A Modern History of Jammu and Kashmir (Set of Three Books )

A Modern History of Jammu and Kashmir (Set of Three Books)

1) A Modern History of Jammu and Kashmir, Volume One: The Troubled Years of Maharaja Hari Singh (1925-1949)

The modern history of Jammu and Kashmir often focuses primarily on the Kashmir valley, overlooking the other regions that comprised the former Princely State. This volume addresses this gap by providing a detailed account of Maharaja Hari Singh’s rule, which began in 1925. Despite his progressive reforms—including programs for girls’ education, opening temple doors to Dalits, and abolishing the exploitative beggar system—historical discussions tend to concentrate only on the contentious issue of the State’s accession to India.

During the upheaval of Partition, Maharaja Hari Singh faced the critical decision of aligning with either India or Pakistan. Faced with the invasion of Pashtun tribals backed by Pakistan and India’s initial reluctance to offer military assistance, the Maharaja was left in a precarious position. His decision, attempting to balance the interests of Kashmir’s Muslim majority, Jammu’s Hindu majority, and Ladakh’s Buddhist majority, led to significant personal and political strain.

The challenges of his final years were immense, and pressure from Nehru and Sardar Patel eventually led to his exile in 1949, where he spent his remaining years in Bombay. Harbans Singh’s A Modern History of Jammu and Kashmir, Volume One offers a comprehensive exploration of this critical period, providing a nuanced defense of Maharaja Hari Singh and contributing valuable insights into the State’s evolving history.

2) A Modern History of Jammu and Kashmir, Volume Two: The Karan Singh Years (1949-1967)

This second volume delves into the years following Maharaja Hari Singh’s exile, focusing on his son, Yuvraj Karan Singh. From becoming Regent at eighteen to his roles as Sadar-i-Riyasat and Governor, Karan Singh’s tenure was marked by efforts to mediate between the conflicting interests of the Sheikh Abdullah-led National Conference and the Dogra-backed Praja Parishad.

Karan Singh’s leadership was pivotal in maintaining balanced power among Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh. His tenure saw the judicious application of Article 370 and further integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India. This period forged a new cooperative relationship between Delhi and the State’s leaders. Harbans Singh’s detailed account, drawing on historical sources and extensive correspondence with Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, offers both a biography of Karan Singh and a fresh perspective on the State’s political evolution.

3) A Modern History of Jammu and Kashmir, Volume Three

The third volume examines the period from 1975, following Sheikh Abdullah’s return to politics, through to the present day. It covers the rise of the separatist movement, the mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990, and the controversial abrogation of Article 370 by the BJP Central government, which led to the bifurcation of the State into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

The state has faced ongoing conflict, with the 1980s marking the beginning of severe militancy, heavily influenced by Pakistan. Separatist groups like the All Parties Hurriyat Conference and terrorist organizations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba have been involved in efforts to challenge Indian rule, leading to significant violence and turmoil. The heavy presence of Indian security forces has been a constant response to these threats. This volume captures the intense political struggles among parties such as the National Conference, Congress, PDP, and BJP, and highlights the suffering of the people caught in the crossfire.

Concluding his comprehensive study, Harbans Singh also reflects on the future implications of the Supreme Court’s verdict upholding the abrogation of Article 370, offering critical insights into the potential consequences for Jammu and Kashmir.