The Kashmir conflict is an ongoing territorial dispute between India and Pakistan.
According to Pakistan’s 2010 statement to the UN, it’s the oldest unresolved international
conflict still on the UN’s agenda.
The conflict is often attributed directly to the region’s backlash against British
colonialism.
But is that the whole story?
What is the Kashmir conflict really about?
Well first of all, when we say Kashmir, we mean the region that is currently occupied
by both Pakistan and India.
Historically, the region has been home to a number of Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs
and other cultures, which have been in conflict for hundreds of years.
In 1846, Kashmir was claimed by the former British Empire as a princely state in their
Indian Empire.
The population was predominantly Muslim, but the ruler, set up by the British, was Hindu.
This difference in religions caused conflict in Kashmir, especially after World War 2.
In 1947, Britain gave its Indian colonies independence, and states around Kashmir joined
either Pakistan or India.
Because of the Muslim majority in Kashmir, most wanted to join the predominantly Muslim
Pakistan.
However, Kashmir’s Hindu ruler wished the state to remain neutral.
Not long after independence, Pakistan invaded Kashmir.
This caused Hari Singh (Harry Sing), Kashmir’s ruler, to ask India for military help.
He signed the “Instrument of Accession”, which made Kashmir officially a part of India,
with some autonomous privileges.
From there, India sent in military forces to combat Pakistani fighters, culminating
in the first Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, also known as the first Kashmir war.
In 1965 and 1971, two more Indo-Pakistani wars broke out with thousands killed.
Although territory was originally a key reason for fighting, human rights abuses on both
sides became a larger reason for hostilities between both nations.
You can hear more about “Why India and Pakistan Hate Each Other” in Tara’s video.
After several ceasefire agreements, the political boundaries of Pakistan and India are still
considered “disputed”, but both nations control about one half of Kashmir.
The whole Indian subcontinent is teeming with unique peoples and culture.
Check out this amazing story of a small village south of New Delhi that has such a long history
of defending itself, it’s become legendary.
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