Kashmir Conflict Essay

Understanding the Kashmir Conflict

To better understand the conflict in the Kashmiri region of India and Pakistan it relevant to examine the recent history and independence that both countries gained from British control in 1947. Kashmir is a small oval of land that appears to be land locked in a successive series of the Himalayan mountain ranges, it is noted to be one of the most beautiful places on the earth. Although it appears land locked the valley has over twenty mountain passes, making the area a crossroads for many travelers, refuges and traders throughout history. Given its beauty and merger point for various cultures, it seems this paradise was destined to be a source of conflict between the multiple governments and kings that

When the British, Muslim League, and India agreed to create the Muslim state of Pakistan and India’s independence from Great Britain in 1947 the subcontinent was divided into modern day Pakistan and India. The area of Kashmir and Jammu was not apportioned to either Pakistan or India, which led to the current militarization of the region by both countries with each staking exclusive rights to the land once they were created and gained independence from British rule. The Pakistanis believe the area should be apportioned to them largely because of the Muslim majority that inhabits the area, the Indians on the other hand have long controlled this region throughout its history and consider its rights to the region to be inherent. (Schmidt,

Shaving of women’s heads to make them, unattractive and child marriages to protect family’s lineage before the girls would be of mature age to interest the invading armies are a couple of examples of the cultural changes enacted by the religious class of Hindu. (Smith, 1991) For the Muslims living in Kashmir the level of distrust has persisted because of the lack of governance and services provided to the Kashmir region by the Indian government and its checkered past of human right violations, resulting in the sentiments that they would be better served and governed if Pakistan (Muslim) controlled the region. During times of Muslim rule over the area conversion to Islam was mandated, interestingly though Hinduism and Buddhism persisted in the Kashmir territory in spite of the efforts to convert the population to Islam. (Schofield,