🔹 Introduction
Kashmir, often referred to as “Paradise on Earth,” is one of the most contested and militarized regions in the world. Nestled in the Himalayas, the region has been at the epicenter of conflicts involving India, Pakistan, and even China. While its ancient and medieval history is rich and diverse, the post-1945 era marks a turning point filled with conflict, treaties, insurgency, and political upheaval. This blog provides an exhaustive account of Kashmir’s history after 1945, presenting untold events and highlighting lesser-known facts for a deep understanding.
🔴 Timeline of Key Events
| Year | Event |
| 1947 | Partition of India; Maharaja signs Instrument of Accession |
| 1948 | First Indo-Pak War ends with UN intervention |
| 1952 | Delhi Agreement signed between Nehru and Sheikh Abdullah |
| 1953 | Sheikh Abdullah dismissed and arrested |
| 1965 | Second Indo-Pak War over Kashmir |
| 1971 | Third Indo-Pak War leading to Bangladesh creation |
| 1972 | Simla Agreement; LoC recognized |
| 1987 | Rigged elections lead to insurgency |
| 1990 | Armed insurgency erupts; Pandit exodus begins |
| 1999 | Kargil War |
| 2008 | Amarnath land row agitation |
| 2016 | Killing of Burhan Wani |
| 2019 | Revocation of Article 370 & 35A |
| 2020 | New domicile laws introduced |
📌 Background: Pre-Partition Politics
Before 1947, Jammu and Kashmir was a princely state under Maharaja Hari Singh. The population was predominantly Muslim, but the ruler was a Hindu. As independence neared, princely states were given the choice to join India or Pakistan or remain independent. Hari Singh initially chose independence. However, in October 1947, tribal forces from Pakistan invaded, leading to his decision to sign the Instrument of Accession with India on October 26, 1947.
🔎 Instrument of Accession
- Allowed India jurisdiction over defense, foreign affairs, and communication.
- Promised a plebiscite once the region stabilized.
🏛️ United Nations Involvement (1948-49)
India took the matter to the UN. The United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) passed resolutions calling for:
- Ceasefire
- Withdrawal of Pakistani forces
- Indian troop reduction
- A plebiscite under UN supervision
Why the Plebiscite Never Happened:
- Pakistan didn’t withdraw its troops as per Resolution 47.
- India insisted on complete demilitarization before the plebiscite.
🚨 Indo-Pakistani Wars Over Kashmir
First War (1947-48)
- Ended with the establishment of the Ceasefire Line.
- Pakistan retained 1/3rd of J&K (now Gilgit-Baltistan and AJK).
Second War (1965)
- Pakistan initiated “Operation Gibraltar.”
- India counterattacked.
- Tashkent Agreement signed.
Third War (1971)
- Led to Bangladesh’s creation.
- Reoriented global focus but reinforced Kashmir’s strategic value.
Simla Agreement (1972)
- Converted Ceasefire Line to Line of Control (LoC).
- Bilateral resolution framework established.
🚑 Rise of Political Tensions and Insurgency (1953–1989)
1953: Arrest of Sheikh Abdullah
- Alleged conspiracy to create independent Kashmir.
- Seen as a betrayal of Kashmir’s autonomy.
1965-1986: Erosion of Autonomy
- Constitutional amendments reduced J&K’s autonomy.
- Parallel integration into Indian Union structures.
1987 Rigged Elections
- Muslim United Front’s strong showing suppressed.
- Youth radicalization began, leading to armed insurgency.
👮️♂️ Insurgency and Armed Rebellion (1989–1999)
Armed Uprising Begins (1989)
- Influenced by Afghan Mujahideen success.
- Pakistan-supported groups like JKLF, Hizbul Mujahideen gained ground.
Exodus of Kashmiri Pandits (1990)
- Targeted killings and threats forced Pandits to flee.
- Over 100,000 displaced; cultural vacuum created.
AFSPA Implementation (1990)
- Gave the army wide powers in “disturbed areas.”
- Criticized for human rights violations.
Human Rights Concerns
- Mass graves discovered.
- Enforced disappearances.
- Alleged fake encounters.
🚀 Kargil War (1999)
- Pakistani soldiers disguised as militants occupied Kargil heights.
- India launched Operation Vijay.
- Conflict ended with Indian victory and U.S. diplomatic support.
📄 Political Developments: From Autonomy to Central Rule
Article 370 & Article 35A
- Provided autonomy and special rights.
- Barred non-residents from buying land.
2019: Revocation of Article 370
- Presidential order passed on August 5, 2019.
- J&K bifurcated into two Union Territories: J&K and Ladakh.
Immediate Consequences
- Curfew imposed.
- Internet and mobile services suspended.
- Detention of political leaders.
🪜 Post-2019 Kashmir: Silence, Surveillance & Sentiment
Internet Shutdowns
- Longest-ever internet blackout in a democracy.
- Economic and educational impacts.
Domicile Law Changes (2020)
- Opened up land rights to non-residents.
- Sparked fears of demographic change.
Political Landscape
- Mainstream leaders sidelined.
- Apolitical governance through LG.
Youth and Social Media
- Rise of encrypted communication.
- Online resistance movements.
🌐 International Reactions
- UN raised concerns over human rights.
- OIC condemned Indian actions.
- U.S. and EU issued cautious statements urging bilateral talks.
🎭 Cultural Resistance & Identity
- Literature, poetry, and music reflect trauma.
- Films like “Haider” and books by Basharat Peer give voice.
- Local art as protest medium.
🔫 Militancy in the 21st Century
- Hybrid militancy: Civilians turning into part-time fighters.
- Drone-based arms delivery from across LoC.
- Increased encounters and targeted killings.
