Kashmir: With A Touch Of Beauty, Global Politics and Terror

Kashmir: with A Touch Of Beauty, Global Politics and Terror

by

B.B. Nagaich

Jayant Kumar

Rajiv Nagaich

Smashwords Edition

Kashmir: with A Touch Of Beauty, Global Politics and Terror

Copyright 2013 by

B.B. Nagaich

Jayant Kumar

Rajiv Nagaich

Smashwords Edition

CONTENTS

Dedication by B.B. Nagaich

Preface by B.B. Nagaich

Introduction by B.B. Nagaich

Ancient-Medieval History by B.B. Nagaich & Jayant Kumar

Modern History by B.B. Nagaich & Jayant Kumar

Cultural Mosaic by B.B. Nagaich

Temple-Historic Places-Monuments byB.B. Nagaich & Jayant Kumar

Paintings & Handicrafts by B.B. Nagaich

Economy and Tourism by B.B. Nagaich

Agriculture & Allied fields by B.B. Nagaich

Wildlife by B.B. Nagaich

Secession & Terrorism by B.B. Nagaich & Jayant Kumar

Himachal & Uttaranchal Calling by B.B. Nagaich

Indo-Pak-US Relations by B.B. Nagaich & Rajiv Nagaich

Indo-US Ties Review by B.B. Nagaich & Rajiv Nagaich

Select Bibliography by B.B. Nagaich

Glossary, Index & Annexure by B.B. Nagaich

Authors

Kashmir: with a Touch of Beauty, Global Politics and Terror

Dedicated

To

Grandparents

Pt. Laxman Prasad Nagaich

&

Smt. Urmila Nagaich

and

Parents

Pt. Balmakund Nagaich

&

Smt. Durga Devi Nagaich

Who had energy, vision and religious convictions and

due to their blessings, support and encouragement I am what I am!

Dr. B B Nagaich

PREFACE

India maintained a blend of democracy and economic growth. It kept religion separate from politics. Although concept of democracy is similar throughout the globe, Indian democracy has a special feature of progressive empowerment of those suppressed for longtime under different regimes and who are now in political contest through elections. Similarly preferential reservations have been made in constitution for suppressed class individuals who are competing for government jobs. In this democratic environment, I worked as agricultural scientist promoted as administrator to head one GOI institute and wrote articles, bulletins and books on agriculture. Later I turned towards farming and socio-political work. I always had a hobby for reading and knowing the facts on different aspects of life. I had spent considerable time in two Central Government Research Institutes and State Universities in India and the US, first as a scientist and later as administrator to help improve scientific developments in India, particularly in the north-western hill states including Kashmir, which was always geo-politically important internationally. The enchanting views of N.W. hill states always attracted me. Therefore, in this manuscript I have endeavored to describe the facts about Kashmir and adjoining hill-states and their domestic and external relations, because sometimes it becomes difficult for people particularly foreigners to visit Kashmir. I have also considered the opinions expressed in different countries as the sum of observations. I am fortunate to study political aspects after my retirement from central government service. The first chance for political science-studies that I got was in Sagar University of M.P., where I was Adviser & Professor of Eminence in 1884 & 1985. Reading and writing of historical accounts and political aspects provide good opportunities to look back on the past to enable to modify the misjudged events. Our first book on current affairs published in 2009 is, Six Decades of Indo-US Pakistan Relations, written in straightforward style. Three experts joined me in this adventure. Two of them are co-authors in this MS too. During my eighty years of life, I had opportunity to get acquainted with poor and the rich, the learned and the ignorant, the simple and shrewd as well as criminals turned politicians. The circumstances have led me across the path of philosophers, scientists, farmers, advocates, politicians, social workers, army officers, businessmen and preachers both in India, the US and some other nations. I am extremely pleased with the modern information technology, which enabled me to simultaneously pay attention to several subjects, in the old as well as the new world.

