Kashmir

1. Geo Graphical Location

“Kashmir valley” is a region situated on an area of 86,000 Square miles. It is located in
Northwest of India and Northeast of Pakistan. It is an earth locked state. Major part of it is under
Indian control and is known as Jammu and Kashmir. The part that is under Pakistani control is
known as Azad Kashmir. The capitals of Jammu Kashmir and Azad Kashmir are Srinagar and
Muzzafarabad respectively.

2. History
History of Kashmir can be divided into two major eras listed as below.

2.1. Pre Partition History

During first half of first millennium region was dominated by Hinduism & later on by Buddhism.
In ninth century Kashmir Shaivism arises followed by Shah Mir a Muslim ruler’s Shah Mir
dynasty in 1339. Kashmir was Included in great Mughal Empire from 1586 till 1751. Till 1820 it
was part of Afghan Durrani Empire. That year its control was taken over by Sikhs under
leadership of Ranjit Singh.

In 1846 Sikhs were defeated by East India Company in first Sikh Anglo war & resultantly
handed over Kashmir to East India Company as a settlement of peace treaty. East India company
signed another treaty famously known as “Treaty of Amritsar” according to which British Sold
valley of Kashmir to Gulab Singh for 75 lakhs as a Princely State. It Status of “Princely State”
prevailed till 1947.[1]

2.2. Post Partition History

In 1947 India was freed from British rule & Partitioned into two Countries i.e. India & Pakistan.
Kashmir had become a disputed territory among newly established states since that year.
Currently Kashmir is under Control of three Countries i.e. Pakistan, India & China. Pakistan has
control over area called Azad Kashmir & Gilgit-Baltistan, India has control over Jammu
&Kashmir and Ladakh while China has control over the area of Aksai Chin & Trans Karakoram
Tract. Due to diverse ruling history its current population is also an amalgam of different
religions. Figure below depicts religious demographics of region under control of Pakistan &
India.[1]
 Religious groups: Indian-administered Kashmir

REGION Buddhist Hindu Muslim Other

Kashmir Valley - 4% 95% -
Jammu - 66% 30% 4%
Ladakh 50% - 46% 3%

Religious groups: Pakistani-administered Kashmir

REGION Buddhist Hindu Muslim Other

Northern Areas - - 99% -
Azad Jammu and - - 99% -
Kashmir

3. Strategic Importance of Kashmir:

Kashmir is described as “world’s most militarized Zone”. The question arises why a small part of
land is so much important even for world’s largest countries i.e. China & India. Answer lies in
the strategic importance of this unfortunate valley. Glaciers & fresh water of this region provide
electricity & water to billions of people in India. Further Pakistan is also largely dependent upon
water flowing from this valley for its agricultural needs. With growing population in India it
needs more and more of Kashmir’s water for its increasing demands of fresh water & electricity.
Furthermore, for Pakistan being an agrarian economy Kashmir‘s water resources are the matter
of life and death. Thus control of this valley by any one country could be disastrous for other.[2]

As far as china is concerned it has interest in the area of Aksai Chin due to some ancient trade
routes crossing it. Silk Road of China that connects East Asia & South east Asia with South
Asia, Arabian Peninsula, Persia, Southern Europe & East Africa also passes through this area. [2]

4. Start of Kashmir Dispute:

India had access to Kashmir through its one district in Punjab while Pakistan had adjacent border
with Kashmir & its 77% population was Muslim at time of partition. So, it was expected that
Kashmir will accede to Pakistan after partition. Kashmir’s Mahraja Hari Singh had signed
interim standstill agreement with Pakistan for availability of necessary services in this land
bounded area.[3]

However already frustrated by Mahraja’s delaying tactics & driven by news of attack on
Muslims, tribesman from Pakistan attacked on Kashmir in October 1947. Mahraja seek Military
assistance from India & in return acceded Kashmir to India. It resulted in first Indo Pak war of
1947-48 on Kashmir between two countries.
In 1948 India seek UN assistance to mediate the issue. After UN interference Cease Fire was
agreed and line of Cease Fire was established between two Countries with India Controlling 65%
of territory. Both rivals also agreed for a Plebiscite in disputed region. But later on India refused
to execute the same until whole state is cleared from irregulars’ presence.

