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HISTORY OF JAMMU & KASHMIR The State of Jammu and Kashmir is located in the heart of Asia. At the time of the division of the sub-continent in 1947A.D. With the Hindu Dogra rulers conspiracy Hindu India subjugated the Jammu and Kashmir. Kashmiri people revolted against Indian occupation and got liberated some areas. These areas are now known by the name of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Azad Jammu and Kashmir state is located in the northeast of Pakistan. Total area of the state is 13,297 square kilometers with total population 2,915,000 as per 1998-census. According to 1999 projections, total population of Azad Jammu and Kashmir stands at 2,982,000. Azad Kashmir is stretched in the shape of a crescent; 400 kilometers in length with width varying from 15 to 60 kilometers. Azad Kashmir extends from the plains of Mirpur at the northern edge of the Punjab through the outlying foothills of the Himalayas, to the mountains in the north at 6,000 meters above sea level. The state is drained by three major rivers, the Jhelum, the Neelam and the Poonch whose valleys are very beautiful. The terrain is mostly rugged and mountainous with 15,000 feet high mountains in northwest touching the Punjab plains. The area is criss-crossed with rivers and numerous nullahs. Azad Jammu and Kashmir is bounded to Pakistan in southwest and in the east to the Line of Control or (ceasefire line) with Indian administrated Kashmir. The state of Azad Kashmir is divided into two divisions-Muzaffarabad and Mirpur,having7 districts consisting of 18 tehsils/sub-divisions. The territory of Azad Kashmir is dotted with a vast chain of scenic and natural beauty spots amidst flowing streams, gushing springs and flowering plants. The mountain tops over the valley look like circular and rectangular caps. The panorama is really enchanting. It is situated between 32.17 degree and 36.58-degree north latitude and 37.26 degree and 80.30-degree east longitude. The State is bounded by Pakistan in west, by China in northeast, by Afghanistan in northwest and shares borders with India in the south. The area of State of Jammu & Kashmir spreads over 85,806 square miles i.e. 222,236 square kilometres. Total population of the state stands at 13379917. The State of Jammu and Kashmir comprises 26 districts---14 districts of occupied Kashmir, 7 of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and 5 of Northern Areas. Districts and Tehsils
LOCATION The State of Jammu and Kashmir encompasses a mountainous region in the heart of Asia, with borders touching to both South and Central Asia. Surrounded by Pakistan, India, China and Afghanistan. AREA 86,000 square miles, more than three times the size of the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Belgium combined. Bigger than 87 member countries of the United Nations. POPULATION Estimated 13 million, including 1.5 million refugees in Pakistan and 0.5 million expatriates in different parts of the world. Larger than 114 sovereign nations. STATUS Historically independent, except in the anarchical conditions of the late 18th and the first half of the 19th century or when incorporated in the vast empires set up by the Mauryas (3rd century BC), the Mughals (16th to 18th centuries) and the British (mid-19th to mid-20th centuries). All these empires included not only present-day India and Pakistan but other countries as well. The British transferred control over the territory by a sale deed called the Treaty of Amritsar (1846) to a feudal chieftain (the Maharajah) in return for a sum of money. Treaty of Amritsar Article 1: The British government transfers and makes over, forever, independent possession, to Maharaja Gulab Singh, and the heirs male of his body, all the hilly or mountainous country, with its dependencies, situated to the eastward of the river Indus, and westward of the river Ravi, including Chamba and excluding Lahore, being part of the territory ceded to the British government by the Lahore state, according to the provisions of Article 4 of the Treaty of Lahore, dated 9th March 1846. Article 2: The eastern boundary of the tract transferred by the foregoing article to Maharaja Gulab Singh shall be laid down by commissioners appointed by the British government and Maharaja Gulab Singh respectively, for that purpose, and shall be defined in a separate engagement, after survey. Article 3: In consideration of the transfer made to him and his heirs by the provisions of the foregoing articles, Maharaja Gulab Singh will pay to the British government the sum of seventy-lacs (seven and half millions) of rupees (Nanakshahi), fifty lacs to be paid on ratification of this Treaty, and twenty-five lacs on or before the 1st of October of the current year, AD 1846. Article 