Kashmir II: History Timeline

(A small overview of Kashmir's history - compiled from various sources).

▪ According to tradition, Kashmir was originally inhabited by Hindus.

▪ In 14th Century, A Muslim king replaced the last Hindu King. His family ruled for another 200 years.

▪ 1586 AD, Akbar annexed Kashmir to his vast empire.

▪ In 18th Century (1752-1819), Kashmir became part of Afghanistan under Durrani.

▪ In 1819, Ranjit Singh conquered Kashmir and made it a part of Sikh Empire.

▪ In 1846, British took over Punjab and sold Kashmir to Ghulab Singh. British gave Kashmir a status of Independent princely kingdom. Ghulab Singh conquered Ladakh.

▪ 1931, Hari Singh suppressed a rebellion from Moslems (80% Muslims in the whole Kingdom).

▪ 1932, Sheik Abdullah formed J&K Muslim Conference later called National Conference.

▪ 1947, Partition of India, Hari Singh chose to be Independent. But upon invasion by tribal forces from Pakistan, Hari Singh acceded to India for security and protection. In turn, he was promised a plebiscite when situation comes to normal.

▪ 1947-49, First Indo-Pak war over Kashmir. Cease fire declared which divided that Kingdom in to two sections- one under Pakistan occupation, another under Indian rule. The Cease fire line later became Line of Control (LOC) with some minor alterations.

▪ 1956-57, Jammu & Kashmir became a state of Indian Union. It was a decision taken by the Constituent Assembly of the state.

▪ 1965, Second Indo-Pak war over Kashmir. Tashkent Agreement signed.

▪ 1971, Third Indo-Pak war over Bangladesh civil war. LOC established. Simla Agreement signed.

▪ 1972, India and Pakistan sign Simla Accord – agree to resolve Kashmir through ‘bilateral negotiations’

▪ 1987, A blatant rigging gets National Conference victory in Assembly elections. MUF (Muslim United Front) leaders and supporters arrested.

▪ 1989, Islamic uprising leads to Hindu Pandit migration out of Kashmir valley.

▪ 1990s, militancy on the rise in Kashmir. Hindus are targeted. Army is deployed to suppress militancy.

▪ 1999, Kargil War.

Other Sites: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7]