Stuck in the Middle: The Story of Kashmir “The consequences of that partition have been so terrible that one is inclined to think that anything else would have been preferable.” Nehru the Prime Minister of India at the time of partition spoke about the tragedy that occurred because of the partition, including the faith of Kashmir. The partition of India and Pakistan occurred in 1947 when the British disengaged their hold over India, but India would also lose part of its land to a new country called Pakistan. Pakistan would be a home for Muslims, while India was a home for Hindus. Moreover, there was also an argument over Kashmir, a princely state, India and Pakistan could not determine, which country Kashmir would belong to. Partition caused
…show more content…
The monarchs were still in power, but the British controlled there ever move. For example, they were dispossessed of their political powers and even their fortunes. Although, Britain limited the Princely states powers, the Princely states were able to do as they pleased as long as they did not interfere with the British rule, and they were practically allies. Additionally, the British did not care what the religious majorities were in the Princely states. For instance, in the case of Kashmir it was ruled by a Hindu monarch, yet the majority of its population was Muslim. The reason Pakistan wanted Kashmir, was due to the Muslim majority. Furthermore, the rivers from Kashmir are major parts of Pakistan’s agricultural systems and also the Kashmir economy went hand in hand with Pakistan’s economy. India’s intentions for Kashmir to be a part of India were based on the one-nation theory. The one nation theory is the idea that all territories and India should remain united. Additionally, Kashmir is on the border of both Pakistan and India. Eventually, the fighting came to an end when the United Nations stepped in. The United Nations recommended a plebiscite, so Kashmir could choose, which country it wanted to be a part of. Additionally, a cease-fire line was created too. The cease-fire line split Kashmir into two parts one part controlled by India and the other part was controlled by Pakistan. In 1947, the Hari Singh, the leader of the Kashmiri monarch, decided it would be best to side with India. Singh sided with India due to his relationship with Sheikh Abdullah who was also good friends with Nehru as well. India gave Hari Singh autonomy, which meant that Kashmir would be able to govern itself. Kashmir was given their own prime minister, constitution and flag. Unfortunately for Kashmir the autonomy did not last long. In 1953, the Prime minister was imprisoned because he gave the people
The monarchs were still in power, but the British controlled there ever move. For example, they were dispossessed of their political powers and even their fortunes. Although, Britain limited the Princely states powers, the Princely states were able to do as they pleased as long as they did not interfere with the British rule, and they were practically allies. Additionally, the British did not care what the religious majorities were in the Princely states. For instance, in the case of Kashmir it was ruled by a Hindu monarch, yet the majority of its population was Muslim. The reason Pakistan wanted Kashmir, was due to the Muslim majority. Furthermore, the rivers from Kashmir are major parts of Pakistan’s agricultural systems and also the Kashmir economy went hand in hand with Pakistan’s economy. India’s intentions for Kashmir to be a part of India were based on the one-nation theory. The one nation theory is the idea that all territories and India should remain united. Additionally, Kashmir is on the border of both Pakistan and India. Eventually, the fighting came to an end when the United Nations stepped in. The United Nations recommended a plebiscite, so Kashmir could choose, which country it wanted to be a part of. Additionally, a cease-fire line was created too. The cease-fire line split Kashmir into two parts one part controlled by India and the other part was controlled by Pakistan. In 1947, the Hari Singh, the leader of the Kashmiri monarch, decided it would be best to side with India. Singh sided with India due to his relationship with Sheikh Abdullah who was also good friends with Nehru as well. India gave Hari Singh autonomy, which meant that Kashmir would be able to govern itself. Kashmir was given their own prime minister, constitution and flag. Unfortunately for Kashmir the autonomy did not last long. In 1953, the Prime minister was imprisoned because he gave the people