Kashmiri Hinduism is incredibly ancient, but its history as a minority religion begins with Sikander Butshikan (Sikander the Iconoclast) in the late fourteenth century. A highly intolerant Turkic Sultan, while his predecessors at least accepted Kashmiri Hinduism, Butshikan destroyed Hindu temples and attacked Kashmiri Hindus to the point that many fled into neighbouring kingdoms where they hoped that they would not be so persecuted, and others were forced to convert. Neighbouring Hindu rulers accepted them with open arms, as high literacy rates in Kashmir meant that they were useful as court Brahmins. While his successor proved more tolerant, Kashmiri Hinduism never recovered. It became an increasingly insular religion, scarred by its history of persecution.
Kashmiri Hindus next saw some respite by Akbar, who realized that their high literacy rates made them useful administrators. And so, under Mughal rule, new opportunities emerged and Kashmiri Hindus moved from Kashmir, chasing them. Notably, one Kashmiri Hindu named Raj Kaul moved to Delhi in 1716. He lorded over a canal, and since Kaul is a fairly common name for Kashmiri Pandits, he became nicknamed “Nehru”, after the canal he ruled. Over a century later, and his descendants played a major role in Indian politics, becoming the Nehru-Gandhi family. They played a role in the Rajput, Sikh, and Dogra administrations that followed, and there remained a notable Hindu population in Kashmir until the 1990s, when they were ethnically cleansed by terrorists, with most moving into neighbouring Jammu.
More Kashmiri Hindus probably could have moved outside Kashmir. Their high literacy rates made them a favourite among rulers. Furthermore, there already seems to have been a large merchant subgroup known as Buhirs. Perhaps this means they could have also been a merchant minority, thus taking the place of Parsis, who only emerged in this role under British rule. While Kashmiri Hindus, as a fairly insular community in a highly mountainous region, have the black water taboo which discourages them from travelling along the ocean, there are plenty of court and trade opportunities inland for sure. And as I have noted, there was some movement of Kashmiris down south. As a POD, perhaps a Mughal prince could be given governorship of Kashmir, and gaining military experience from Afghan raids, takes the throne in yet another succession war. In the move to Delhi, perhaps he takes his court Brahmins along with him, bringing about a migration of Hindus.
In all likelihood, Kashmiri Hindus will not be absorbed into the wider community, at least. For one, Kashmiri Hinduism is Shaivite and thus unlike any other Hindu sect outside of South India (where I can’t imagine many Kashmiri Hindus moving, though it would be very interesting to see what Kashmiri Hindus would think of Lingayatism), and most of their scripture is in Kashmiri, in the different Sharada script. Another point is that Kashmiri Hindus are highly insular community as a result of a long history of persecution. Even IOTL, those outside Kashmir married within their group in an effort to keep their culture alive. ITTL, with a higher population outside Kashmir, this will be easier. And finally, high literacy rates will mean that every child learns Kashmiri culture and the Kashmiri language.
So, what if more Kashmiris moved outside Kashmir?
Kashmiri Hindus next saw some respite by Akbar, who realized that their high literacy rates made them useful administrators. And so, under Mughal rule, new opportunities emerged and Kashmiri Hindus moved from Kashmir, chasing them. Notably, one Kashmiri Hindu named Raj Kaul moved to Delhi in 1716. He lorded over a canal, and since Kaul is a fairly common name for Kashmiri Pandits, he became nicknamed “Nehru”, after the canal he ruled. Over a century later, and his descendants played a major role in Indian politics, becoming the Nehru-Gandhi family. They played a role in the Rajput, Sikh, and Dogra administrations that followed, and there remained a notable Hindu population in Kashmir until the 1990s, when they were ethnically cleansed by terrorists, with most moving into neighbouring Jammu.
More Kashmiri Hindus probably could have moved outside Kashmir. Their high literacy rates made them a favourite among rulers. Furthermore, there already seems to have been a large merchant subgroup known as Buhirs. Perhaps this means they could have also been a merchant minority, thus taking the place of Parsis, who only emerged in this role under British rule. While Kashmiri Hindus, as a fairly insular community in a highly mountainous region, have the black water taboo which discourages them from travelling along the ocean, there are plenty of court and trade opportunities inland for sure. And as I have noted, there was some movement of Kashmiris down south. As a POD, perhaps a Mughal prince could be given governorship of Kashmir, and gaining military experience from Afghan raids, takes the throne in yet another succession war. In the move to Delhi, perhaps he takes his court Brahmins along with him, bringing about a migration of Hindus.
In all likelihood, Kashmiri Hindus will not be absorbed into the wider community, at least. For one, Kashmiri Hinduism is Shaivite and thus unlike any other Hindu sect outside of South India (where I can’t imagine many Kashmiri Hindus moving, though it would be very interesting to see what Kashmiri Hindus would think of Lingayatism), and most of their scripture is in Kashmiri, in the different Sharada script. Another point is that Kashmiri Hindus are highly insular community as a result of a long history of persecution. Even IOTL, those outside Kashmir married within their group in an effort to keep their culture alive. ITTL, with a higher population outside Kashmir, this will be easier. And finally, high literacy rates will mean that every child learns Kashmiri culture and the Kashmiri language.
So, what if more Kashmiris moved outside Kashmir?