Understanding Kashmir and Kashmiris

by Christopher Snedden

In 1846, the British created the state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) - popularly called "Kashmir" - and then quickly sold this prized region to the wily and powerful Raja, Gulab Singh. Intriguingly, had they retained it, the India-Pakistan dispute over possession of the state may never have arisen, but Britain's concerns lay elsewhere -- expansionist Russia, beguiling Tibet and unstable China "circling" J&K -- and their agents played the 'Great Game' in Afghanistan and 'Turkistan'.Snedden contextualizes the geo-strategic and historical circumstances surrounding the British decision to relinquish prestigious 'Kashmir', and explains how they and four Dogra maharajas consolidated and controlled J&K subsequently. He details what comprised this diverse princely state with distant borders and disunified peoples and explains the Maharaja of J&K's controversial accession to India on 26 October 1947 - and its unintended consequences.Snedden weaves a compelling narrative that frames the Kashmir dispute, explains why it continues, and assesses what it means politically and administratively for the divided peoples of J&K and their undecided futures.

Genres: History, Pakistan, India, Nonfiction

372 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2015

About the author

Dr Christopher Snedden is a politico-strategic analyst specialising in South Asia. Currently, he works as a consultant in his own consultancy (ASIA CALLING), which specialises in providing information about South Asia, and for Deakin University as the Director of the Master of Arts (Strategic Studies) program offered by the university at the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies, Canberra.

Dr Snedden also teaches a postgraduate unit, 'Strategic Issues in South Asia', for Deakin and an undergraduate history unit, 'Modern India', at the University of New South Wales, Sydney. He has a Bachelor of Arts (Russian and Politics) and a PhD from La Trobe University, Melbourne, and has worked on South Asian matters for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Joint (now Defence) Intelligence Organisation. His research interests include India-Pakistan relations, Pakistan politics, and Jammu and Kashmir, particularly Azad Kashmir.

Courtsey : http://www.aii.unimelb.edu.au/christo...

Reviews

[Naveed Qazi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A seminal work of high academic standards. It is a must-have in your library, as a reader of Kashmiri history.

There are some new perspectives on the geostrategic position that the region of Kashmir had, with respect to Central Asia, Afghanistan, Russian aggression and Indian aggression. Also, there are informative passages about the history of Gilgit region.

[Roopesh Kohad · Rating 4 out of 5]

A text book to understand the Kashmir dispute. It's has comprehensive details on all one needs to know how did Kasmir or J&K came to be what it is today. The narration starts well before Jammu & Kashmir was founded as princely state. There is extensive documentary about Gulab Singh who founded J&K then onto entire lineage of Dogra clan. The author has given a balanced perspective juxtaposing what Pakistan or India position is, the author himself being a foreigner who could be dispassionate.

Having J&K in our conscience since childhood, we have seen only what journalists have shown mostly about its politicians, tourism, militancy which buries what the dispute stands for.

Being Indian was expecting our side of story like Article 370, it's implications, shenanigans of its political families and se juicy details but it was hardly covered. The book covers a critical audience not to entertain or take sides.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very meticulous and brief work with as much context as possible around the historic formation of what now we call J&K. There is a lot of stuff about accession and circumstances too. However post 1947, the rest of the book is mostly like a extended version of wikipedia entry on 'Kashmiri dispute' but still I'd say it is a must read for the comprehensive and unbiased coverage.

As someone from deep south of Tamil Nadu, any version of Kashmir history taught to me was always abut 'terrorism' or 'radical islamic fundamentalism' or a sanitised pro India one. It is a political struggle, and yearning to to be free from Indian occupation. Christopher Snedden does good justice to portray that. This from the last chapter really shook me. And yes we can never understand what an ordinary Kashmiri goes through every single day and how exponentially worse it has gotten under Modi..

'In 67 years of this dispute, 'the third party' people of J&K has never been consulted in any meaningful or inclusive way.'

'They've been subjected to ongoing hardships and sufferings that the avg Indian or Pakistani doesn't know or possibly don't care about.'

Printed in 2015, this is actually very chilling.

'Any change for Kashmir most probably involve its subjugation and subsumption'

FREE KASHMIR!

[Namita Barthwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is informative and the first book one should read to understand the Kashmir Conflict.

[Rithun Regi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a profound book written on Kashmir by a foreigner. After reading the book, I realized how much we (Indians/Pakistanis) have compartmentalized and are biased on the topic of Kashmir. This book helped me understand the history of Kashmir and touch the surface of the pain and uncertainty through which Kashmiris live. The biggest reality check for me has been how nearly all of us Indians are so unaware of the real situation in Kashmir. Kashmiris themselves to a great extent might prefer becoming an independent nation. This book is a must read for all Indians and one should be open minded and ready to digest the tough facts highlighted in the book.

[Azin Mir · Rating 5 out of 5]

When it comes to Kashmiri literature, there is either the Indian side, the Pakistani side or the Kashmiri side of the story all of which vary quite a lot in their narratives. This often leaves me confused as my objective analysis gets obstructed by idealogical standpoints and I am unable to fathom which side of the story to believe in. This is precisely the reason why I turned to international authors anticipating an unbaised perspective.

Understanding Kashmir and Kashmiris traces the political history of Kashmir through a geopolitical lens. It examines the series of events in the entire region of Jammu and Kashmir, including Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, right from it's existence as a princely state under the Sikhs and the Dogras to an international dispute between three nations after 1947. Snedden argues that the geo strategic importance of the region was immense from the time of the British Empire itself where it was seen as a buffer state by the British against a Russian invasion. He feels that the region is still seen as a buffer state by both India and Pakistan which makes them cling on to it so desperately, excaberating their mutual insecurities of each other as well as further aggravating the conflict.

Snedden concludes by adding that solving the Kashmir issue is not an urgent matter for both the nations or the international community because of the vested interests of the two nations as well as the unattractiveness of the region in terms of resources for the international community. I would recommend this book as a very important starting point for the readers before they delve any deeper into the conflict.

[Jason Sands · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dull

This book has some value in its coverage of ancient history and sociology of Kashmir. However, I have found other books to be more insightful.

[Kabir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent scholarly work

[Abhijay · Rating 3 out of 5]

good documentation of British and Dogra collaboration in ruling Kashmir