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  • Category: General
    Points:5

    Differentiate between myth and evidence-based fact: Know about Amarnath cave

    While studying any subject scientifically, we must be very careful to differentiate between myth and evidence. The same is true for history education also. Let me cite a specific case.

    While studying history, Indian children are consistently told that Amarnath cave was discovered in the year 1850 by a Muslim shepherd, whose name was Buta Malik. Using this story, the family-members of Buta Malik were installed as guards of the Amarnath cave for many decades, and most importantly, the family kept receiving one-third of the offerings made by the devotees here. This continued until 2000.

    But what does the historical evidence tell us in this regard? Let us see.

    During British period, An English Traveller Godfrey Thomas Vigne, talked about Amarnath Yatra in his book "Travels in Kashmir, Ladak, Iskardo, the countries adjoining the mountain-course of the Indus, and the Himalaya, north of the Panjab" in 1842, eight years earlier than the so-called discovery of the cave by the shepherd, Buta Malik.

    Shri Amarnath is a 'teerth sthal' (place of pilgrimage) which is in continuous existence from ancient times, and the Amarnath Shivalinga is clearly and specifically mentioned in : 
    (a) Linga-purana, chapter 12, verse 151; 
    (b) "Rajatarangini" by Kalhan written in the eleventh century, verse 267; 
    (c) "Ain-i-Akbari" by Akbar's court historian, Abul Fazl, page 360; and
    (d)"Travels in the Mughal Empire" written by Francois Bernier, a French physician at the time of Aurangzeb, page 480.

    Time has come to bust the myth created by the so-called agenda-driven, secular historians regarding the Amarnath cave and the imaginary story of discovery of the sacred cave by a Muslim shepherd.
  • #774726

    Points:4
    Well written by the author. Myths and facts to be differentiated. Unfortunately in India in many cases, we hear myths only but not the facts. I think many of the facts were buried and only myths were given more propaganda.
    Recently when Chandrayan was successful, the chairman of ISRO was also telling that many scientific truths are there in Vedas and other Sanskrit books. Some of the foreigners are taking these inputs from there and rewriting them in English and claiming them as their inventions.
    In the same many facts about Indian History are hidden. The myth about the Amaranth cave is an example of such issues and as mentioned by the author,
    drrao
    always confident

  • #774734

    Points:4
    Well documented by the author. We need to differentiate between the myths and facts. There are many instances where myths occupy the supreme position leaving behind the facts in the backseats. People are often confused between these two terms and as a result some of the myths appearing in old manuscripts are considered as the facts but such events lack evidence.
    In the present situation, translation from one language to the other is not difficult and from our old texts of Sanskrit many texts have been copied to provide the same the real colours.

  • #774735

    Points:1
    Sirs: I think what I tried to convey in this post and what you have interpreted, are not exactly same.
    (a) Those who have forgotten Noakhali, how can they protest Sandeshkhali?
    (b) Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it. ---------- Salvador Dali

  • #774737

    Points:4
    The author has gone in details and given a correct information about the Amarnath cave based on the historical facts. Everything is recorded in the history correctly and we have to only open our eyes to search for the correct information at the right place.
    Unfortunately, in our country we were under the Mughal Empire for a long period followed by the British rule. During that period many things were interpreted in a different way as the original Indians had little to say in any matter. All the errors and mistakes in our history happened at that time and many of us do not have any track of the correct information on many matters.
    Knowledge is power.

  • #774743

    Points:5
    I took some interest in going through the references cited by the author and did not find anything related to Amarnath's Cave. Maybe my cursory glance might have missed the relevant data. This thread being myth versus fact, the author may provide an exact reference. a) Linga-Purana, chapter 12, verse 151, I did not find anything related to the Amarnath cave. c) "Ain-i-Akbari" by Akbar's court historian, Abul Fazl, page 360, I did not find anything. "Travels in the Mughal Empire" written by Francois Bernier, page 480, I did not find anything. The author may give more specific references to prove his claims.

    Whoever might have discovered the Amarnath cave, is not of much interest as we have the Amarnath cave and a Shivlinga formed due to snow. Amarnath yatra and darshan of the Shiva Lingam are at the forefront of many Hindu devotees.
    " Be Good and Do Good "

  • #774745

    Points:1
    I thank KVRR Sir for reading this inconsequential post of mine.

    Presently, little bit busy due to official work and presence of relatives at our residence on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. So, a very brief comment from my side.