4: The limits of the territories of Maharaja Gulab Singh shall not be, at any time, changed without concurrence of the British government. Article 5: Maharaja Gulab Singh will refer to the arbitration of the British government any disputes or questions that may arise between himself and the government of Lahore, or any other neighbouring state, and will abide by the decision of the British government. Article 6: Maharaja Gulab Singh engages for himself and heirs, to join with the whole of his military force, the British troops when employed within the hills, or in the territories adjoining his possessions. Article 7: Maharaja Gulab Singh engages never to take, or retain in his service any British subject, nor the subject of any European or American State, without the consent of the British government. Article 8: Maharaja Gulab Singh engages to respect, in regard to the territory transferred to him, the provisions of Articles 5, 6, 7 of the separate engagement between the British government and the Lahore Darbar, dated 11th March, 1846. Article 9: The British government will give its aid to Maharaja Gulab Singh in protecting his territories from external enemies. Article 10: Maharaja Gulab Singh acknowledges the supremacy of the British government, and will, in token of such supremacy, present annually to the British government one horse, twelve perfect shawl goats of approved breed (six male and six female), and three pairs of Kashmir shawls.* This treaty consisting of ten articles, has been this day settled by Frederick Currie, Esq. and Brevet-Major Henry Montgomery Lawrence acting under the directions of the right Honorable Sir Henry Hardinge, G.C.B. Governor-General, on the part of the British government, and by Maharaja Gulab Singh in person; and the said treaty has been this day ratified by the seal of the Right Honorable Henry Hardinge, G.C.B. Governor-General. Done at Amritsar, this 16th day of March, in the year of our Lord 1846, corresponding with the 17th day of Rabi-ul-Awwal, 1252 Hijri. Gulab Singh (LS) H. Hardinge (LS) F. Currie H.M. Lawrence Note: In 1893 it was agreed to drop the gift of "twelve perfect shawl goats." CAUSE OF DISPUTE India's claim that Kashmir is Indian territory is based on nothing more than an Instrument of Accession signed by the Maharajah Hari Singh in order to obtain India's military help against so-called insurgency. This accession was conditional on a reference to a popular vote (not yet held) under impartial auspices. The Indian claim is rejected by the people of Kashmir, and challenged by Pakistan. It has never been accepted by the United Nations, nor legally validated. SOLUTION Demilitarization of Kashmir (through withdrawal of all outside forces) followed immediately by a plebiscite under impartial control to determine the future status of Kashmir. GREAT POWER POLICIES When the dispute was first brought to the United Nations, the Security Council, with the firm backing of the United States, urged the solution described above. At the time, the Soviet Union did not dissent from it. Later, because of the Cold War, the Soviet Union blocked every Resolution of the Security Council calling for implementation of the settlement plan. LIKELY POSSIBILITIES Only two. Either ascertaining the wishes of the people about their future and acting accordingly or the continuance of the status quo with violent repression and carnage in the India-occupied part and chronic conflict and the danger of war in the Subcontinent of South Asia. PRESENT SITUATION Since 1989, Indian forces have been engaged in a sustained campaign of terrorism slaughter, custodial killings, rape, arson, and destruction. The state terrorism has resulted in more than 85,000 lives. IMMEDIATE NECESSITY The intervention of the international community to bring the violence in Kashmir to a quick end. Initiation of a political dialogue between the representatives of the people of Kashmir, and the Government of Pakistan and India to set the stage for a democratic meaningful and peaceful solution. This treaty consisting of ten articles, has been this day settled by Frederick Currie, Esq. and Brevet-Major Henry Montgomery Lawrence acting under the directions of the right Honorable Sir Henry Hardinge, G.C.B. Governor-General, on the part of the British government, and by Maharaja Gulab Singh in person; and the said treaty has been this day ratified by the seal of the Right Honorable Henry Hardinge, G.C.B. Governor-General. Done at Amritsar, this 16th day of March, in the year of our Lord 1846, corresponding with the 17th day of Rabi-ul-Awwal, 1252 Hijri. Gulab Singh (LS) H. Hardinge (LS) F. Currie H.M. Lawrence Note: In 1893 it was agreed to drop the gift of "twelve perfect shawl goats." |
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