Northwest India comprising of Indus (Sindh) valley and Punjab are vital for strategic plans of formation of Muslim belt as well as a strong wall against Chinese and Russian expansion, surrounded by five Muslim nations: Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Through the port of Karachi Western nations could menace Soviet navy. Britain and USA could easily defend their vital interests in the Middle East from Pakistan. Later China too joined in this venture. Therefore, now Pakistan is the keystone of the defense arch of the vulnerable waters of the Indian Ocean. After partition, Pakistan along with Middle East, Britain and USA first joined Baghdad Pact followed by CENTO and provided airbase in Peshawar in NWFP to CIA to let them keep hawk-eyes against USSR and its allies. This secret base came to be known only when US pilot (Gary Powers) was shot down in 1961 in USSR (Sarila, 2005). During the British rule in the Indian sub-continent, the policy of ‘divide and rule’ was pursued with success and the communal division between the Hindus and Muslims was nurtured with great care. A rivalry was created in different communities on purpose for giving favors by way of communal reservations in government services and in elected bodies. After partition, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s announcement of freedom from the British rule was, almost similar to President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg speech, a tale of success and tragedy. Nearly same number of persons died in the US civil war as in India’s independence struggle, which resulted in painful partition of secular India and Islamic Pakistan. There was one land and two nations - India and Pakistan (further divided from their Muslim cousins into Pakistan and Bangladesh). Kashmir occupies an especial place in the Indian sub-continent, due to its strategic location, scenic splendor, culture and age old arts. Geographically Kashmir and adjoining hill states are the children of gigantic as well as lofty Himalayas of especial interest to East and West. In the Indian history there is unique drama on Kashmir issue, in which Pakistan appears in the role similar to a villain, earlier supported by UK , USA as well as by some OIC member nations and later by China as well, making Kashmir a global issue. Recently China has started calling J&K as ‘India Occupied’ or India controlled Kashmir and at the same time termed Pak Occupied Kashmir (GK-Gilgit-Balistan area) as Northern Pakistan. Three NW hill states have been graced with captivating scenic beauty of lush green pastures, lofty glistening snow covered mountain peaks, gurgling rivers, great lakes of mythological fame, rare trees, herbs and flowers. These hill states compete with each other in scenic beauty except that no other state has boat houses except Kashmir. Added to theses are the abductions and mass killings carried out by sponsored terrorists from across the border in Kashmir and global politics operating for nearly last three decades on the pretext of religion. Therefore details of the two adjoining states are also given for the benefit of tourists, if visiting Kashmir is prohibited or if visitors do not want to go to there for safety reasons.

Emperor Ashoke ruled India during the Third Century BC and extended his kingdom to Kashmir. He is known to have established the city of Srinagar. During his rule, Buddhism took strong roots among the population, which was predominantly Hindu, of Sanatani or Vedic culture. Later, Kashmir became a part of Kanishkan Empire. Subsequently, the Kashmir state thrived under the famous rulers like Lalitaditya and Avanit Varman in eighth and ninth centuries. Because of continued decadence and turmoil, in the fourteenth century, Muslims came into power. While the early Muslim rulers were tolerant, subsequent rulers’ majority indulged in mass conversion of people. In 1814, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, a Sikh ruler, invaded Kashmir and took over the area by 1819 and continued to rule it. Kashmir was then sold to Maharaja Gulab Singh, a Dogra ruler, in 1846 and then the Dogra rule continued till 1947. After 1960s a large number of Pandits and minorities had to leave the valley. Muslims were in majority in Srinagar valley but in minority in Jammu and Ladakh regions. Ambitious Muslims were unhappy and felt no say in Kashmir governing. Consequently they launched a movement in 1931 for securing power in the government. The Dogra ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh, conceded to a number of their demands. Several leaders including Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah became prominent during this movement. Their fight against Dogra rule received support from national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Azad and Sardar Patel etc. Mirwaiz Mohammad Yusuf Shah however, revived Muslim Conference in 1941, an organization which had received only a limited support from some fundamentalists alone. In 1946, Mohammad Ali Jinnah visited Kashmir and tried to persuade Kashmiris to join the proposed Pakistan, but was rebuffed. In 1947, at the time of partition, Maharaja took long time to decide on the issue of accession, in accordance to the Indian Independence Act. Pakistan did not like to wait further and decided to use force to annex the state to merge with Pakistan.

On 20th October 1947, Pakistani Prime Minister encouraged the Afridi tribals from NWFP, ex-soldiers, deserters from State Forces and Army to invade Kashmir state (Mahajan, 1963; Akbar, 1985; Chibber, 1998; Chopra, 1990; Ganguly, 1991). When the invaders posed a very serious threat to Srinagar, Maharaja Hari Singh sent M.C. Mahajan, the then Kashmir Prime Minister, to New Delhi and sought military protection from India. Viceroy of India, Lord L. Mountbatten advised him to sign accession first, which was done on October 26th. Next day, Indian troops were sent to repel the aggressor. Concurrently Sheikh Abdullah was appointed the Chairman of the emergency administration (Mahajan, 1963). Pakistan, on the other side, set up the so-called Azad (Free) Kashmir Government with Azad Kashmir army to liberate Kashmir, whenever possible. A Kashmiri resistance force called J&K militia, working in conjunction with Indian troops saved Srinagar in time and subsequently cleared out about two-thirds of J&K from the Pakistani invaders. It is quite interesting to note that the US Charge d’ Affairs, in Pakistan, Lewis visited NWFP province at this time. A former US army officer, Haig, led a group of tribal invaders and was promoted as Brigadier in POK army. The new C-in-C, General Bacher (a British) confided to the US Charge d’ Affairs that he had taken no steps to prepare the Indian army for a cross-border operation (Das Gupta, 1947). Anglo-American newspapers also glorified the invaders, showing their political interest and connivance by these nations (Chopra, 1990). While the operation was in progress, Nehru was persuaded by Louis Mountbatten to appeal to the United Nations on 30th of December 1947 to intervene and force Pakistan to vacate its aggression under a wrong clause. After several debates in the UN, two mutually acceptable resolutions were adopted on 13th August 1948 (Chopra, 1990) and were agreed by both sides.

