Description
In 1846, the British created the state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) - popularly called 'Kashmir' - and then quickly sold this prized region to the wily and powerful Raja, Gulab Singh. Intriguingly, had they retained it, the India-Pakistan dispute over possession of the state may never have arisen, but Britain's concerns lay elsewhere - - expansionist Russia, beguiling Tibet and unstable China 'circling' J&K - - and their agents played the 'Great Game' in Afghanistan and 'Turkistan'. Snedden contextualises the geo-strategic and historical circumstances surrounding the British decision to relinquish prestigious 'Kashmir', and explains how they and four Dogra maharajas consolidated and controlled J&K subsequently. He details what comprised this diverse princely state with distant borders and disunified peoples and explains the Maharaja of J&K's controversial accession to India on 26 October 1947 - and its unintended consequences. Snedden weaves a compelling narrative that frames the Kashmir dispute, explains why it continues, and assesses what it means politically and administratively for the divided peoples of J&K and their undecided futures
About the Author
Christopher Snedden is an Australian politico-strategic analyst who has visited J&K often and interviewed many elder statesmen involved in the Kashmir dispute. He is author of The Untold Story of the People of Azad Kashmir.
Reviews
'A major contribution . . . [the] most authoritative modern history of Jammu and Kashmir.'
'In his readable explanation of the complexities of Kashmir, Christopher Snedden works on a large canvas while managing to include much well-researched detail. The result is a vivid masterpiece of impartial analysis. This is the best book about Kashmir. Snedden understands Kashmir, and so will his readers.' * Brian Cloughley, former deputy chief of the UN military mission in Kashmir, and author of 'A History of the Pakistan Army' *
'Snedden's authoritative and highly readable book is the first to supply a comprehensive narrative of the Kashmir dispute for a generalist audience. Deftly handling the dispute's complex political and geo-strategic dimensions, he wisely goes beyond them to examine both Kashmir's lengthy history and the oft-neglected Kashmiris themselves. This is a unique treatment of one of the world's most intractable disputes.' * Robert G. Wirsing, Professor at Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar, and author of India, Pakistan, and the Kashmir Dispute *
'Christopher Snedden has written a magisterial political history of Kashmir--authoritative, even-handed and hugely well informed. He has also made use of his expertise in and concern for Kashmir to point towards a possible solution to this long-running conflict, one which many Kashmiris will warmly endorse.' * Andrew Whitehead, former BBC India correspondent and author of A Mission in Kashmir *
'This is an excellent narrative account of Kashmiri identity and the conflict between India and Pakistan over the former Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir. It provides a balanced understanding of a subject which continues to evoke conflict and polemical scholarship in South Asia.' * Ian Talbot, Professor of History, University of Southampton and author of The Partition of India *
Book Information
ISBN 9781849043427
Author Christopher Snedden
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd
Publisher C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd
Weight(grams) 522g
Dimensions(mm) 216mm * 138mm * 25mm
About the Author
Christopher Snedden is an Australian politico-strategic analyst who has visited J&K often and interviewed many elder statesmen involved in the Kashmir dispute. He is author of The Untold Story of the People of Azad Kashmir.
Reviews
'A major contribution . . . [the] most authoritative modern history of Jammu and Kashmir.'
'In his readable explanation of the complexities of Kashmir, Christopher Snedden works on a large canvas while managing to include much well-researched detail. The result is a vivid masterpiece of impartial analysis. This is the best book about Kashmir. Snedden understands Kashmir, and so will his readers.' * Brian Cloughley, former deputy chief of the UN military mission in Kashmir, and author of 'A History of the Pakistan Army' *
'Snedden's authoritative and highly readable book is the first to supply a comprehensive narrative of the Kashmir dispute for a generalist audience. Deftly handling the dispute's complex political and geo-strategic dimensions, he wisely goes beyond them to examine both Kashmir's lengthy history and the oft-neglected Kashmiris themselves. This is a unique treatment of one of the world's most intractable disputes.' * Robert G. Wirsing, Professor at Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar, and author of India, Pakistan, and the Kashmir Dispute *
'Christopher Snedden has written a magisterial political history of Kashmir--authoritative, even-handed and hugely well informed. He has also made use of his expertise in and concern for Kashmir to point towards a possible solution to this long-running conflict, one which many Kashmiris will warmly endorse.' * Andrew Whitehead, former BBC India correspondent and author of A Mission in Kashmir *
'This is an excellent narrative account of Kashmiri identity and the conflict between India and Pakistan over the former Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir. It provides a balanced understanding of a subject which continues to evoke conflict and polemical scholarship in South Asia.' * Ian Talbot, Professor of History, University of Southampton and author of The Partition of India *
Book Information
ISBN 9781849043427
Author Christopher Snedden
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd
Publisher C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd
Weight(grams) 522g
Dimensions(mm) 216mm * 138mm * 25mm
