International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

Agrarian Foundations and Urban Networks: Understanding the Rural–Urban Continuum of Ancient Kashmir.

Abstract This study examines the rural-urban continuum in ancient Kashmir, emphasizing how a productive agrarian base supported urban centers, market towns, and religious sites. Rice cultivation, boosted by state-led irrigation projects such as those under engineer Suyya during King Avantivarman’s reign, formed the economic foundation. High-value crops, such as saffron and grapes, have added to the wealth and trade. Urban centers, including Srinagara and newer cities such as Parihasapura and Avantipura, were strategically positioned to capitalize on agricultural output and trade routes. Market towns, such as Patan, linked rural areas to major transit routes. The rural-urban relationship was governed through administrative divisions such as Visayas and Parganas, with powerful feudal landowners managing the fertile districts. Religious sites scattered across the landscape connect urban and rural populations, serving as cultural and economic hubs supported by land grants. The flow of resources from rural to urban areas enabled the construction of grand temples and cities, reflecting the wealth and political power derived from agriculture. This system illustrates ancient Kashmir as a complex, integrated network, rather than a simple rural-urban divide.