Jammu & Kashmir : Relevance of Name

The literal meaning of Kashmir is "desiccated land" derived from Sanskrit language – “Ka” means water and “shimeera” means desiccate. The history of Kashmir has been mentioned in Rajtarangini, a book about the history of Kashmir written in 12th century. In Rajtarangini, it is stated that the valley of Kashmir was formerly a lake. Kashyapa, a great rishi or sage drained this lake and produced a land by cutting the gap in the hills at Baramulla. He then advised the Brahmins to settle there. The dwellings in the valley were then called Kashyapa Pura. The land is therefore also called Kashyapamar.