    PIB release ID No. 63367 inter-alia states:
    The historians are of the view that the Amarnath pilgrimage existed for thousands of years. Bringesha Samhita, Nilmat Puran, Kalhan's Rajtarengeni etc., have references to this effect.  Bringesha Samhita narrates some of the important places where the pilgrims while going to Shri Amarnath Cave had to perform religious rituals.  They included Anantnaya (Anantnag), Mach Bhawan (Mattan), Ganeshbal (Ganeshpora), Mamleshwar (Mamal), Chandanwari (2,811m), Shushram Nagar (Sheshnag) 3454m, Panjtarangeni (Panjturni) 3845m and Amravati. 

    Kalhana's Rajtarungini Tarang II has the legend of Kashmir ruler Samdimat (34 BC- 17 AD), who as a great devotee of Shiva "used to worship linga of snow above the forests, which is not found anywhere in the world except during the delightful Kashmir summers". Kalhana has also mentioned that Sushram Naga (Sheshnag) is seen by pilgrims to Areshvara (Amarnath) to this day (i.e., 1148-49 A.D.).  Nilmat Puran has reference to Amreshvara suggesting that the Shrine was known in 6th/7th century. 

    One of the greatest Muslim rulers of Kashmir, Zain-ul-abdin (1420-70 A.D.), fondly remembered by Kashmiris as "Badshah", visited the Amarnath cave which has been documented by his chronicler Jonaraja. 

    Akbar's historian Abul-Fazal (16th century) in Ain-i-Akbari" recorded, "Amarnath is considered a shrine of great sanctity.  When the new moon rises from her throne of rays, a bubble as it were of ice is formed in the cave which daily increases little by little for 15 days till it is formed higher than two yards…...  With waning of moon, likewise begins to decrease till no trace of it remains when the moon disappears".  

    Vincent A smith, author of the Oxford History of India, while editing 2nd edition of Bernier's book commented that the cave "full of wonderful coagulations is the Amarnath cave where blocks of ice stalagmites formed by dripping water from the roof are worshipped by the Hindus, who resort here as images of Shiva". 

    Vigne Bernier Montgomery in his book 'Travels in Kashmir, Ladakh and Iskardu" (1842) says that the ceremony at the cave of Amarnath takes place on 15th Sawan and not only Kashmir Hindus but also from Hindustan of every rank and cast "can be seen travelling up the valley of Lidar towards the celebrated cave". Swami Vivekananda undertook pilgrimage to Amarnath cave on 8th August in 1898 and later recounted, "I thought the Ice Lingam was Shiva himself and there were no thievish Brahmins, no trade, nothing wrong.  It was all worship. I have never seen anything so beautiful, so inspiring and enjoyed any religious place so much". 

    In his book "Valley of Kashmir", Lawrence says that Brahmins from Mattan would join the Amarnath pilgrims and later at Batkut, Maliks would take charge as they were responsible for maintaining the track, act as guide, carry the sick, old and ensure safety of life and belongings of pilgrims.  For this they received one-third of the offerings at the Shrine. Brahmins of Mattan, Darmarth Trust (a religious body looking after various Hindu shrines in Jammu  Kashmir) and Giri Mahants of Amritsar, who carry the "Chhari Mubarik" at the head of the main pilgrimage to this day since the advent of Sikh rule in Kashmir, receive the remaining share of offerings.

    All these evidences conclusively prove that the tehory being fed by the so-called marxist historians to our school-going children that a Muslim shepherd Buta Malik discovered the cave in 1850, is a blatant lie.

    So, it is highly illogical ( to put it mildly) to appoint the family-members of Buta Malik as guards of Shri Amarnathji shrine. And we must oppose giving one-third of the donations received from the pilgrims to those family-members of Buta Malik working as guards of the sacred shrine of Hindus.

    (If I find time, I will give further references later.)
    (a) Those who have forgotten Noakhali, how can they protest Sandeshkhali?
    (b) Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it. ---------- Salvador Dali

  • #774816

    Points:2
    See, myths are the widely believed anecdotes and stories of the past which were generally used to explain any phenomenon (mostly natural ones). On the other hand, facts are info which are proved or are known to be true.

  • #774820

      

    Points:4
    I would like to ask the author whether there is a possibility that Amarnath cave could have gone into oblivion at some stage due to different reasons and was later discovered by chance by a Muslim shepherd. Whether it was discovered by a Muslim shepherd is, according to me, immaterial, as KVRR has said. The point is that the shrine which was there for centuries had been forgotten and had got hidden (physically and mentally) due to the environmental and climatic conditions prevalent in Jammu, and the same was discovered later by a shepherd when he went to feed his animals. After all, to discover simply means to find something that is already in existence but is hidden or not known to all. So what is all this about myth and evidence? His family might have been given some rights by the rulers then and I think such practices were in vogue during that period unlike now.
    'Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all'.
    -Aristotle

  • #774821

    Points:1
    Saji Sir, pranaam !