🤔 Future Outlook
- Restoration of statehood still pending.
- Political vacuum persists.
- Youth demand dignity, jobs, and justice.
- Peace depends on dialogue, trust, and reconciliation.
🤔 50 Unique & Rarely Found FAQs About Kashmir After 1945
(1. What was the role of Maharaja Hari Singh in shaping Kashmir’s fate post-1947? He initially wanted independence but acceded to India after the tribal invasion in 1947.
2. Why did the UN propose a plebiscite in Kashmir? To allow the people of Kashmir to decide whether they wanted to join India or Pakistan.
3. What conditions did the UN resolution set for the plebiscite? Withdrawal of Pakistani forces and reduction of Indian troops.
4. Why was the plebiscite never held? Pakistan did not withdraw its forces, violating UN Resolution 47.
5. What was the Delhi Agreement of 1952? It formalized Kashmir’s autonomy within India while integrating certain institutions.
6. Why was Sheikh Abdullah arrested in 1953? He was suspected of harboring separatist intentions and challenging India’s authority.
7. What is the significance of Article 370? It granted special status and autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir.
8. What did Article 35A do? It empowered the state to define permanent residents and grant them special rights.
9. Why is the Simla Agreement of 1972 important? It made Kashmir a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan.
10. What was Operation Gibraltar? A failed Pakistani operation to infiltrate Kashmir in 1965.
11. What impact did the 1965 war have on Kashmir? It entrenched military presence and mistrust on both sides.
12. How did the 1971 war affect the Kashmir dispute? It shifted attention to East Pakistan but reaffirmed India’s strategic hold in Kashmir.
13. What role did the JKLF play in the 1980s? They initiated the armed separatist movement in Kashmir.
14. How did the 1987 elections impact Kashmiri politics? Alleged rigging led to mass disillusionment and sparked the insurgency.
15. What is AFSPA and how does it affect Kashmir? A law granting special powers to the military, often criticized for rights abuses.
16. What triggered the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990? Militant threats and killings forced over 100,000 Pandits to flee the Valley.
17. What is the role of Hizbul Mujahideen? A militant group advocating for Kashmir’s merger with Pakistan.
18. What is hybrid militancy? A trend where civilians take up arms occasionally, making it harder to detect militants.
19. Why is Burhan Wani considered a turning point? His killing in 2016 led to mass protests and renewed militancy.
20. How has the role of women evolved in Kashmir conflict? Women have emerged as protestors, victims, and voices of resilience.
21. What is the role of local media in Kashmir? Despite censorship, local journalists continue reporting under threat.
22. How has literature contributed to Kashmir’s narrative? Books and poetry reflect trauma, resistance, and identity.
23. What are half-widows in Kashmir? Women whose husbands disappeared, their status legally unresolved.
24. What is the impact of internet shutdowns in Kashmir? Severely affects education, economy, and communication.
25. How does the international community view Kashmir? With concern but minimal intervention, mostly advocating bilateral talks.
26. What are enforced disappearances? Detentions where individuals are never seen again, often by security forces.
27. What is the significance of mass graves discovered? They highlight possible extrajudicial killings and human rights violations.
28. Why is 2019 seen as a watershed moment in Kashmir? Abrogation of Article 370 changed Kashmir’s legal and political status.
29. What are the new domicile laws introduced in 2020? They allow non-residents to claim residency and buy land.
30. Why are these domicile laws controversial? They are feared to change Kashmir’s demography and identity.
31. How are youth reacting to post-2019 changes? They show signs of alienation, silence, and occasional resistance.
32. What happened to mainstream political leaders post-2019? Many were detained; their influence has waned significantly.
33. What are PSA detentions? Detentions under the Public Safety Act without trial for up to two years.
34. What is the economic impact of conflict in Kashmir? Tourism, handicrafts, and trade have suffered severe losses.
35. How are schools and colleges affected? Frequent closures and communication bans disrupt education.
36. What are pellet guns and why are they controversial? Used for crowd control, they have blinded hundreds of protestors.
37. How do Kashmiri artists express dissent? Through music, poetry, paintings, and street performances.
38. What is India’s official stance on Kashmir today? Kashmir is an integral part and no third-party mediation is accepted.
39. How does Pakistan view the Kashmir dispute? As an unfinished agenda of Partition and a human rights concern.
40. What is Gilgit-Baltistan’s role in the conflict? Part of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, it has strategic and geographic value.
41. How has China entered the Kashmir equation? Via Aksai Chin and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
42. What is the role of intelligence agencies in Kashmir? RAW, ISI, and others have deep networks influencing events.
43. What are cordon and search operations (CASO)? Military operations to isolate areas and capture militants.
44. What is the role of cross-border shelling? It causes civilian casualties and disrupts life near the LoC.
45. Are there any peacebuilding efforts in place? Few civil society initiatives, but no major official framework.
46. How do elections work in Kashmir post-2019? Under central rule, local elections held with low participation.
47. What is the role of religion in the conflict? Religious identity often intersects with political aspirations.
48. How is Kashmir portrayed in Indian cinema? Often romanticized or militarized, with few accurate depictions.
49. Are Kashmiri voices represented in national media? Rarely; most narratives are top-down and lack local perspectives.
50. What is the future outlook for Kashmir? Uncertain but hopeful if political dialogue and dignity are restored.**)
🔹 Conclusion
The history of Kashmir after 1945 is not merely about borders and battles. It is about identity, autonomy, betrayals, resilience, and the dreams of millions. A nuanced, empathetic understanding is essential to break the cycles of violence and pave the way for lasting peace.
Let this chronicle be a step towards awareness, reflection, and, eventually, transformation.
