ZAIN-UL-ABIDIN’S REGIN: A GOLDEN ERA OF PEACE, PROSPERITY AND PROGRESS IN KASHMIR

Zain-ul-Abidin, also known as Bud Shah, was a notable king of Kashmir who ushered in a period of peace, prosperity, and benevolent rule for nearly half a century. He was a liberal ruler who established peace in his kingdom and promoted the welfare of his subjects. During his reign, Muslim rule firmly established its roots in Kashmir, and he became the harbinger of new thoughts and ideas. He encouraged the arts, literature, and music, and his court was a hub of culture and creativity. Zain-ul-Abidin was deeply committed to the development of Kashmir and took great interest in the developmental programs in all aspects of life. He undertook tours to different parts of the country to find out the condition of the people and how his officers were carrying out the administration. Zain-ul-Abidin's legacy is still remembered in Kashmir today, and he is revered as one of the greatest kings of the region. Hence an attempt has been made in this research article to trace the social, cultural and political development of the region during the period of Sultan Zain ul Abidin.

development of silver and copperware, papier mache, woodwork and carving, and Khatam band, which is a form of marquetry. He introduced the art of making pashmina shawls, which were woven from the wool of the Himalayan mountain goat and were highly prized for their softness and warmth.
The Pashmina shawls of Kashmir became famous throughout the world and are still highly valued today. Another significant contribution of the Sultan was the establishment of the first paper industry in India in Kashmir. The Sultan introduced the art of papermaking, which was then unknown in India. The paper produced in Kashmir was of high quality and was in great demand throughout the region. Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin's contributions to the arts and crafts of Kashmir were significant and enduring. His patronage of the arts led to the development of a thriving handicraft industry, which continues to flourish in Kashmir to this day.

Religious Policy
Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin, also known as Budshah the great king of Kashmir, was a ruler who promoted religious tolerance and coexistence in Kashmir during his reign from 1420 to 1470. He was the son of Sultan Sikandar Butshikan, who was known for his policies of religious persecution and forced conversions. Zain-ul-Abidin, however, took a different approach and sought to promote harmony and mutual respect among people of different faiths. He abolished the Jizya tax, which had been imposed on non-Muslims, and allowed Hindus to build their temples and follow their own laws. He also supported Sufi saints who preached a message of love and tolerance, and encouraged interfaith dialogue and understanding.Under his reign, Kashmir flourished both culturally and economically. He is credited with promoting the arts, literature, and music, and creating an environment of peace and prosperity that attracted scholars, poets, and artists from across the region. He is also credited with inspiring the genesis of Kashmiriyat, a unique cultural ethos that emphasizes religious harmony and a distinct Kashmiri identity.Zain-ul-Abidin is remembered as a ruler who embodied the ideals of religious tolerance and mutual respect, and whose legacy continues to inspire people in Kashmir and beyond to work towards a more peaceful and harmonious society.

Public Works
Budshah, or Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin, was a great ruler who founded many towns, built magnificent palaces, and constructed artificial islands in lakes and rivers. He also showed great concern for the welfare of his people, building dispensaries and providing free medicines, preventing illegal taxes, and promoting agriculture through the development of irrigation systems and the building of canals. His reign saw significant progress in the fields of education, literature, art and craft, public works, and agriculture. While he faced challenges, such as a famine and floods, and rebellion from his own sons in his later years, his legacy as a benevolent ruler who improved the material prosperity of his people lives on to this day. He is remembered with genuine reverence and gratitude, and his name is still spoken with admiration in Kashmir.

Conclusion
Zain-ul-Abidin's significant contribution to Kashmir was his encouragement and patronage towards the common people, which led to a tremendous development in the Valley. He transformed Kashmir into an industrial garden and made significant progress in education, literature, art and craft, public works, agriculture, and irrigation. Zain-ul-Abidin possessed a broad and tolerant outlook and ruled with equity and justice, improving the material prosperity of his people. His benevolent rule demands special homage as he lived in a period with no worthy and enlightened contemporary to emulate. Zain-ul-Abidin was deservedly surnamed Budshah or the great king, and his name is still remembered with genuine reverence and gratitude six centuries later. His tomb at Zaina Kadal is a testament to his acts of benevolence, and even today, cart pullers and boat rowers sing in chorus in his memory.