The Origins of a Dispute

Kashmir is one of the most intensely disputed regions of the world. It was acceded to India by the British when they left in 1947; however, with a majority Muslim population, many Kashmiris and Pakistanis felt that it should have become a part of Pakistan. To this day, it continues to be the subject of passionate conflict between the two countries -- in late 2002, as troops aligned on the borders, the prospect of a possible nuclear war was only narrowly avoided. In such a context, a book on the history of Kashmir is not only timely but of great usefulness to anyone who wishes to understand the full and complex background to the ongoing conflict. Based on exhaustive research and recently declassified papers -- such as the Mountbatten papers and the Pinnell files, available only since 1994 -- Jha tests the rival versions of history. His investigations confirm that the dispute has its origin neither in the 'unfinished business of Partition' nor in the vacillation of a 'weak, indolent and despotic' Maharaja of Kashmir. Jha provides a virtually day-to-day account of the critical times when the fate of Kashmir was decided in the context of Britain's geo-political strategies. Drawing on personal accounts by the main players in the events of 1947, he examines the contrasting versions of history that have emerged since that time. Offering vital insights into the volatility of politics in the Indian subcontinent, this is an indispensable book for students, teachers, journalists and anyone interested in the history of the region.