Career
Jonaraja, in his Dvitīyā Rājataraṅginī mentioned him as Sahamera. He came from Swat according to some sources. Shah Mir arrived in Kashmir in 1313 along with his family, during the reign of Suhadeva (1301–1320), whose service he entered.
In subsequent years, through his tact and ability Shah Mir rose to prominence and became one of the most important personalities of his time.
Later after the death in 1338 of Udayanadeva, the brother of Suhedeva he was able to assume the kingship himself. Shah Mir from Swat, Rinchan from Ladakh, and Lankar Chak from Dard territory near Gilgit came to Kashmir, and played a notable role in the subsequent political history of the valley.
All the three men were granted Jagirs by the King Suhadeva. Among them Rinchan became the ruler of Kashmir after the death of Suhadeva for three years, later Shah Mir inaugurated the Shah Mir dynasty, which he established in 1339 that lasted till 1561.
Shah Mir came to Kashmir from Swat Valley.
This was further recorded by Abu"l Fzal in the Akbarnama and Farishta. During the reign of Sehadeva (1301-?), a Tatar chief Dulucha invaded Kashmir from the north and ravaged lieutenant King Sehadeva fled the country and his general Ramachandra occupied the throne.
In the confusion Rinchan (reigned 1320-1323), the Ladhaki prince, organised an internal rising and seized the throne.
The Hindu religious leaders of the time refused to admit into their fold. He had a son, Haidar by his queen Kota Rani.
After the death of Rinchan, who was assassinated, Kotarani married Udayanadeva, the brother of Sehadava. lieutenant was his chief Queen Kota Rani, who practically governed the state.
She was a very brave, shrewd and an able ruler.
Though she tried her best to save her kingdom, odds were too heavy for her. The Kashmir Valley was once again invaded from the north by a Mongol-Turk invader Achalla, and Udayanadeva fled to Tibet. But the Queen defeated (killed) Achalla and drove away all the foreign troops.
Finally in this age of chaos Shah Mir organized an uprising against Queen Kota Rani and defeated her at Jayapur (modern Sumbal).
Her death in 1339 paved the way for the establishment of Shah Mir dynasty rule in Kashmir.
