16. Kashyap Rishi drained out the water and made it habitable. It is said that originally Yakshas, and Pisacas tribes inhabited the valley at the higher reaches and did not allow the inhabitants of the valley to live in peace. King Ashok brought Budhism to Kashmir which was strengthened by Kanishka. In 6th century Huns came to rule the valley and Mihirkul was one of the infamous Hun rulers. The area attained freedom in 530 AD which was short lived.