As this referendum was never conducted thus relations between two countries turned sour by
each passing day resulting in three more wars.

4.1. China India Conflict over Kashmir:

During 1950’s China gradually occupies eastern Kashmir i.e Askai Chin. In 1962 china & India
had gone through a war for control of this area. After short war India was defeated. After the war
in 1963 Pakistan cedes its area of Trans Karakoram tract to China.

4.2. 1965 Indo Pak War:

Pakistan & India again fought a war in 1965 over Kashmir. War was ended after short time span
& resulted in cease fire with both countries return to their previous position at “Line of Cease
Fire”.

4.3. 1971 Indo Pak War & Shimla Agreement:

Pakistan & Indian again go for a war in 1971 which resulted separation of Bangladesh from
Pakistan. This war leads to Shimla agreement in 1972. According to that agreement Kashmir’s
“Cease fire Line” was converted into “Line of Control”. Both sides also agreed to settle this
matter via dialogue.

4.4. Insurgency within Kashmir:

In 1987 disputed Kashmir’s election resulted into insurgency for independence. Led by Jammu
& Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) an independence movement was initiated diverting from a
referendum demand. India always blamed Pakistan for fomenting this insurgency in Jammu &
Kashmir.[4]

4.5. Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA):

To combat this insurgency Armed Forces Special Powers Act was activated in Jammu &
Kashmir giving special powers to Indian army in valley. Despite its various subsequent
amendment act is still in force in area of Jammu & Kashmir.

4.6. Kargil War 1999:

Last formal indo-Pak war on Kashmir was “Kargil” war fought in 1999. Although after that no formal war
is initiated between two nuclear states but they were at verge of war many times due to this issue.
 5. View of Each country regarding Kashmir:
5.1. India’s view:

As far as India is concerned Kashmir is an undisputed part of India, and Pakistan should remove
all its military forces from Azad Kashmir. Moreover, India accuses Pakistan of funding the
terrorist groups in Kashmir and spreading the anti-India sentiments among the Kashmiri youth.
According to India the Pakistani administered Kashmir is suffering from Lack of political
recognition, doesn’t have any kind of proper economic structure or fundamental rights.

5.2. Pakistan’s view:

As discussed earlier Pakistan’s survival as an agrarian country is highly dependent upon

Kashmir, so Pakistan cannot back away from claiming its right over the valley. According to
Pakistan’s point of view, India has a forced occupation on the major part of the valley, and
Maharaja handed the control of Kashmir to India against the will of local people and under
Indian Government’s pressure. Moreover, India is culprit of killing a huge number of innocent
civilians and raping Kashmiri women in its attempt to halt the freedom movement of Kashmiri
people.

5.3. Kashmir’s View:

Around 43% of Kashmiri people don’t want to join either India or Pakistan. They want Kashmir
to be an independent state administered by the local government. Rest of the population has
divided opinion about joining either India or Pakistan.

6. Other Aspects of Life in Kashmir

Kashmir is known for being a disputed territory and world’s most militarized zone. It is in the
news for killings, kidnappings and violence so much that its other aspects of life don’t get
enough recognition. In this section we will discuss some of them.

6.1. Tourism

It is an excellent tourist destination and is known as the heaven on earth. Tourists from all over
the world travel to this small valley to enjoy its natural beauty. In the year 2019 57,920 foreigner
and 16.16 million domestic tourists visited the valley. Jammu is known for its historical temples
while the Kashmir is famous for its lakes and gardens.[5]

6.2. Agriculture

Kashmir is an agro based economy. The environment of the valley and the water resources here
suit the agriculture sector a lot. Majority of local population is attached to agriculture. In the year
2018-19 3.96 million tons of horticulture crops were produced in Jammu & Kashmir. Total area
or arable land in Kashmir is 414.47 thousand hectares. This is quite large comparing to the small
size of the valley. Industries that are based on food or agriculture are in business here, because
the climate perfectly suits floriculture and horticulture. The crops in the valley are unique and
diverse as they have adapted to the local environment. Rice is the major summer crop while
wheat and barley are known as the winter crop of Kashmir. Apart from those other crops like
Corn, pulses, peas, beans, cotton, millet, and tobacco are also harvested here. Kashmir is also the
sole producer of saffron in the whole India.

