A Historical Perspective on Jammu and Kashmir: The Pre-Independence Years

Abstract

This research paper examines the historical development of Jammu and Kashmir from the formation of the princely state under the Treaty of Amritsar in 1846 to its integration with India in 1947. The British acknowledgement of Gulab Singh's sovereignty established Jammu and Kashmir as a strategic buffer between British India and adjacent nations, fitting with British imperial objectives. During Dogra's governance, the state saw considerable social and economic inequalities, particularly affecting the Muslim majority, who endured oppressive laws and biased taxes. This exploitation incited resistance movements, particularly under Sheikh Abdullah, whose Quit Kashmir movement in 1946 epitomised the increasing need for political reform. During the Dogra era, political activism escalated, as organisations such as the All Jammu & Kashmir Muslim Conference (subsequently the National Conference) pursued socio-political rights and the abolition of authoritarian governance. The accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India during the partition of British India represented a pivotal moment in the region's history, influencing its identity and establishing its position within the geopolitical framework of South Asia. This paper analyses the history of Jammu and Kashmir’s political, social, and economic dynamics, offering insights into the reasons that facilitated its integration into modern India and the enduring legacies that affect the region's contemporary difficulties.