Unani Medicine in Kashmir: A Historical Perspective

Kashmir, often described as "Paradise on Earth," is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, snow-capped mountains, lush valleys, and pristine lakes. Nestled in the Himalayas, the region has long been a center of culture, trade, and scholarship. Influences from Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam have shaped its intellectual heritage, with the arrival of Sufi saints and Islamic scholars further enriching its traditions. These influences also contributed to the development of traditional medical practices, including the flourishing of Unani medicine.

Early Traditional Medicine in Kashmir

The Kashmir Valley has been home to multitudinous traditional systems of medicine since ancient times. Traditional health practices in Kashmir are as old as the history of the region itself. The mountainous terrain, heavy snowfall from October to March, and isolation of many communities in impenetrable forests meant that people relied heavily on local medicinal resources. Ailments were managed using the valley’s abundant herbal wealth, and Kashmir’s strong historical ties with Central Asia and China ensured an exchange of medical knowledge and interest in the region’s medicinal flora.

In Kalhana’s Rajtarangini (1149-50 A.D.), there are mentions of plant preservation and medicinal uses. The Chinese traveler Huien Tsang, who visited Kashmir, recorded that “Kashmir yields saffron, lenses, and medicinal plants.” Sir Walter Lawrence, in Valley of Kashmir, observed that “Kashmiris turn nearly every plant to some use and attribute medicinal properties to every growing thing.” It is believed that Chakra, a Kashmiri Brahman and the court physician of King Kanishka, was among the early recorded medical practitioners.

Unani medicine is believed to have been introduced to Kashmir well before the Mughal era. During the Muslim rule, several Brahmin physicians gained prominence, including Narasimhu (Sultan Shams-ud-Din’s era), Madananga (Sultan Qutub-ud-Din’s reign), and the most famous, Sri Bhutt, who served Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin (Budshah). Zain-ul-Abidin invited Persian scholars and Hakims (physicians), leading to the formal establishment of Unani medicine in Kashmir. This period saw the systematic cultivation of medicinal herbs and documentation of medical knowledge.

Unani Medicine Under Mughal Rule

With the Mughal conquest of Kashmir in 1586, Unani medicine reached new heights. Mughal emperors, particularly Akbar and Jahangir, integrated Unani medical knowledge into state healthcare, promoting its practice alongside Ayurveda and folk medicine. The region’s rich flora, including plants such as saffron (Crocus sativus), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), and kuth (Saussurea costus), provided essential ingredients for Unani formulations.

Several Unani physicians traveled to Kashmir during this time. The first recorded Kashmiri Unani physician of the Mughal period was Khwaja Abdullah Ghazi, who acquired his medical education from Hakim Danishmand Khan of Delhi. The Mughal gardens in Kashmir also served as centers for botanical studies, with collections of medicinal plants used by Hakims to develop and refine therapeutic treatments.

Decline and Revival During Afghan, Sikh, and Dogra Rule

The Afghan period (1751–1819) saw political instability, leading to a decline in organized medical institutions. However, Unani medicine continued to thrive in private practice, with knowledge passed down through generations of Hakims.

The Sikh rulers (1819–1846) and Dogra Maharajas (1846–1947) played a significant role in reviving traditional medicine in Kashmir. Maharaja Ranbir Singh established a Translation Bureau under the charge of the learned Hakim Mohammad Baqir. This bureau was responsible for translating Tibb-i-Unani texts from Arabic, Latin, Persian, and Dogri, ensuring the transmission of Unani medical knowledge.

20th-Century Developments and Institutionalization

During the 20th century, Unani medicine in Kashmir saw formal recognition and development. Col. Sir R.N. Chopra, a pioneer of drug research, recorded in 1942 that “nearly three-fourths of the drugs used in the pharmacopoeias of the world grow in a state of nature in Jammu and Kashmir, and as many as 42 essential oil-bearing plants are grown in the State.”

In 1937, the Jammu & Kashmir Unani Tibbi Conference (J&K UTC) was established, playing a crucial role in the development of Unani medicine in the region. Their efforts led to the establishment of several Unani dispensaries and health centers. Today, there are 219 government-run Unani dispensaries operating under the Directorate of ISM & H.

Post-Independence Era and the Establishment of RRIUM, Srinagar

After India’s independence in 1947, Unani medicine received formal recognition from the Government of India under the AYUSH system (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy). This led to the institutionalization of Unani medicine and the establishment of research and education centers.

A significant milestone in the development of Unani medicine in Kashmir was the establishment of the Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine (RRIUM), Srinagar, at Dargah Hazratbal. Developed under the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), a body under the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, RRIUM has played a crucial role in advancing Unani medicine through research, clinical trials, and traditional knowledge preservation.

The selection of Dargah Hazratbal, one of the holiest shrines in Kashmir, as the location for RRIUM adds historical and spiritual significance to the institute. The shrine has long been a center of intellectual and medical discourse, attracting scholars, researchers, and patients seeking holistic healthcare solutions.

Contributions of RRIUM, Srinagar

RRIUM has been instrumental in:

Conducting scientific research on Unani formulations and their efficacy.
Exploring the pharmacology of medicinal plants native to Kashmir.
Standardizing traditional Unani medicines through rigorous testing.
Providing clinical services to patients using Unani therapies.
Training a new generation of Unani physicians and researchers.

The institute continues to bridge the gap between traditional medicine and modern healthcare by integrating Unani principles with contemporary scientific research. Its work in documenting the medicinal properties of Kashmiri flora has contributed significantly to the global recognition of Unani medicine as a viable alternative healthcare system.