ABSTRACT
A review of the scope and general analysis of the processes involved in the growth of state formation and its functioning in medieval Kashmir, makes it amply dear that this region had become a rich productive area, perfectly capable of maintaining a viable independent regime much before the birth of the Christian era. The Buddhists could not compete with the Brahminical elements in establishing their indispensability, nor could they maintain an earthly domination of the ruling class. Although the Brahmins came to markedly occupy a significant position through their efforts in organizing social relationships, the nature of the state-society relations established by them was in the long run destructive to the region’s economic development. The Mughals discovered that depending on religion alone for legitimizing purposes, fostered a form of state-society relationship which did not help in any economic activity affecting the majority of the populace.
