Analysis of Historical and Cultural Importance of Kashmir

Abstract

This article is focused on the historical and cultural significance of the issue of Kashmir. The first part of the article justifies strategic importance of the Kashmir region and gives an overview of its geography, economy and social structure. In addition it also gives brief account of population trends in the Kashmir. The second part of the paper analyses the status of Kashmir as a princely state before the establishment of colonial rule in India and it discusses political change in the Kashmir during the British period. The third part of the paper examines the issue during the post-partition period. It is argued in the paper that the issue of the problem was an outcome of the unjust partition of British India. The state of Jammmu and Kashmir was supposed to join Pakistan according to the principles of the Partition plan. Nevertheless, the violation of the principles in the distribution of territories between India and Pakistan gave India a passage to the Kashmir valley. Thus, India was able to claim over Kashmir was as its constituent part.