Kashmir The Story

Kashmir, nestled in the Himalayas, an ancient centre for Shaivism, then Buddhism, and by the 14th century, Islam. A Muslim majority kingdom for five hundred years, in the early eighteen hundred, Kashmir comes under Dogra rule, and for 100 years it remains so, under the watchful eyes of the British. In 1947, Kashmir has to choose between joining Pakistan or India. Or, could she stay sovereign?

India and Pakistan become independent nations in 1947 but Kashmir, a Muslim majority region ruled by a Hindu king is reluctant to accede to India or Pakistan. An impatient Pakistan moves to annex her. Kashmir accedes to India in return for military help. An interim government in set-up, but due to Pakistan's proxy war and tacit British interference, Kashmir is irrevocably fractured.

Kashmir is fractured by Pakistan's proxy war; Nehru decides not to send the army.

Kashmir becomes an issue that defines the India-Pakistan relationship. In 1971, skirmishes flare into war and India helps to liberate East Pakistan to form Bangladesh. When India wins the '71 war and captures Siachen in the 80s, Pakistan launches Operation Topac. A multi-phased insurgency that among others, drives out Kashmiri Pandits from their homeland.

The exodus of the Kashmiri Pandits in the early 90s drives wedges between Kashmir's communities; Arvind Gigoo, a professor, recalls the manner in which the pandits were ousted from their homeland to live in refugee camps.

Although Kashmir has seen brief periods of peace, seven decades of cross-border militancy, constant military presence, wars and political unrest have all effected the pace of development in Kashmir.