The primary reason why Kashmir did not initially join Pakistan is due to the fact that Kashmir had a majority Hindu population and Pakistan was created as a Muslim-majority state. At the time of partition, Maharaja Hari Singh, who ruled over the princely state of Kashmir, was uncertain as to whether he should join India or Pakistan.
This uncertainty was due to the fact that the Hindu ruler was not sure whether his majority Hindu population would be better off joining a Hindu-majority India or a Muslim-majority Pakistan.
Ultimately, the Maharaja decided to keep his kingdom independent and remain neutral in the India-Pakistan dispute. However, this decision brought upon Kashmir two wars and a five-decade-long debate over its ownership.
Prior to the termination of the monarchy, numerous Kashmiris also demonstrated their political will as to which side of the border they wanted to join.
In the years that followed, India took the Kashmir issue to the United Nations. In 1949, the UN passed a resolution calling for a plebiscite in Kashmir wherein the people of Kashmir would be given the freedom to determine the side of the border their would join.
But, due to a number of issues, the plebiscite was never conducted and Kashmir failed to join either India or Pakistan.
Today, Kashmir is split between the two countries and both India and Pakistan claim it as their own territory. Tensions between the two nations has existed ever since the partition of 1947. This has lead to numerous wars and continuing disputes over Kashmir’s borders and its future.
Is Kashmir officially part of Pakistan?
No, Kashmir is not officially part of Pakistan at this time. The political status of Kashmir has been disputed since the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947. Both India and Pakistan claim that Kashmir is part of their respective territories and, as a result, have engaged in numerous wars and skirmishes to gain control of the region.
The two countries have an uneasy truce in place, but it is far from a final resolution to the dispute. India’s Supreme Court ruled in 2019 that it saw all five of the former independent princely states of the region – Kashmir, Jammu, Ladakh, and parts of the surrounding region – as integral and inalienable parts of the Indian Union.
The United Nations also recognizes Kashmir as an integral part of India and has called for both countries to peacefully resolve the Kashmir dispute and respect the human rights of the region’s inhabitants.
Is Kashmir a separate country?
No, Kashmir is not a separate country. The area at the northern tip of the Indian subcontinent, known as Kashmir, is disputed between India, Pakistan, and China. India and Pakistan both claim the region in its entirety and have fought multiple wars over it since their independence in 1947.
In 1949, a United Nations-brokered ceasefire divided the former princely state into the Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir, and the Chinese-held Aksai Chin. The area has remained in tense limbo since, with numerous rounds of UN-backed negotiations between the two countries failing to reach a resolution.
The status of Kashmir remains a significant source of tension between India and Pakistan.
Is Kashmir illegally occupied by India?
The question of whether India is illegally occupying Kashmir is a complicated one, and there are a number of different perspectives on this issue.
India maintains that it is in control of Kashmir in accordance with the provisions of the instrument of accession signed by Hari Singh, the former ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, in 1947. This instrument of accession granted India control over the defense, external affairs, and communications of the region.
While India has maintained this position, Pakistan claims that India has illegally occupied the region and that Kashmir is still disputed territory.
From a legal standpoint, the Indian government has consistently maintained that the instrument of accession is valid, and that they are in control of Kashmir in accordance with it. Various international observers (including the United Nations and the European Union) have repeatedly called for a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir conflict between India and Pakistan in accordance with existing international law and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
However, other observers maintain that India’s continued military presence in Kashmir, combined with the indefinite imprisonment of political activists, the erosion of the people’s rights, as well as the failure to hold a fair, free, and impartial plebiscite on Kashmiri independence, as promised in UN resolutions, amount to an illegal occupation of the region.
Ultimately, the question of whether Kashmir is illegally occupied by India is an incredibly complex and contentious one, and there is no definitive answer.
When did Pakistan lose Kashmir?
Pakistan lost Kashmir in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-1948. The war, fought between newly-independent India and Pakistan over the disputed territory of Kashmir, lasted from October 22nd 1947 to January 1st 1949.
The cease-fire declared on January 1st 1949 is still in effect, and the two countries have fought several wars over the region since then. India maintains control of most of the Kashmir region, while Pakistan holds a small portion, known as Azad Kashmir.
Are US citizens allowed in Kashmir?
No, US citizens are not allowed to enter Kashmir as the region has been subject to various restrictions and travel warnings as a result of a long-running territorial dispute between India and Pakistan.
