Upto 1339 AD (The Hindu Rajas)

Very little information is available about the ancient Hindu Rajas that ruled Kashmir.   According to Kalhana's Rajtarangi, Gonanda I ascended the throne and established the monarchial system of government.  Throughout this period Kashmir was free (apart from two brief intervals) and it's kings also ruled over parts of Afghanistan and India.

The Hindu period ended with Sahdeva who was the last king of the Lohar dynasty.   Zulchu's invasion of Kashmir ended Sahdeva's reign.  Zulchu was a descendent of Halaku.  He caused devastation during his invasion of Kashmir, which was left in a state of chaos after him. Then a West-Tibetan prince named Renchan conquered the whole territory and became its monarch. Renchan later on took on the Islamic name Sadc-ud-Din and became the first Muslim ruler of the state. He ruled Kashmir for a brief period (1320 to 1322) and after his death chaos returned to Kashmir.