Kashmir: Triumphs & Tragedies

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Seeking to present fresh perspectives on a variety of facets of Kashmir, known or unknown, this book sheds some light not only on the Kashmiri accomplishments but also on a bewildering array of hardships, despairs, failures and indescribable woes that have besieged the Kashmiris since the beginning of the occupation of their land by the forces wholly poles apart culturally, historically and geographically. It attempts to show how their awful agonies emanate essentially from the very concept of deeply flawed partition and a fabricated Instrument of Accession - a political scandal history has seldom witnessed-second in the course of a century; first being that of Treaty of Amritsar 1846 when Kashmir was "sold" to Gulab Singh by a very disparate, unconnected people with irreconcilable racial, linguistic, religious and civilizational differences.
The Kashmiri aspirations are the by-product of this outrageous act. Occupying the Valley in gross violation of the terms of Partition Agreement and without ascertaining the wishes of the people; perpetuating injustices and human rights violations to keep alive hegemonic control; exploiting brutally Kashmir's water resources; disconcerting constantly public dissent through the most dreadful route of State Terrorism are some glaring trends to accelerate the Kashmiri urge for change.
Though this desire for change has expanded and perfected itself over the years, it needs to be articulated circumspectly and meticulously to be able to realize the cherished dream of Neow Kasheer-a conflict and bigotry-free Kashmir. A suitable and passable knowledge of Kashmir affairs can prove a wonderful antidote to the negativity and ever increasing ratio of mistakes that have crept into our system to overshadow the socio-political firmament of Kashmir to the disadvantage of Kashmiri yearning. The aim of the present volume is to expose certain gross distortions that have been made current for propping up in the Valley an environment of political radicalism, colonial subordination, and cultural subjectivity; a milieu that has proved very effective and powerful enough to distract the public attention from the real issues the Kashmiris are beset with.

Dr. Abdul Ahad is an acclaimed writer and historian whose publications: Kashmir to Frankfurt: A Study of Arts & Crafts; Kashmir Rediscovered: Vicissitudes of Kashmir's Historical Individuality & Assertion of Kashmiri Personality have been well received by scholarly community. His dexterity in delineating eventful from a mass of events and his inimitable, lucid style of writing in razor sharp prose are recognized far and wide. He has created a niche as a columnist, historian, social scientist and author of standing. His papers and articles appear in national and international journals.
Dr. Ahad has held important positions in the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. As Director Archives, Archaeology and Museums he unearthed from Hutmara, Anantnag 3rd century B.C terracotta tiles which throw flood of light on Liddar Valley Civilization of Kashmir. He also discovered huge, precious buried treasure from Maidan-e-Chogul, Hundwara that helps us to appreciate the dynamics of socio-economic system obtaining in early Kashmir. During his tenure at the State Civil Secretariat he authored Level Jumping Justified; and Transparency in Administration which have proved immeasurably helpful not only to young aspirants to Civil Services (IAS & KAS) but also to skilled and seasoned administrators.