In the Freedom Act of India, the future of 562 mini-, micro- and macro- states in the Indian sub-continent was left to their rulers. They could join either India or Pakistan or could stay independent. Jawaharlal Nehru and other Congress leaders desired that the choice should be given to the public or Janata and not the rulers but Jinnah (British favorite) and the Muslim League leaders insisted that the choice be left with the rulers and the British government agreed with Jinnah. Some analysts are of the opinion that this provision had a sinister purpose. Jinnah and his colleagues thought that Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), Junagarh and Hyderabad, were expected to face dilemmas. The rulers of Hyderabad and Junagarh were Muslims. Therefore Muslim League expected them to join Pakistan and this could lead to problems for India. To persuade the J&K ruler to join Pakistan Jinnah went to Kashmir personally and offered Maharaja Hari Singh a blank check. However the wise Maharaja preferred to wait and watch as to ponder over the issue before final decision, even beyond 15th August, the freedom-day. For the time being he signed the Stand-Still-agreement with Pakistan. India did not sign such an agreement. Maharaja was of the view that secular India was safe for Hindus and Muslims both but Islamic Pakistan was not safe for Hindus, Buddhists, Sikh and Christian minorities. Extremist Muslims were encouraged by the creation of Pakistan and started demanding all of Kashmir to be included in Pakistan (Mahajan, 1963; Chopra, 1990; Chibber, 1998). Muslim League leaders also apprehended that Maharaja being a Hindu may join India. Therefore, instead of waiting they preferred to launch mass invasion. Pakistan supplied arms to Afridi tribals and allowed army to guide and help them invade Kashmir. The aggression was accepted by Pakistan, which was also recorded by the UN Commission on India and Pakistan in 1948. Some analysts consider that aggression had blessings from the Great Britain too.

When the invaders were near Srinagar, Maharaja offered to accede to India and asked Indian government to save Srinagar from loot, arson and rapes meted out in other parts of Kashmir (Chibber, 1998). Mehar Chand Mahajan, the Prime Minister of Kashmir, flew to New Delhi to persuade India to send the army. In the beginning Nehru was reluctant but Sheikh Abdullah interceded. The accession was signed after some delay and 300 soldiers of the Indian army were airlifted next day in civilian Dakota aircraft, to expel the invaders. Sheikh Abdullah and the National Conference rallied public support to provide the army with civil trucks for transport as well as for food (Mahajan, 1963). Srinagar and rest of the areas in Kashmir were saved. Lord Mountbatten, while accepting accession, in his reply dated 27th October 1947 to the Maharaja stated, As soon as law and order have been restored and her soil is cleared of the invasion the question of accession should be settled by the people. Public decision was first suggested by Nehru and Congress leaders, for all the states, but was not agreed upon. Subsequently, on 1st November Mountbatten made an offer to Jinnah to resolve the Kashmir issue through peoples’ verdict but Jinnah declined the offer, knowing well that people were extremely unhappy with Pakistani invasion. However, the intruder is still occupying the area that is called Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) or Gulam Kashmir (GK) by India and Azad Kashmir by Pakistan. Pakistan is constantly instigating militancy in J&K. Till recently people of GK were however not citizens of Pakistan and were not able to get elected in the national bodies. Before the entire Kashmir could be liberated by the army Nehru (persuaded by Mountbatten) submitted the case to the UN against the wishes of several Indian leaders and also the army. Nehru later regretted having done so (Loke Sabha Debates, 1963). As stated earlier, Pakistan admitted entry of its troops and other irregulars into J&K. The Security Council in a resolution, dated 13th August 1948, proposed a three-step solution for the Kashmir imbroglio. 1. A. cease-fire, which happened on 1st January, 1948. 2. Pakistan to pull out of the state completely, which has not happened so far. 3. Future of the state to be decided by the people, after the first two steps are completed (Bhattacharya, 1994; Chopra, 1990; Chibber, 1998; Vas, 2000). Between 1951 and 1958, the Security Council appointed five representatives (three of them US citizens) to study the question of implementation of the UN Resolution leading to a plebiscite. None of these representatives could come to an agreement. They were of the view that a plebiscite would create more problems. These reports were accepted by the UN. Since 1958 no representative was appointed by the UN on Kashmir imbroglio. Hence it is clear that for the UN, plebiscite became a dead issue (Lakhera, 2000). Later, Koffe Annan, the Secretary General of the UN also expressed similar opinion during his visit to Pakistan in 2001. He stated that UN resolution could not be applied to Kashmir issue and suggested that it should be solved according to the Lahore Declarations (Agencies Islamabad, March 11, 2001).