Currently, India and Pakistan both administer separate portions of the region, with India’s control over regions officially known as Jammu and Kashmir, and Pakistan controlling a region known as Azad Kashmir.
On 5 August 2019, India revoked the special status India had granted to the Indian-administered region of Jammu and Kashmir, and imposed a lengthy curfew in anticipation of possible unrest from the local population.
In the months that followed, US embassies and consulates in India issued a number of travel warnings, advising US citizens to avoid travelling to the region, which further restricted the ability for US citizens to visit Kashmir.
The Indian government has since lifted the curfew, but US citizens are advised to exercise caution when in the region and obey all curfews, restrictions and access control orders issued by the local authorities.
US citizens require a valid Indian visa or e-Visa to enter India, and prior permission or a Protected Area Permit (PAP) to visit Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.
Do we need permission to enter Kashmir?
Yes, if you want to enter the region of Kashmir, then you will need to get permission first. It is important to note that the region of Kashmir is highly militarized and as a result, you need to get permission from the Government of India before attempting to enter the region.
Depending on the purpose of your visit, there are various forms of permission that are required. For leisure, tourism, and pilgrimage trips, you will need an e-visa from the Indian government, while for business and academic travel, you will need to apply for permission from the home ministry.
The process for permission can take several weeks, so it is advised to start the process well in advance before attempting to enter the region.
Why is Kashmir divided into two parts?
Kashmir is a region that has been divided between India, Pakistan, and China in a territorial dispute since 1947. The partition of the region of Kashmir happened due to the 1947 Partition of India, when the British Raj was divided into two sovereign states — India and Pakistan.
This partition was based on the religious demographics of the region, with Muslims living in one side and Hindus living in the other. This led to a dispute over the sovereignty of the region between India and Pakistan, with both countries trying to claim the part of Kashmir for themselves.
As a result of the 1947 Partition, the region of Kashmir was divided into two parts — the Indian-controlled side, known as the “India-controlled region”, and the Pakistani-controlled side, known as the “Pakistan-controlled region”.
This partition remains to this day, with both countries maintaining control of their respective sides of the region.
The ongoing dispute over Kashmir has led to numerous armed conflicts and military standoffs between India and Pakistan over the years, and has been the source of much tension in the region. Both countries have tried to gain diplomatic control of the region, but have been unable to reach a resolution due to their conflicting claims to the region.
This has led to the current state of affairs, with Kashmir divided into two parts and the dispute still unresolved.
Who won the 1971 India Pakistan war?
The India-Pakistan War of 1971 is known officially in India as the Bangladesh Liberation War and in Pakistan as the “Third India-Pakistan War. The war lasted 13 days and came to a close with a decisive Indian victory.
The primary result of the war was the creation of the independent state of Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan, which officially began operations on December 16, 1971.
In addition to the Bangladeshi victory, India also claimed victory in the 1971 conflict. India achieved a decisive victory in the war, suffering far fewer casualties than Pakistan and demonstrating its mettle as a strong military power on the South Asian subcontinent.
India was able to take direct control of nearly 10,000 square miles of Pakistani territory, which was subsequently given to Bangladesh as “war reparations. ” Furthermore, 93,000 Pakistani prisoners of war were released into India’s custody in exchange for the withdrawal of all Indian military personnel from captured Pakistani territories.
The overwhelming victory by India in the 1971 war had the additional salutary effect of strengthening India’s regional diplomacy in South Asia. As a result of India’s success in the war, India subsequently further strengthened its international standing as a regional superpower, exerting growing influence in the Indian subcontinent and beyond.
In short, the India-Pakistan War of 1971 was won decisively by India, leading to the formation of an independent Bangladesh as well as growing Indian military power and regional diplomatic prestige.
What is the old name of Kashmir?
The old name of Kashmir is Jammu and Kashmir. It is a region in South Asia administered by both India and Pakistan, who claim the area in its entirety. The region has a long history, with evidence of human activity dating back to Neolithic times.
In ancient times, it was known by various names, including Kashyapapura and Kasipura. By the 10th century, the region had been renamed Kashmir, a term derived from the Sanskrit for “desiccated land,” and gradually became part of the larger Mughal Empire.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the region became part of the Sikh Empire and was later ceded to the British Raj. Following India’s 1947 independence, the region was divided into two distinct entities: India and Pakistan.
India retains control of around 45% of the region, while Pakistan administers the remaining 55%. Officially, the area is still known as Jammu and Kashmir.