HISTORY OF CASHMIR. 83 



highly probable also that it was the original dominion of the Pdndara 

 princes, and that it famished in them, Sovereigns to the plains of Hin- 

 di, stan. 



The religion of Cashmir has in like manner been Hindu from a very 

 remote date. Originally no doubt it was the Ophite or snake worship, 

 but this is a part of the Hindu ritual, and the Ndgas are included in the 

 orthodox pantheon: the adoration of Siva was soon ingrafted upon this, 

 even if the two rites were not originally identified. 



It appears that the Bauddha schism was known in Cashmir at a very early 

 period, and possibly preceded the introduction of a fully organized Brah- 

 manical priesthood : it probably in short preceded the introduction of the 

 Brahmanical caste. Asoca, although a worshipper of Siva, is said to have 

 .countenanced this new faith. His son J a log a commenced his reign with se- 

 rious efforts to suppress it, and it was possibly partly with this view, that he 

 introduced the colony of Brahmans from Canouj .Towards the close of his 

 reign however he relaxed in his hostility to the Bauddhists, and his succes- 

 sor, although a pious worshipper of Siva, appears to have participated in th£ 

 same feeling. The legend of Damodara's transformation, indicates his 

 having incurred the enmity of the Brahmanical order. 



r 



The period that immediately ensues, is of great interest in the religious 

 Jrlistory of India. Cashmir became a Bauddha country under Tartar princes, 

 shortly after the death of Sdcya Sinha, according to our author, and he 

 agrees nearly with the Chinese authorities, as to the period at which 

 that legislator flourished, and according to them, in this very country. 

 The latter seems to be an error ; it may however indicate the direction where 

 •the birth of the elder Buddha happened, and in connexion with the circum- 

 stances narrated by the Sanscrit writer, seems to point out an extra-In- 



