Purigpa In Kargil:
The name Purig was derived from pod-rigs the famous name of Purang when Kashmir ruler left Zanskar the king of Purang attack it as a consequence the original inhabitant of Zanskar were defeated soon after this news reached Purig the Purigpas applied to Purang to send either a king of his son as their rescuer. In the meantime king Khigum Bstan-po the ruler of Tibet was murdered by one of his minister and his three son took refuge in Kangpo. It was the middle son Gna-khar who went to Purang and it was eventually in 155 AD that he was has a Tibetan Affiliation Kargil was initially named pod-Rigs although his descendent ruler purig for a long time some of the Land was later captured by Tha-Tha-Khan.
Islam in Kargil Ladakh:
In the year 1446 Syeed Mohmmad Noor Baksh came to Purig via Baltistan and stayed there for around six months, it was during this period Islam gained popularity in the Purig region. In Baroo kargil a huge Khanka was constructed roughly in the same period Albet who constructed the mosque is not known.syeed Mohmmad Noor Baksh Attempts to popularize Islam were successfully followed by Mir Syeed Hussain.
Mir Syeed Hussain after spending a glorious time in purig eventually died in this region. People still pay homage to him in his Astana that is located in Youkmakaharboo Kargil.
Thi Namgyal the king of Suru Karchay married Gyal Khatoon the sister of king of skardoo, Shah Murad.
This was allowed only when Thi Namgyal vowed to make his son follow Islam, Akhoon Mohmmad Sultan, Gyail Khatoon Finally Constructed a mosque in Karchay for Which expert were summoned from Kashmir this remain the oldest Islam religious structure in the village.
Thi Mohmmad was as named as Nam-kha-cho he made route from kishtiwar to suru karchay and polo ground in Kishtwar. After his name but there was nobody to succeed his sister Zilaa Khatoon married to Buddish king with Nima Namgyal called from Leh to represent as the king of Suru Karchaay. After their governor rule till 1834 and then dogra army conqured purig many mosques and Khar were destroyed by dogras rule.
Zugi Ragos grandson Ragyal ruled purig from 1345-1400 his brother chos Bumde ruled from 1400-1430 their father died when both of them remarried to Kara Zangi as he used to torture both the son so they leaving and went to Kashmir .they asked then the king of Kashmir to help and he helped them and they could conquer Purig with his help and ruled over king of Kashmir daughter Ganga Rani was married to Rgyal some of the army men of Kashmiris ruled who came to help Gyal settled in Kargil of Mulbek they had built mosque named as Khachay Masjid.
During Kunga Namgyal reign Jamyang Namgyal conquered Wakah Mulbek which became part of Ladakh of Kargil kunga Namgyal became friend with Baltistan Askardoo king Shia Murrat sister Gyal Khatoon and his son soul adopted in Islam.
Syed Mir Hashim Tomb at Karpokhar Sankoo:
Sankoo apart from its adventurous prospects is also known for its religious importance the site of sanku possesses a holy shrine which is dedicated to the Guru of local Suru faith Thi Namgyal the guru is believed to conversion into an Islamic follower as early as 16th century Buddhism and Muslim sect are known to have peacefully inhabited the land of Sankoo for many long decades.
Syed Mir Hashim one of the popular Muslim scholar and a saint too steeped into Sankoo Karchay to expansion the message of brotherhood among the local people of Karchay.
Sayed Mir Hashim a Islamic preacher and scholar came to Suru Karchay upon invitation from Thi Namgyal a Buddhist king of Purig Karchay,king had one of Muslim queen Rgyal Khatoon also known as Thi Lah Khatoon wanted him to educate and train their son Thi Mohammad Sultan in 17th century.
Sayed Mir Hashim is decedent Mir Shamsuddin Iraqi who came to Kashmir to preach Islamic teachings and made lots of followers, He came to the Suru with his disciple Akhoon Fazil, due to their teachings and training Thi Mohammad Sultan became a popular king and worked to spread Islam in the valley.
He was then invited by King of Wakha Regyalde Cho on the birth of his son Babar Khan to bless the newly born, after staying for some time and preaching Islam he left Akhoon Fazil at Wakha and return to Suru Karchay and stayed here till his death, his Tomb is located at Karpo Kharon near a small town name Sankoo in Suru valley 42 km from Kargil. It is a shrine with great reverence for the people of Kargil in Ladakh.
Buddhism and Muslim sect are known to have peacefully inhabited the land of Sankoo for many long decades. Syed Mir Hashim one of the popular muslim scholar and a saint too steeped into Sankoo Karchay to expansion the message of brotherhood among the local people of Karchay.
Tomb of Akhon Mohammad Sharif at Stangkung Sankoo:
This is the tomb of that pious teacher Akhone Mohammad Sharief of Skardu Baltistan who had entered Kargil in the 16th century along with Princess Rgyal Khatoon to teach and preach Islam.
During 1550 AD to 1580 AD, the kingdom of Suru Kartsey was ruled by a Bhudhist king Kunga Namgial. For the sovereignty and stability of his kingdom, he had developed friendly relations with the contemporary kingdoms of Kashmir and Baltistan. He intended to tie the matrimonial cord of his son and successor with Rgyal Khatoon -the wise and well chartered sister of King Shah Murad of Skardoo, Baltistan and offered for the relation. King Shah Murad agreed to this matrimony with the condition that their posterity will follow Islam and the king would not interfere or cause any hurdle in the way of preaching of Islam within his kingdom. The king Kunga Namgial willingly agreed to the condition and the customary marriage was conducted with great pomp and show.
The Maqpon king of Baltistan sent off the renowned pious teacher and orator Akhon Mohammad Sharief to teach and propagate Islam in the Purig land of Kargil in the company of Rgial Khatoon.
On reaching Kargil, Akhon Sharief choose the place of Stangkung Sankoo for his living in the vicinity of palace Karcheykhar.He then got probably the first historical Mosque constructed in the village of Stagnkung with the help of artisans from Baltistan. He started preaching of Islam from there. He visited door to door in the villages in Suru Kartsey teaching and preaching Islam to the people. The people were greatly motivated and embraced Islam in groups.
He served Islam tirelessly in the region till the end of his life and was burried in the place on his demise. Thus, he is believed to be the first and foremost preacher of Islam in the Purig land of Kargil.
Historical Monument in Suru Valley:
There are many Historical Monuments in Sankoo including Karpokar-e-Astana, Imam Bargah Stayangkoung Imam Bargah Trespone Saliskote etc. it is very picturesquely on a steep cliff on the bank of tributary to the Indus many door and windows are decorated with artistic wood carving it was built by Tsering Malik of Gasho dynasty before 1550 AD.
By Mansoor Hosan Beigh
(He can be mailed on [email protected])