The Indian government asked the J&K government to convene an elected Constituent Assembly to debate and give its verdict on accession with India. Accession was ratified by the J&K state Constituent Assembly, based on adult franchise, to show the wishes of the masses (Mahajan, 1963). However, Pakistan still occupies POK/ GK and the Northern areas as well as creates problems in J&K. Very little development has however, taken place in GK /POK and consequently GK public is highly dissatisfied. Indian J&K had democratically elected governments regularly, which have time and again declared J&K to be an integral part of India. On the other hand, Pakistan several times attempted to annex Kashmir by wars and got defeated repeatedly. Therefore, it has now started proxy war or cross-border terrorism through sponsored terrorists, with monetary support from several nations. Through extremists, it has been threatening the Kashmiris to stay away from elections (Nayar, 1998; Nagaich et. al, 2009). But the threats were never heeded to by majority of the residents. In 2011 Panchayat elections again secessionists were disappointed when more than 82% people voted for elections, showing complete faith in the Indian democracy. Therefore, what now remains to be done is to hold a plebiscite in POK/GK, after withdrawal of Pakistani forces.

During freedom struggle USA showed more understanding of Indian views than that shown by UK. The US however, did not accept merger of Kashmir into India as a legal act although it agreed with merger of all other states. The US even doubted Maharaja Hari Singh having signed the accord of accession. This laid a strong foundation for difficulties and strained Indo-US relations (Dennis Kux, 1993; Dixit, 1995 & 1998). Thus the goodwill, which prevailed until freedom, started diminishing. In the UN, the US and UK agreed more or less with Pakistani views whereas USSR considered the merger of Kashmir into India as legally proper like that of other states as per Freedom act. It is true the Anglo-American plans did not succeed in dragging India into a plebiscite net but the real issue of vacation of Pak-sponsored aggression receded into background. With this beginning under the leadership of Britain, the US from time to time opposed Kashmir accession, irrespective of the freedom declaration signed by the concerned parties. Therefore, the US considers entire Kashmir as disputed territory, indirectly encouraging Pakistan to treat Kashmir as the core issue in Indo-Pak relations, whereas it agrees with merger of other princely states as legal. At the same time, it keeps silent on transfer of a part of Kashmir to China by Pakistan. The US continued economic and agricultural research cooperation with India, military partnership with Pakistan and gave ‘most favored nation’ status to China (Cohen, 1985; Dennis Kux, 1993; Dixit, 1998). The Pokhran II nuclear tests carried out by India in May, 1998, following Pakistani receipt of Chinese help on nuclear arsenals and North Korean help on missile technology resulting into testing of Ghauri missile, further ignited fire in the Indo-US relationship. According to the former Ambassador Richard Celeste Indo-US ties went through difficult time again during that period. Providing a broad perspective on Indo-US relations at the Asia Society, he spoke of nearly one million strong Indo-American community and reiterated that it could form the intellectual bridge to improve the mutual ties to their full potential. According to government of India it was necessary for India to become a nuclear weapon state for regional security reasons because none of the nuclear powers agreed to give India a nuclear umbrella and also for meeting civil energy shortage. Despite the fact that former Indian Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, as early as 1988 proposed Action Plan for Ushering in a Nuclear-Weapon-Free and Non-violent World Order, none of the nuclear power States however realized the cost of their cynicism to revise their action plan to usher in a nuclear-weapon free world (Rajiv Gandhi, 1988). On the contrary, France and China detonated nuclear arsenals despite world-wide opposition and neither the US nor any other country imposed economic sanctions on them or cut off any trade with them. The US itself started sub-critical tests of its stockpile of nuclear weapons and missiles to improve their reliability and efficiency. After G.W. Bush took over the sole super power nation, nuclear arsenals were tested more than half a dozen times. In September 2003, budget allotment had been made for further research on nuclear arsenals to produce smaller nuclear bombs to destroy underground bunkers etc. US Senate approved Energy Bill for 2004 authorizing more than $21 million for further studies on nuclear weapons required in battlefields (Seattle Times September 2003). The US and some other nations had imposed economic sanctions on India, which were slowly withdrawn by President George Bush. In a series of more than a dozen meetings between Jaswant Singh and Strobes Talbot, the US disagreed with India on the need for Pokhran II tests, despite prevailing regional hostility. Several years later both nations agreed to fight terrorism on an international level (Talbot, 2004). On one hand the US discourages military regimes in Myanmar and other places but supports the same in Pakistan by heavy funding, military supplies and NATO membership status etc. Therefore, not only India but the NAM nations also did not appreciate these facts and openly stated that knowing fully well the role of North Korea-China-Pakistan team is playing, the US is closing its eyes and is continuously encouraging China by declaring it as Asian leader and Pakistan as an important ally. In fact some analysts were of the view that with the US approval, China continued helping Pakistan with arms, M-11 and Hatf missiles as well as with the nuclear technology. For getting Nodong missiles from North Korea, Pakistan supplied nuclear know-how and the US did not take any action. As a deterrent India had to continue developing missiles and the year 2012 saw development of Agni-5, which can cover up to 5 to 7 thousand kms. The US desired India and Pakistan to sign CTBT (although it was not ratified by US Senate), which India had been declining since the beginning because it viewed CTBT as discriminatory. Pakistan had been denying it because India was not signing it. In the light of the foregoing, it is very difficult to comprehend for India and the US to come to common terms unless they leave the path they have chosen to follow. In 2006 President Bush and Prime Minister Singh signed Indo-US Civil nuclear pact. This pact was approved by IAEA and NSG and had been agreed by the US Senate & Congress to be made an Act. India described the pact as a forward looking and momentous decision. Civil nuclear pact has overturned three decades of US anti-proliferation policy by permitting sending of nuclear fuel and technology to India, even though India did not sign non proliferation treaty (AP September 8, 2008). In 2010 Obama administration signed spent fuel agreement. These agreements and Obama’s endorsement of India for UNSC permanent seat showed a clear change in the thinking of US towards India. In fact John Huntsman, a republican candidate for Presidency said, Given the volatility in South Asia, in particular uncertainty coming from Pakistan in terror war, the US needs to shore up its relationship with India. We share common values and democratic heritage. very rocky region (PTI September 30, 2011).

