Role of Creative-Minority (Rishis) in Changing the Political Vision of Ruling Class towards Peaceful Co-existence. Mushtaq Tawseef1, PhD, Research scholars, Rashid Haroon2, PhD, Research scholars 1Department of History, University of Kashmir. 2Department of History, University of Kashmir. Abstract Kashmir had remained the abode of different religious traditions from ancient times. It had witnessed Naga, Vedic, Buddhist, Vishnavite, Trika-Shavite religions. It was only in the 14th century that Muslim rule made its entry in the Valley of Kashmir. Within a short span of time majority of the inhabitants accepted the faith of Islam and the credit for mass conversion goes to the sufis, both indigenous and foreign. But at the very inception the message of Islam, as preached by the sayyids, created an environment in which a large section of population had to face the wrath of the rulers because of lack of mutual understanding. Now the need of the hour was to bridge the gap between the ruler and the ruled and the response to this challenge was given by indigenous sufis called Rishis. The endeavor of this paper is to highlight the role of ‘creative minority’ (rishis) in giving response to the challenge which ultimately resulted in changing the vision of the ruler and ruled towards peaceful co-existence. Top Keywords Kashmir, Religion, Peaceful co-existence, Rishis, Zain-ul-Abidin. Top |