Firstly Punjabi is not a single race. It is a multi religious, multi- ethic and multi cultural society from Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims and Christians to Kashmiris, Pashtuns, Sindhis and Balochis. Even the so called sons of the soil claim to trace Persian and Arab roots due to successive empires and this is evident as neither the men and women in East Punjab and West Punjab look alike and their castes are different and the languages they speak have obvious foreign influences. Speaking of influences and foreign invasions you should also credit the British as well at least for modernizing agriculture and education system.
As for Kashmiris whether they are Muslim or Hindu, they are a homogenous ethnic group who trace their blood as Brahmins (the scholar class), the highest caste in the sub continent and you are dumb if you think they are illiterates LOL. From Sanskrit to Persian literature their contribution cannot be neglected. Despite each person surrounded by 2 Indian soldiers, their literacy rates are still higher than that of people of Punjab, a fact you cannot dispute. Even a rural Kashmiri dresses and eats better than a Jutt of Punjab and women have greater rights.
en.wikipedia.org