6.3. Industry

Handicraft industry is thriving here which not only creates excellent products for export purpose
but also provide employment opportunities to locals. Rural crafts like cotton weaving, wool
weaving, wood craving, handloom weaving from the local silk, carpet weaving and leatherwork
have turned into established industries in the valley. These industries are mostly located in
Srinagar. They produce export quality goods and are a major boost for the local economy. In the
manufacturing field Kashmir makes export quality precision instruments, furniture items, resins,
metal ware, sports equipment and turpentine.[6]

6.4. Natural Resources

The state is also blessed with some of natural, mineral and fossil fuel resources. Natural gas
reserves are located in Jammu. In the city of Udhampur deposits of bauxite and gypsum are
found. Other notable minerals from here are deposits of coal, zinc, limestone and copper. Some
of these resources are also used in the local industry as raw material. The valley has huge
potential for hydroelectric power generation too due to its altitude and glaciers. All the cities and
towns in the state have electricity supply and quite a few hydroelectric dams are constructed
throughout the valley. Moreover, the lakes and rivers in the state provide multiple types of fish
and water resources too. [6]

6.5. Rare Animals and wild life reserves

Forests in Kashmir are home to some of the world’s most rare and endangered species of animals
and birds. Some of these animals are Kashmir stag, the Musk Deer, the Tibetan Antelope or
Chiru, the Tibetan Gazelle, the Serow, the Markhor (Capra alconeri), the Wild Yak and the
Amon. These animals are protected as wild life reserves and are one of the few major tourist
attractions.[7]

6.6. Literacy in Kashmir:

The education in the state is free at all levels. The literacy rate in Kashmir is quite decent.
According to National Statistical Office (NSO) the male and female literacy rates in the valley
are 85.7% and 68% respectively.
 7. Current Crisis in the valley:
The article 370 was the bill that recognized Kashmir as a self-administered state. The article gave
Kashmir the right to have its own state flag, a separate constitution of its own, and autonomy
over the internal administration of the state. In August 2019 Indian government took away the
special status of Kashmir making the article 370 null and void, and turned the state into a
federally administered state. For the implementation of this bill the government imposed a
lockdown throughout the valley. Since then valley of Kashmir is under serious political and
economic crisis. The shops and small businesses are under huge pressure which further took a hit
due to Covid-19 situation.[6]

8. Solution for Kashmir Conflict:

As both the countries involved in Kashmir conflict, India and Pakistan are nuclear powers war
can never be a solution for the Kashmir issue. United Nations (UN) and the other influential
countries in the world needs to play their roles properly so that peace can be achieved in the
Kashmir valley and the lives of local population can go back to normal who have been suffering
for more than 70 years. Hopefully in the near future Kashmir will not be known for being the
biggest militarized and disputed state of the world. Instead it will be known for its beauty, trade,
crafts and other positive aspects.

9. References
1. Hunter, W. W., & Bartholomew, J. G. (1908). Imperial Gazetteer of India.. (Vol. 22).
Clarendon Press.
2. Lamb, A. (1971). India's China War. war in the himalayas by Neville Maxwell. Jonathan Cape:
London, 1970. Pp. 475,£ 5.00. Modern Asian Studies, 5(4), 389-397.
3. Maxwell, N. (1970). China and India: the un-negotiated dispute. China Q., 47.
4. Ruler, F. M., & Swati, S. M. History of Kashmir.
5. Bala, M. (2020). Agro-Tourism Potential in Kishtwar and Bhadarwah Region of Jammu and
Kashmir. In Sustainable Business Practices for Rural Development (pp. 121-130). Palgrave
Macmillan, Singapore.
6. Permerius, F. (2020). Article 370 of the Indian Constitution: Conceptualizing Autonomy
Retraction.
7. Rizvi, S. A. A., & Basham, A. L. (1987). The wonder that was India (Vol. 2). Sidgwick &
Jackson.