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Kashmir

Summary

Kashmir is the name of the region which was the territory of the Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir prior to the partitioning of India in 1947. It is today occupied by India, Pakistan, and China in various proportions (see map on reverse). Since the 80’s parts of Indian Occupied Kashmir (particularly the Vale of Kashmir) has seen a major uprising for independence or joining with Pakistan. There has been much bloodshed and many violations of human rights as the Indian authorities try to quell the movement.

Brief History

In 1947 Kashmir was a semi autonomous Princely State in “British” India. It’s king or Maharaja was Hari Singh who ruled over a mainly Muslim population. At the time of partition, instead of applying the general rule of majority Muslim states becoming Pakistan and majority non-Muslim states remaining parts of India, for some reason, the fate of Kashmir was left in the hands of Hari Singh to decide who had a natural affinity to India being a non-Muslim himself. Even before he had chance to decide, there was an uprising in parts of Kashmir helped by Pathans from NWFP to become part of Pakistan. Hari Singh panicked and acceded to India which led to Indian invasion and occupation of major parts of Kashmir including Jammu and the Vale of Kashmir.

Both India and Pakistan went to the UN and a resolution was passed to require both sides to hold a plebiscite and let the people of Kashmir decide their own fate. To this day the Kashmiris are still waiting for this to happen.

Political Status

The parts of Kashmir occupied by India and Pakistan hold a special status within the respective countries and are not wholly assimilated within their political systems.

Note: In addition to the above population, there are about 1.5m Kashmiris mainly from the Azad Kashmir region settled abroad, mostly in the UK.

Source: http://www.jammu-kashmir.com

Climate

Majority of Kashmir is mountainous and relatively cool compared to the neighbouring lands. The monsoon rains reach their last outpost on the eastern side of Kashmir in August which is known as the Rain Season.

Relief

The second highest peak in the world (K2) is located in Kashmir. The Karakoram, Hindukush, and the Himalaya ranges collide into each other in Kashmir creating some of the world’s most spectacular mountain landscape. Out of the world’s 50 highest mountain peaks, 15 are in Kashmir – all higher than 23000 ft (7000m) above sea level.

Future Outlook

Kashmir has the potential to become a very rich tourist attraction if all its natural attraction are developed and marketed properly. However this cannot happen easily until the threat of violence is eradicated from the region by way of an agreement between India and Pakistan taking into account the wishes of the people of Kashmir.