After September 11 terror attacks the US operation Enduring Freedom was started and India passed on the information it had collected on cross-border terrorism. At the same time it continued its retaliatory actions against terrorist infiltrations in J&K. One stand off between Indian and Pakistani forces took place when Secretary Colin Powell reached Islamabad, before flying to New Delhi in October 2001 (TOI October 16, 2001). Skirting the issue of terrorists training camps in POK/ GK Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told Defense Minister George Fernandes that the war against terrorism would not end after Afghanistan. We will be pursuing terrorists wherever they are. We began with Afghanistan because Al Qaida is there. He also spoke of strengthening military-to-military ties between India and the US (Express News Service 5th November 2001). In 2002-03 and later several Indo-US joint military and naval exercises were held in both nations. The Indian army procured nearly $43 million worth US equipment to modernize its infantry. As a symbol of cooperation Indian navy’s vessel INS Tarangini docked near Washington DC in October. Earlier USS Sides had docked off Kochi coast in South India (India Abroad November 7, 2003) and agreed in 2010 to purchase civil & military equipment worth about 14 billion dollars. Since then more than 2 dozen joint Indo-US military exercises were held. Since September 11 attacks the CIA has funneled billions of dollars to Pakistan’s ISI, accounting to one third of the foreign spy agency’s annual budget, US officials said. The ISI has also collected tens of millions of dollars from a classified CIA rewards program. Despite information that the ISI continues to help Taliban militants, the payments are continuing. The Taliban militants getting help from USA undermine US efforts in Af-Pak region and provide help to Al-Qaida in Pakistan (Seattle times November 15, 2009). Mike Mullen, the topmost US military commander, told the Congress and the National Public Radio that ISI was supporting Haqqanis financially, logistically and by a free passage in the Pak safe haven so that they can carry out terrorism (PTI September 29, 2011).

Reversing the US policies, President Bush agreed to sell F-16/ F-18 or improved versions along with transfer of technology too besides agreeing for the Indo-US civil nuclear deal in 2005. In 2006 he finally signed the civil nuclear energy bill. The House and the Senate had already passed the measures, for which an agreement was signed between Manmohan Singh and G.W. Bush in March, 2006. The US, France, Russia and Britain too began to realize that India requires additional energy badly to meet its civil needs and it is a responsible nuclear State. These countries are therefore willing to help the nation in this matter (Subramanyam, 2005). The implications of this nuclear pact were discussed continuously by experts and analysts. As per views of Dr. A.N. Prasad, ex-Director of the Bhabha Atomic Research Institute, separation of civil and military units is next to impossible under Indian conditions. Further Indian army activities are not aimed at stockpiling of nuclear arsenals. Indian objective is mainly deterrence, which is based on a regional threat perception. He said, going down the route of stockpiling, which is the logic of the Indo-US joint statement, would be counterproductive and very expensive (Koshi, 2006). The former ambassador, G. Parthasarthy, former security adviser, Brajesh Mishra and some others were however of the view that this nuclear pact was in the interest of both nations. They say opening of India’s nuclear industry to $100 billion in potential sales from abroad will help cement our mutual ties. Some estimates placed the potential value of the deal at $ 30 billion in the US and India alone. Further, it would also add 10,000 to 15,000 jobs in the US (Koshi, 2006).

Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) was withdrawn by the Congress-led UPA government for protection of minorities but nothing was mentioned for protection of both minorities and majority from terror attacks from within or across-borders. After 26/ 11 Mumbai attacks a pressure was there for creation of National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and an act (UAPA) for dealing with terrorists was brought in 2008. Terrorism is threatening our sovereignty and integrity but it is being treated as simple law and order problem to make the nation become a sponge that protects others. No other nation has lost so many lives, even then we have week laws to fight terrorism. The US has ‘Patriot Act’, England and Pakistan have new strong terror laws, which make even hijacking punishable by death but India has not only week but takes years to award punishment. Even after award of punishment by judiciary action takes long time or is even not executed for political (?) reasons. A clemency petition for 2001 parliament attack convict Afzal Guru was filed in 2011 by an independent member, Rasheed and supported by PDP. Majority of Indian are keen to see this convict as well as Kasab hanged for their terror actions. Therefore, India needs to apply the reforms for quick actions proposed by ‘Malimath Committee’. For this we need a strong government which can convey its message to public by its deeds and not by words (Nagaich, 2009).

