Kashmir was not always a part of
India. It was a country ruled by
king Hari Singh even after 1947.
But it could not survive as an
independent state for a long time.
Here is the story behind it-
In 1947, after India got freedom, it
was divided into two countries-
India and Pakistan. Also, there
were 650 princely states (areas
which were ruled by kings before
British rule), all of them had the
option of joining either of the
countries or to form an
independent country. Many kings
wanted their states as independent
countries , but since the people of
these states had fought a long
battle to get freedom, they were
now reluctant to be again ruled by
monarchs. So these kings were
not left with any option other than
joining either of these two
countries.
Kashmir could also join one of
these countries, but the case was
a little peculiar here. The
population here was mainly
muslims but the ruler, King Hari
Singh, was a Hindu. The state and
both of these countries were in
confusion that whom would the
king join and then the king decided
to neither join India nor Pakistan,
but to form another independent
country.
Since Kashmir had 70% of its
population as Muslims, it was
anticipated that it would join
Pakistan. The king’s decision of
not joining Pakistan made the
country angry. They decided to
attack Kashmir so that it accepts
to join them. The king tried to
defend his country but failed to do
so. The king then asked India to
help him defend his country. But
India agreed only on one
condition- he had to sign the
instrument to accession. The king
agreed to the accession of
Kashmir to India.
India. It was a country ruled by
king Hari Singh even after 1947.
But it could not survive as an
independent state for a long time.
Here is the story behind it-
In 1947, after India got freedom, it
was divided into two countries-
India and Pakistan. Also, there
were 650 princely states (areas
which were ruled by kings before
British rule), all of them had the
option of joining either of the
countries or to form an
independent country. Many kings
wanted their states as independent
countries , but since the people of
these states had fought a long
battle to get freedom, they were
now reluctant to be again ruled by
monarchs. So these kings were
not left with any option other than
joining either of these two
countries.
Kashmir could also join one of
these countries, but the case was
a little peculiar here. The
population here was mainly
muslims but the ruler, King Hari
Singh, was a Hindu. The state and
both of these countries were in
confusion that whom would the
king join and then the king decided
to neither join India nor Pakistan,
but to form another independent
country.
Since Kashmir had 70% of its
population as Muslims, it was
anticipated that it would join
Pakistan. The king’s decision of
not joining Pakistan made the
country angry. They decided to
attack Kashmir so that it accepts
to join them. The king tried to
defend his country but failed to do
so. The king then asked India to
help him defend his country. But
India agreed only on one
condition- he had to sign the
instrument to accession. The king
agreed to the accession of
Kashmir to India.
King Hari Singh
* King Hari Singh’s Prime
Minister’s statement about
accession- “I requested immediate
military aid on any terms. [I urged
Nehru to] give us the military force
we need. Take the accession and
give whatever power you (India)
desire to the popular party. The
[Indian] army must fly to save
Srinagar or else I will go to Lahore
and negotiate terms with Mr.
Jinnah.”
As soon as the king signed the
instrument of accession, the Indian
troops started defending Kashmir
on the borders. The war went o for
few days and then the matter went
to UN…
The story will continue in the NEXT blog…
Minister’s statement about
accession- “I requested immediate
military aid on any terms. [I urged
Nehru to] give us the military force
we need. Take the accession and
give whatever power you (India)
desire to the popular party. The
[Indian] army must fly to save
Srinagar or else I will go to Lahore
and negotiate terms with Mr.
Jinnah.”
As soon as the king signed the
instrument of accession, the Indian
troops started defending Kashmir
on the borders. The war went o for
few days and then the matter went
to UN…
The story will continue in the NEXT blog…
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