<P> In the 14th century, Islam gradually became the dominant religion in Kashmir . Islamic preacher Sheikh Nooruddin Noorani, who is traditionally revered by Hindus as Nund Rishi, combined elements of Kashmir Shaivism with Sufi mysticism in his discourses . The Sultans between 1354--1470 CE were tolerant of other religions with the exception of Sultan Sikandar (1389--1413 CE). Sultan Sikandar imposed taxes on non--Muslims, forced conversions to Islam, and earned the title But--Shikan for destroying idols . Sultan Zain - ul - Abidin (c. 1420--1470 CE) invited artists and craftsmen from Central Asia and Persia to train local artists in Kashmir . Under his rule the arts of wood carving, papier - mâché, shawl and carpet weaving prospered . For a brief period in 1470s, states of Jammu, Poonch and Rajauri which paid tributes to Kashmir revolted against the Sultan Hajji Khan . However, they were subjugated by his son Hasan Khan who took over as ruler in 1472 CE . By the mid 16th century, Hindu influence in the courts and role of the Hindu priests had declined as Muslim missionaries immigrated into Kashmir from Central Asia and Persia, and Persian replaced Sanskrit as the official language . Around the same period, the nobility of Chaks had become powerful enough to unseat the Shah Mir dynasty . </P> <P> Mughal general Mirza Muhammad Haidar Dughlat, a member of ruling family in Kashgar, invaded Kashmir in c. 1540 CE on behalf of emperor Humayun . Persecution of Shias, Shafi'is and Sufis and instigation by Suri kings led to a revolt which overthrew Dughlat's rule in Kashmir . </P> <P> Kashmir did not witness direct Mughal rule till the reign of Mughal padshah (emperor) Akbar the Great, who visited the valley himself in 1589 CE . The Mughal conquered Kashmir and added it in 1586 to his Afghan province Kabul Subah, but Shah Jahan carved it out as a separate subah (imperial top - level province), with seat at Srinagar . During successive Mughal emperors many celebrated gardens, mosques and palaces were constructed . Religious intolerance and discriminatory taxation reappeared when Mughal emperor Aurangzeb ascended to the throne in 1658 CE . After his death, the influence of the Mughal Empire declined . </P> <P> In 1700 CE, a servant of a wealthy Kashmir merchant brought Mo - i Muqqadas (the hair of the Prophet), a relic of Muhammad, to the valley . The relic was housed in the Hazratbal Shrine on the banks of Dal Lake . Nadir Shah's invasion of India in 1738 CE further weakened Mughal control over Kashmir . </P>

Kashmir was a part of which mughal province