The deals worth $12 to 14 billion for purchase of civil and military hardware, signed during present President Barack Obama’s visit to India from 6th to 8th November, 2010 are expected to create about 54, 000 jobs in the US. Taking a lenient view, the President allowed export of the dual use technology. While addressing Parliament in New Delhi Obama gave a pleasant surprise by promising to endorse a permanent seat of the Security Council of the United Nation to India at the time of UN reforms. Next year India was elected as a temporary member of UNSC.

This book should be interesting to readers, who may like to know about various aspects of Kashmiriat- life, culture, economy, arts, history, temples-monuments, agri- horticulture, wild-life, regional beauty, politics and adjoining peaceful hill states as well as the terror nation is facing from across borders. India is a multicultural pluralistic society which was reflected in the true Kashmiriat. With spread of extremism atmosphere changed. Past history of Kashmir is now not told to young ones in homes or in schools. They do not know the benefits of Kashmiriat or who were their grand parents. To describe the present position and the regional beauty Koul (1999) wrote, in his book, Kashmir known to be a ‘garden of eternal beauty’ is now ‘hell-hole of violence’, intimidation and terrorism. Such views forced me to write this book about a region which I admired and helped. The material has been derived from the records of scholars like Kalhan, Younghusband, Joseph Korbel, Birbal Nath, Cohen, Stephen, S. Gangopadhyay, S. Bhat, Selig Harrison, Manmohan Dhar, L.N. Dhar, M.K.Teng, Balraj Puri and many others. I am extremely grateful to all of them. Dr. S. M. Paul Khurana, former Vice Chancellor, Yogesh Mudgal and Saket Sangar helped us in procuring information and photos, they deserve our gratitude. Thanks are due to Dr. M. Blaufarb for facilitating my researching in California libraries. Dr. Wolf Prensky helped my working in the US university towns. I am, therefore, grateful to him too. Rajiv Nagaich became a resident of USA, which gave me a reason to come here. He has been furthering my writing endeavors. Jamie Nagaich offered computer aid whenever needed for which I thank her. Information was also collected from the institutions like ICAR, New Delhi; Agri-varsity SKUAST, Srinagar; Northern & Central Army H.Qs., Udhampur & Lucknow; several Newspapers for which we will remain indebted to them. Ved Prakash Nagaich, Dy. Director of Archeology, supplied photos of temple ruins for which I thank him.

Dr. B.B. Nagaich

Former Director, C.P.R.I., Shimla

INTRODUCTION

(B.B.Nagaich)

The splendor and solitude of Kashmir (Srinagar) valley is legendary. In the words of the great Sanskrit poet Kalidas, Kashmir is more beautiful than the heaven and is the benefactor of supreme bliss and happiness. Kashmir’s greatest historian Kalhan called it the best place in the Himalayas---. The Nineteenth century British historian Sir Walter Lawrence wrote that, The valley is an emerald set in pearls; a land of lakes, clear streams, green turf, magnificent trees and mighty mountains where the air is cool and the water sweet, where men are strong and women vie with the soil in fruitlessness. In Kashmir grow the rare trees and herbs, including the most precious flower called saffron. In its meadows graze the lambs and goats bearing the most exquisite wool fit to drape the Gods. Its Dal lake, the house-boats, Gulmarg with glaciers have made it an international tourist spot. To talk of its temples, the holy Amarnath and Vaishnav Devi temples where thousands and thousands of devout Hindus trek every year, regardless of inclement weather and a danger of terrorists. Similarly the Shiva temple, the Kshir Bhawani or Kheer Bhawani, with their lofty associations with great masterminds, are visited by thousands of Hindu or Sanatni (everlasting) worshippers.

The earliest recorded history of Kashmir by Kalhan begins at the time of Mahabharat war- a war between honest and dishonest. The ancient Greeks called it ‘Kasperia’ and the Chinese pilgrim Hun-Tsang, who visited the valley in 7thcentury, called it ‘Kashmilo’. During the 3rd century BC, Emperor Ashok ruled India and extended his rule into Kashmir. He is known to have established the city of Srinagar. During his period Buddhism took roots among the population, which was earlier Hindu or Vedic. Later, Kashmir formed a part of several other Empires. Kings Lalitaditya and Awanit Varman were the other illustrious kings in Eighth and Ninth centuries. Owing to decadence and turmoil in Fourteenth century, Muslims came into power. While the early Islamic rulers were liberal, several of the subsequent rulers were not. They carried out mass conversions of the people of other religions, killed or forced a large number of Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists, particularly Pandits to leave the valley. In 1814, Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab invaded Kashmir. He took over the area completely in about 5 years and continued ruling it. Kashmir was ultimately sold to Maharaja Gulab Singh, a Dogra ruler of the area in 1846. Dogra rule lasted till 1947, when Kashmir merged into independent India. At the time of independence in 1947 the state of Kashmir consisted of Jammu province, princely state of Poonch, the Gilgit Agency including Hunza & Nagar, Ladakh and Balistan. The Muslims, who were in majority in the Srinagar valley but in minority in Jammu and Ladakh regions, were not satisfied with the rule of Maharaja Hari Singh and called him ‘autocratic’ and launched an agitation in 1931 for getting their demands fulfilled. A few well known leaders like Sheikh Abdullah, Bakshi Gulam Muhammad Sadiq and Mirza Afzal Beg came into prominence because of this agitation. Their fight for liberation from considered autocratic rule was duly supported by Indian National congress leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (of Kashmiri origin), Sardar B. Patel and Molana A. Azad etc. Mir Waiz Mohammad Y. Shah, for his selfish interest, revived the forgotten Muslim Conference but got only a very limited favorable response from public at that time. A year before independence M. A. Jinnah visited Kashmir to convince people for their support to his proposal for a separate Islamic country. There he also met the Maharaja and tried to persuade him to accede into the proposed Pakistan but was rebuffed despite the fact that Jinnah gave almost a blank check to the ruler. At the time of independence in 1947 Hari Singh took unusually long period to decide the issue of accession. Instead he signed a Stand-Still agreement with Pakistan but India refused to sign such an agreement.

