Kashmir 1947: A Survivor's Story

by Krishna Mehta

The raiders who barged into Kashmir in October 1947 had more than territory on their minds. As they advanced, they left behind them a trail of dead, many of them women who killed themselves to protect their honour. Krishna Mehta’s husband was district commissioner of Muzaffarabad, and he was away repelling the attack when the marauders reached their home. Six children in tow, Krishna escaped to find safe shelter. Over the next few days and nights, hungry and thirsty, she and her family moved from one house to another, turned away from each by their hosts after a day or so for fear of the raiders. Finally the raiders caught up with them—and it was in captivity that Krishna realized the full horror of the situation. Yet, she never yielded. In the end, even her captors, pitiless thus far, were so moved by her spirit and dignity that they took it upon themselves to protect her, cutting across religious divides. Kashmir 1947 is a portrait of a woman fighting for survival in an extreme time. Set during the dark days in Kashmir when the state was under siege, it is a gripping account of courage and resilience, all the more fascinating and powerful because it is entirely true. 

Genres: India, History

176 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2006

Reviews

[S.Ach · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is too important a story to be ignored.
The few days that ransacked Kashmir, perpetrated by the Pakistani tribesmen and raiders with zealousness to claim the territory what they believed was rightfully theirs, that wreaked havoc in the lives of people, especially Hindus, who had been living in those region, what is now called PoK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) (or Azad Kashmir, depending on from which side you are looking at it), is not something that we hear about pretty often.
This is the story of those days in the lives of a family of a bureaucrat posted there, and the unspeakable ordeal they went through. You flinch with horror imagining yourselves in their shoes.

However, I wish the story would have been written by an accomplished writer, cause Mrs Mehta sadly lacked that flair to evoke emotion that this story deserves. I hope it will be re-written by someone, someday.

[Chiragpal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Please do not consider 3 stars as "not worth readng". It indeed is.
3 stars is because I found the language non-gripping and large portions of opinions as opposed to description of the atmosphere and events. In places where there has been a flow of facts, it had a captivating effect on my reading.
I recommend you to read the book.

[Fahad Ali Kazmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried at several places reading this book. I live in Muzaffarabad and I imagined all the places and incidents while reading this book.