    Before posting my inconsequential view on your erudite comments at #774820, I would humbly request you consider deleting 'some naughty pictures' or 'Adults-only contents' type which are appearing as advertisement along with this particular post.

    I would be grateful.
    (a) Those who have forgotten Noakhali, how can they protest Sandeshkhali?
    (b) Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it. ---------- Salvador Dali

  • #774822

    Points:1
    Saji Sir has stated: "Whether it was discovered by a Muslim shepherd is, according to me, immaterial, as KVRR has said."------------------In my humble opinion, this is extremely important (material) because by virtue of this false propaganda, the descendants of Buta Malik (that Muslim shepherd) have enjoyed 1/3rd of the 'pranamis' donated by the disciples. His descendants also managed to work as guards of the sacred Hindu shrine upto 2000.

    We must take on this false propaganda being spread by the so-called secularists.
    (a) Those who have forgotten Noakhali, how can they protest Sandeshkhali?
    (b) Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it. ---------- Salvador Dali

  • #774824

      

    Points:5
    #774821, I will request Tony sir to look into it. But I think the ads appear automatically depending on your searches in the net.

    And Partha, the adjective erudite does not suit me or my responses. I am a humble soul with very little knowledge.

    #774822, so what? Was the privilege sought by them or forcefully obtained? It must have been granted to them as a matter of courtesy by the then rulers of Jammu who, if I am not mistaken, were Hindus. And why rake up this issue now when nothing untoward had happened?

    Coming from a state where Vavar swamy ( a Muslim friend of Lord Aiyyappa) is worshipped before climbing the Eighteen steps to Lord Aiyyappa's sanctum-sanctorum, I don't find anything that needs to be discussed so seriously in this case. Amarnath cave is still visited as Lord Shiva's shrine and has not been converted.

    Why can't we see the positive side that despite being Muslims, the descendants of Buta Malik had been guarding the shrine and maintaining it's sanctity? Call me liberal or secular or whatever, I would like to see things in that perspective only.

    But, Partha, do you think you have answered my query about myth and evidence based facts? I don't think. Please look into it and clarify.
    'Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all'.
    -Aristotle

  • #774825

    Points:1
    Sir, I think I have provided enough evidences to prove that Amarnath cave is being visited by devotees for more than 1000 years. I have some more pictures/evidences on this issue which may be considered boring by those who have no interest in history. These evidences prove that even during the Mughal (Islamic) period, the Shri Amarnath Yatra continued despite various problems. So, it is incorrect to state that one Buta Malik suddenly discovered the cave when he took his sheep for grazing.

    I would also like to request you (and KVRR Sir) most benignly to let me know whether you are really interested to know the true facts, or you want to believe blindly wht the so-called marxist (small m) historians feed us for their own agenda.

    According to these so-called historians: "You don't know it (Amarnath cave) was lost, but we are telling you it was lost, so it was lost."

    [I will be out of station for the next four days to visit a place where internet connectivity is very poor; so I would be silent during this period despite possible instigations.]
    (a) Those who have forgotten Noakhali, how can they protest Sandeshkhali?
    (b) Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it. ---------- Salvador Dali

  • #774826

    Points:5
    I agree with the views expressed by Saji. Whoever might have discovered the Amarnath cave, was re-discovered by Buta Malik. He and his descendants made a significant contribution to the yatra by taking care of pilgrims.

    The PIB release also says the historians supporting the historicity of Amarnath pilgrims say that the Yatra may have been discontinued for a period of about three hundred years from the middle of the 14th century owing to turbulence following foreign invasions of Kashmir valley and migrations of Hindus from there. Some historians say the cave was rediscovered in the summer of 1869 and the first formal pilgrimage to the holy cave was organized three years later in 1872 accompanied by the Maliks.

    Despite militancy during the past two decades in Kashmir valley, Amarnath Yatra has been going on uninterrupted. This year itself more than 1.7 lakh pilgrims had already visited the cave till the writing of this article. This has been possible mainly due to the cooperation and support of local Muslims to the Yatra.

