Va-PoReg Country Report Kashmir 1900–2025

On this date in 1889, maharaja Pratap Singh was divested of his powers as ruler by the British Colonialists (Rai 2004: 137). De facto ruler was the British Resident in Kashmir. The Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir was founded by Gulab Singh who bought the valley for 7.5 million rupees; the colonial administration of the region under British rule started in 1857 (Arakotaram 2009: 29). On 08/21/1905, Lord Curzon, viceroy of India, resigned from his post and granted Maharaja Pratap Singh his powers back, but, depending on the British’ goodwill, the maharaja still had to oblige to the British orders Rai, 2004 #45942: 139}.¹ With the maharaja descending from the Brahman caste of Dogra, Kashmir was ruled by a Hindu, while the vast majority of the region’s population, sources vary from 75% (Arakotaram 2009: 29) to 95% (Rai 2004: 215), was Muslim. The lack of political representation, as well as the Hindu’s disrespect of Muslim religious sites (mosques), sparked periodic protest and, in July 1931, attacks on the Dogra rulers (Rai 2004: 212 f.). Led by Sheikh Abdullah, the Muslim communities developed a unique, nationalist identity, the Kashmiriyat. In 1944, a proclamation was created that demanded the creation of a constitutional monarchy with the protection of civil liberties and the abolition of social disparities. It received support also from Hindu Pandits, who were excluded from political positions as well (Arakotaram 2009: 36).

With the British’ withdrawal from South Asia on this date, the people of Kashmir meant to form an autonomous state. But when Pakistani troops invaded the northern territories (Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir), the Dogra maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession to the Union of India on 10/26/1947 (Rai 2004: 289).² What followed was the First Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-48 and, after a cease-fire was agreed upon, the separation of Pakistani-occupied regions of Kashmir from the Indian part. FH, V-Dem and LIED do not provide any data for Kashmir before 1949.

With the ceasefire agreement the First Indo-Pakistani War ended and the line of control parts Kashmir into a Pakistani and an Indian territory.

For the time after 01/01/1949, see Kashmir, Indian and Kashmir, Pakistani.