History of kashmir?
For centuries, Kashmir was part of the Indian kingdoms, ruled by
maharajas, or princess. In 1846 Kashmir became the British Indian
state of Jammu and Kashmir. When predominantly Hindu India won
independence in 1947, British partitioned the western part of India
to create Paskistan as a homeland for South Asia's Muslims. As the
leaders of the existing Indian states decided which country to
join, widespread rioting broke out between Hindus and Muslims. In
the face of the choas, the prince of Jammu and Kashmir sought to
remain autonomous. As a Hindu, his loyalties were with India, but
the majority of the population waes the Muslim. A Muslim uprising,
perhaps supported by Pakistan, sent the prince fleeing to Dehli,
where he signed his state over to India. India then sent troops to
put down the uprising. The Pakistani army responded, and the first
India-Pakistan war began. India claimed a legal and historical
right to Kashmir, but pakistan insisted it would be a better
homeland for the Muslim enclave. Each side also has strategic
needs: India wants Kashmir as a buffer betwwen itself and China,
while Pakistan relies on the river waters flowing from the Kashmir
for irrigation and electricity.