Kashmir in Conflict : India, Pakistan and the Unending War

How has the valley of Kashmir, famed for its beauty and tranquility, become the focus of a dispute with the potential for nuclear conflict? How does the Kashmir separatist movement challenge the integrity of the Indian state and threaten the stability of a region of tremendous strategic importance? As Pakistan and India square up for what may become a major regional conflict, Victoria Schofield's timely book examines the Kashmir question, from the period when the valley was an independent kingdom to its current status as a battleground for two of the world's newest nuclear powers: India and Pakistan. Schofield now traces the origins of the conflict in the 19th century and explains the serious issues that divide India and Pakistan and assesses the military positions of both states as their troops mass along the border. Why has the valley of Kashmir, famed for its beauty and tranquility, become a major flashpoint? Given the location of the state of Jammu and Kashmir on the borders of China and Central Asia, the insurgency in the valley threatens the stability of a region of great strategic importance, challenging the integrity of the Indian union and creating potentially disastrous tensions between India and Pakistan which may yet escalate into a greater regional conflict. Kashmir in the Crossfire offers a very readable, carefully documented but highly accessible account of the origins, development and implications of this contentious issue. Beginning with the early history of the independent kingdom of Kashmir, Schofield traces the origins of the modern state in the 19th century, including the controversial 'sale' by the British of a predominantly Muslim Kashmir to a Hindu ruler in 1846. She examines the implications for the people when in 1947 the Maharaja came to choose between joining Muslim Pakistan and secular, yet majority Hindu, India and shows why both neighbouring countries, India and Pakistan, continue to argue over the status of Jammu and Kashmir which, according to recommendations passed by the UN, was to be determined by the will of the people. Drawing upon research in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, India, Pakistan, and a range of historical sources, Schofield analyses critically the actions of the key players who, throughout its history, have contributed to the current militarization of the valley. And with the help of numerous interviews she takes into account the hopes and fears of all the interested parties - Pakistan, India and the people of Jammu and Kashmir who are themselves divided, not only by their linguistic and cultural traditions, but also in their objectives "Why has the valley of Kashmir, famed for its beauty, become, in the words of former President Bill Clinton, the 'most dangerous place on earth'? Why does the Kashmiri insurgency, waged since the late 1980s, continue to threaten the integrity of the Indian union? How can India and Pakistan, both nuclear powers, resolve their longstanding differences over the former princely state so that the peoples of South Asia can live in peace? Victoria Schofield's updated revision of the highly acclaimed, Kashmir in Conflict, examines the history of the state of Jammu and Kashmir from the period when the valley was an ancient independent kingdom to the most recent and potentially disastrous confrontation between India and Pakistan. Strategically situated on the borders of China, central and south Asia, Kashmir has once again confirmed its status as a likely battleground between the world's latest and most belligerent nuclear powers." "Drawing upon extensive research in both countries, Victoria Schofield traces the origins of the princely state in the nineteenth century and the controversial 'sale' by the British of the predominantly Muslim valley to a Hindu Maharaja in 1846. Assessing the implications for Kashmir of independence in 1947, she analyses the issues, which divide India and Pakistan as they confront each other 'eyeball to eyeball' in a seemingly unending war."--Jacket. The valley of Kashmir continues to be a major flashpoint in South Asia, threatening the stability of a region of great strategic importance. This book, now in its fifth updated edition, examines the conflict over the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir - located on the borders of China and currently geographically de facto divided between India and Pakistan - in its historical context, from the period when the valley was an independent kingdom to the present day. As Schofield narrates, for over thirty years the insurgency in the Kashmir valley has provoked serious tensions between the two nuclear neighbours, with China now an interested player. Having conducted extensive research, she takes into account the hopes and fears of all protagonists - India, Pakistan and the people of Jammu and Kashmir who are themselves divided, not only by their linguistic and cultural traditions, but also in their objectives. With a new chapter covering recent developments - including the abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian constitution by the BJP government in India in 2019 - this is the essential guide to what, in 1948, the United Nations called the 'India-Pakistan Question' "Why has the valley of Kashmir, famed for its beauty and tranquillity, become a major flashpoint, threatening the stability of a region of great strategic importance and challenging the integrity of the Indian state? This book examines the Kashmir conflict in its historical context, from the period when the valley was an independent kingdom right up to the struggles of the present day. Located on the borders of China, Central Asia and the Sub-Continent, the insurgency in the valley has also created serious tensions between India and Pakistan. Drawing upon research in India and Pakistan, as well as historical sources, this book traces the origins of the state in the 19th century and the controversial "sale" by the British of the predominantly Muslim valley to a Hindu Maharaja in 1846. Through an exploration of the implications for Kashmir of independence in 1947, it gives a critical account of why, for Kashmir, self-determination may seem a more attractive option than affiliation to a larger multi-racial whole."-- Provided by publisher "Why has the valley of Kashmir, famed for its beauty and tranquillity, become a major flashpoint, threatening the stability of a region of great strategic importance and challenging the integrity of the Indian state? This book examines the Kashmir conflict in its historical context, from the period when the valley was an independent kingdom right up to the struggles of the present day. Located on the borders of China, Central Asia and the Sub-Continent, the insurgency in the valley has also created serious tensions between India and Pakistan. Drawing upon research in India and Pakistan, as well as historical sources, this book traces the origins of the state in the 19th century and the controversial "sale" by the British of the predominantly Muslim valley to a Hindu Maharaja in 1846. Through an exploration of the implications for Kashmir of independence in 1947, it gives a critical account of why, for Kashmir, self-determination may seem a more attractive option than affiliation to a larger multi-racial whole."--Publisher description