Indian constitution kept democracy and economic growth separate but not mutually exclusive. On the other hand it did keep religion and politics as exclusive of each other and not close partners as in Pakistan. Indian electorate has been growing in size, becoming wise and demanded accountability. The unhappy part of the electorate is that the uneducated and under-privileged voters are more in numbers than the educated people and they (uneducated) vote in higher percentage. Therefore, more and more undesirable elements like Mafias and black-money people are getting undue advantage with the result that politics has become criminalized and corrupt. In a sample study it has been found that communal violence in India is sporadic and limited to town or region at the most. Kashmir was better than many other regions and well known for having nurtured different religious affiliations and philosophies. It is a region where many religions co-existed in great harmony since ancient times. The paradise of Kashmir has inspired the development of several religious philosophies since time immemorial. Surrounded by the natural grandeur in this region one constantly resorts to high thinking. Shavism glorified the world as a manifestation of the beauty and innocence of Lord Shiva. The austere thoughts and philosophy of early Buddhism were also transformed into glorious aspects of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism. The spread of Islam introduced the humanistic Sufi ideals and philosophy into Kashmir region. These blended with the everlasting Sanatni/ Hindu and Buddhist thoughts, which were earlier prevalent here for a very long duration. Vedic or Sanatni philosophy, Sufism and Sikhism flourished simultaneously in the Srinagar valley and other parts of Kashmir and was called multicultural ‘Kashmiriyat’. However the new generation was neither taught of religious harmony nor old history of the region in schools or homes, which is essential for peace & harmony.

The original Kashmir state is currently in 3 countries, India, Pakistan and China (Annexure 1). India has about 45 per cent area, Pakistan has about 35 per cent area and China about 20 per cent of the total area. In other words Pakistan and China combined have more area of Kashmir than India. The population of the present J&K (Indian Kashmir) is nearly 9 million, with a very large percentage of minorities and a small percentage of nationalist Muslims, having been killed or moved out of the state due to cross-border terrorism. Majority of these evacuees still are homeless, residing in the country or abroad. Of the J&K population almost 6 million are Muslims and the rest are minorities like Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and Christians. There are three distinct regions in J&K, namely Srinagar valley, Ladakh and Jammu regions. Muslims are in majority only in the valley region. According to Younghusband, the inhabitants were originally Hindu and Buddhists. It was only in 14th century that they were converted mostly by force to become Islamic. He further observed that Kashmiri women were strikingly beautiful with clear-cut features, large dark eyes and a general Jewish appearance (Younghusband, 1899). In old Jewish books also it has been mentioned that some of the Jews migrated to the East and it is considered that they settled in Kashmir. According to him, Kashmiri Muslims’ faith in Islam or Pan-Islamism is so deep rooted that sacrilege of Holy Quran or demolition of a temple converted into a mosque in distant Ayodhya (U.P.) or in Jerusalem in a different country propels Muslim population into unnecessary ruthless violence and mass hysteria. He stated that the UN regional head quarters at Srinagar were surrounded when Jews had harmed Al Aqsa mosque (Masjid) in Israel. Similar religious frenzy burst out during the Holy Relic theft agitation in 1963-64 in Hazratbal. Similarly Sheikh Abdullah spoke to Joseph Korbel of the fanatical devotion of his followers to Islam (Korbel, 1966). On 13th September, 2010 serious street protests, stone throwing, burning of government buildings as well as Christian schools were carried out by Pakistan supported separatists in J&K in which about a dozen civilians and police personals died. Some analysts consider that these protests were earlier planned by disgruntled elements to be carried out after the holy month of Ramadan. Fortunately for them mass hysteria again developed after Iranian TV channel repeatedly broadcasted the news of desecration of Quran in the US by some anti-Muslim elements, although the Florida pastor, who had earlier planned Quran burning on September 11, had declared ahead of time that this act would not be carried out. Islamabad availed the opportunity to play its game by using encouraged separatists. For such reasons India is forced sometimes to impose ban on foreigners visiting Kashmir and ask them to go to H.P. or Uttaranchal. As per Peerzada Ashiq (H.T. February 10, 2011) Srinagar youth did not prefer azadi or freedom (as desired by separatists) but wanted education, freedom from drugs, entering from across borders. They told the reporter (Peerzada Ashiq) that they want to fight drug menace and care for education, more sports clubs and computer centers.

Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) was one of the 565 princely states in the Indian sub-continent on which the British paramountcy was over at the midnight of 15th August, 1947. The state rulers were given the choice to either join India or Pakistan or stay independent. Maharaja Hari Singh, the ruler of Kashmir did not opt to join either of the two dominions and signed a Standstill agreement with Pakistan pending final decision. Although, followers of Islam were in majority in the state, through centuries of their joint history and common ancestry they had inherited tolerance from Sanatni Hindu religion and peaceful co-existence. The National Conference, led by Sheikh Abdullah, later his son Forookh Abdullah and now his grand son Omar Abdullah believed in nationalism for community interests. As stated earlier, M.A. Jinnah went to Kashmir before freedom, and tried to win sympathy of Kashmiri Muslims and also of the Maharaja for proposed Pakistan but failed utterly. It is definite if a plebiscite was held soon after partition, it would surely have been in favor of India. This is quite clear from the fact that Kashmiri Muslims fought against Afridi tribals and Pakistani forces to help Indian forces to repel invaders from Kashmir in 1947.

Frustrated Pakistan had incited tribesmen and troops to enter Kashmir, in the name of volunteers, on 20th October, 1947 to indulge in large-scale bloodshed and mayhem. A week after Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Accession accord with India.The accession was accepted by Lord Mountbatten to make it a legal act. Thus Kashmir became an integral part of India. Next day, the Indian army was rushed to the State to drive out Pakistani invaders (Mahajan, 1963). The army fought a sustained battle and succeeded in pushing out infiltrators from the valley, Ladakh and certain regions of Jammu. India took the issue of Pak aggression to the UN. The support for Pakistan in the UN due to British lobbying on the basis of majority Muslims was because of Western members of the Security Council. On January 27, 1948 Belgian Ambassador, Prince de Ligne informed Nehru that the US views on Kashmir were influenced less by intrinsic merits than by broad political considerations of their World strategy because of tension between USA and USSR. On 1st January, 1948 a ceasefire actually had come in operation, leaving about 84,000 sq. km. area of J&K under control of Pakistan (POK), called Gulam Kashmir (GK) by India and Azad Kashmir by Pakistan. According to Maulana Abul A’la Maududi, the late founder of Jamaat-i-Islami the so-called volunteers could not legitimately declare religious war (Stern, 2003). To please Pakistan, China started calling GK as Northern Kashmir in 2010 and J&K as India occupied or India Controlled Kashmir. When UNCIP proposed that Pakistan should withdraw its forces from Kashmir, Liaqat Ali Khan approached Britain and played his major trump card of defense alliance with UK. POK is a highly undeveloped area with annual per capita income of about $184. Lack of education and malnutrition are common as per World Bank reports. In addition to meager agricultural and forestry income, the major source of income is in remittances from people recruited in Pakistan army. Unlike Indian Kashmir (which is a prosperous state) horticulture, health services and education are not well developed in GK. Plans for development in POK/GK are made in Islamabad, where there is no priority for this region, although there is great potential for hydel projects. Since then the J&K including GK remained an important unsettled issue between the two nations of one land (Chibber, 1998; Chopra, 1990). The two countries were on war several times (always started by Pakistan) but could not work out strong economic ties, which are vital for mutual benefit. The humiliation and defeat suffered by Pakistan in 1971 was a major setback to the national pride of Pak citizens and their military could not overcome it till now. Experts and analysts think Pakistan is carrying out cross-border terrorism to take a revenge for the 1971 humiliation. Military regimes tried to hide administrative inefficiency and the economic lapses of their misrules by carrying out attacks on India. General Zia-ul-Haq launched a full-fledged campaign to foment militancy through active and persistent support to antinational/ antisocial elements in J&K, materially, politically and by covert use of its troops and the sophisticated military hardware obtained from USA (Dixit, 1995; Ganguly, 1993, 1999).

Beginning from the early 1980s Pakistan unleashed a venomous drive in the sacred name of Islam to induce innocent Kashmiri youth by brain washing to an assault on ‘Hindu/ Vedic India’. Its target has been the young Kashmiri uneducated Muslim boys from rural background, who did not understand the real Pakistani motives and the same is being continued even now (BBC News 8th November, 2010). Audiocassettes made in Islamabad were blaring from captive mosques urging the faithful to join Jehad against infidel Indians. The ISI sponsored Pakistanis familiar with sabotage roamed the rural areas as religious preachers to sway the innocent youth against India with their oratory. The boys were brainwashed and Janata lured to cross over to the other side of the border, indoctrinated in camps run by Pakistani army and mullahs. Those who could not manage to go across due to some reasons were imparted training locally and were