    Whatever the historians may have to say about the historicity of the Amarnath Yatra, the fact is that it not only a great bondage between the Hindu pilgrims and local Muslims who facilitated the Yatra but has maintained a deep relationship in thought and aspiration between Kashmir and other parts of India that has existed for thousands of years. Nationally revered Tamil poet Subramanya Bharathi was so much inspired by this bondage that he proclaimed Kashmir as the Crown of Mother India and Kanyakumari as lotus at her feet. (PIB Features)
    " Be Good and Do Good "

  • #774828

      

    Points:2
    #774825, Enough evidence? My query is about your averment regarding myth and evidence based fact. I will wait for a convincing answer till you are back and is connected to the net. There is no point in bringing up a topic and going around the bush. My question is clear. Answer it straight if you want to/ can or leave it.
    'Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all'.
    -Aristotle

  • #774867

    Points:1
    Read comments at #774825, #774826 and #774828 after quite a long time. There is a delay in replying from my side. I express regret for this unintentional delay.

    (a) I have many proofs, evidence which have forced me to believe that Amarnath cave has been into existence for a very very long time.
    (b) The visit to the cave (by the pilgrims) has never been discontinued. It continued even during the dark age of Kashmir, i.e. during the regressive Islamic rule.
    (c) On the basis of these evidence, I think that what the so-called leftist historians say about Buta Malik (the Muslim shepherd), is nothing but a sickular, feel-good, juvenile, imaginary story. This story is a myth consciously created by anti-India gang.
    (d) Unfortunately, the proofs, evidence available with me cannot be completely shared in this site because of various restrictions applicable here. I have already mentioned some of these proofs in my earlier responses.

    Finally, I would like to challenge those members who support the 'Buta Malik myth' to conclusively prove that Buta discovered the sacred cave. Is there any evidence, any 'firman' from the Dogra king at that time? Is there any reliable treatise of any British official or a foreign traveller of that period (1850)?

    In this connection, I make it crystal clear that I don't believe even a single word written by the Vipan-Romila-Irfan-Jha gang of writers (not historians).
    (a) Those who have forgotten Noakhali, how can they protest Sandeshkhali?
    (b) Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it. ---------- Salvador Dali

  • #774868

      

    Points:2
    Partha, please refer to your statement at #774822 regarding the descendants of Buta Malik being given 1/3rd share of the offerings by the devotees and serving as guards of the Shrine. Could you tell us since when was it started?

    Let me tell you that as per my knowledge, the Cave was rediscovered (and not discovered) by Buta Malik. Please note that the agenda behind creating a confusion between discovery and rediscovery is something that may not be digested by people whom you call as 'liberals'. And why challenge people who have a different opinion? Since it is you who have brought up the topic, I think it rests upon you to prove that your contention is right.
    'Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all'.
    -Aristotle

  • #774869

    Points:3
    In historical matters like the Amarnath cave, it's essential to rely on credible evidence rather than myths. While the popular story attributes its discovery to a Muslim shepherd in 1850, historical records suggest its existence dating back much earlier, even before the 19th century. These records mention the cave and its significance in various texts, highlighting its ancient heritage. So, it's prudent to consider the historical evidence when discussing such topics.

  • #774870

      

    Points:3
    #774869, No one is disputing the fact that the Amarnath Cave and the Shivling was discovered ages before the entry of Buta Malik into the picture. Some epics depict the discovery of the Cave way back to 1400 BC and says that it was one Bhrigu Rishi who discovered the Shrine and the Shivling. I don't think anyone has said that Buta Malik was the first to discover this cave. The dispute is on the confusion being created by the use of the word 'discovered' in place of 'rediscovered'.
    'Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all'.
    -Aristotle

  • #774872

    Points:1
    I clearly state that there is no proper historical evidence regarding re-discovery of the sacred Shri Amarnath cave by one Buta Malik in 1850. Nobody can show any 'firman' or any other recorded narration to show that the shepherd re-discovered the cave in 1850.

    On the contrary, there are enough evidence and proofs that the 'darshan' of Shri Amarnath-ji continued even during the Muslim rule in the medieval period. There is at least one painting to show that Mughal rulers acknowledged the grand presence of the cave.

    The Buta Malik character is a myth created by the gang of leftist (so-called) historians to create a false narrative of Hindu-Muslim unity in Kashmir. The present generation is no longer ready to accept the myth.

    I end my argument here. No farther comments from me on this issue.

    Thanks to all!
    (a) Those who have forgotten Noakhali, how can they protest Sandeshkhali?
    (b) Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it. ---------- Salvador Dali

  • #774873

      

    Points:0
    #774872, You did exactly what was expected. Good show.
    'Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all'.
    -Aristotle


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