A TALE OF PARADISE LOST

Kashmir which has been bone of contention between India and Pakistan for over 55 years now is economically important with itأ¢â‚¬â„¢s gold, emerald, ruby mines and of course water. Since it lies high up in the mountains, its strategic locale can be used to dominate the surrounding areas. Kashmir lies at the edge of Indo-Pak border and at the heart of both countries consciousness. Itأ¢â‚¬â„¢s not just the borders that are the issue; Kashmir also guards the frontiers of ideology. Muslims cannot afford to beat its Kashmir. According to Hindu mythology recorded in the أ¢â‚¬إ“ Nilamat Puranaأ¢â‚¬?, the valley was in the form of lake hundred of feet deep. In it lived a demon Jalodbhav (One born in Water), that used to guard the valley. The Sage Kashyapa, father of the Nagas, learnt about the barbarous cruelty of his progeny while on a pilgrimage to the Himalayas. Kashyapa appealed to Brahma and to other gods, therefore gods took position on the mountain peaks surrounding Sati Saras. But the demon had the advantage of water. The Lord Vishnu called his brother Balabhadra to end the standoff. He took his ploughshare and pierced the closed rings of mountains at Baramulla. The water drained from the valley and Vishnu killed the demon. Gods liked the valley so much that they refused to leave and settled in Kashmir taking the shapes of rivers and fertile land. Geography played a significant role in the preservation of Kashmirأ¢â‚¬â„¢s identity. Many conquerors came to conquer, but only few were able to stay. Mahmud of Ghazni arrived twice in 1015 and in 1021. The dangerous Changez Khan tried to enter the valley in 1203 but failed. Mongol Tyrant, Dulacha in 1320 chose the right season. Even seized Srinagar but as soon as the winter arrived its entire army was killed near Banihal. After the attempt of Ghazni, Syed Bilal Shah brought Islam to the region three hundred years later. Zain ul Abidin, an inspired ruler of the 15th century made way for the people to embrace Islam. Zain ul Abidin became Bud Shah: The great King, a man who ruled the valley not by force but by his kind words. From 1480-1530, there were many rulers in Kashmir. Muhammad Shah became Sultan four times in his life (1489, 1497, 1499 and in 1526). He was seven when he was on the throne, to prevent the designated successor, Fateh Khan grand son of Bud Shah. After the death of Mughal emperor Babar, his son Humayun sent expedition to Kashmir in October 1531 but returned back to Lahore because of harsh winter. On 17 may 1540 Sher Shah Suri routed Humayun at Kanuj. Humayun was exiled. Mirza Haider showed loyalty and suggested Humayun make Kashmir his operating base for the recovery of his empire. He marched along Pir Pangal route, up to Naoshera 122 miles south west of Srinagar. He reached Srinagar in October 1540, but established his own control and placed Nazuk Shah on the throne. He ran the administration for eleven years. On 16th October 1586, Qasim Shah, commander of the Moghul troops entered Srinagar and proclaimed Akbar emperor. Fights continued for the beautiful valley that killed thousands for the years to come. In 18th century Moghul Empire had weakened. Ahmad Shah Duranni, ruler of Afghanistan took advantage and attacked Kashmir. The 50 years rule of Afghan saw regular clashes between Sunni and Shia. East India Company also tried to establish itself in the Indian Sub Continent. The first Anglo-Sikh war in 1846 resulted in the victory of the Company. It acquired Kashmir as a part of Treaty of Amritsar, but sold it for 75 lakh rupees to Dogra ruler. 78% of the population of Kashmir comprised of Muslims. At the time of partition Kashmir was given the right to join Pakistan or India. Inspite of the large Muslim population Maharaja Hari Singh, Hindu ruler at that time was reluctant to join either India or Pakistan. But due to the pressure of Lord Mount Batten, Maharaja was forced to join India or Pakistan before 15th August 1947. The population of Poonch pressed Maharaja to accede to Pakistan. In October 1947 Pathan Tribesmen invaded the valley, defeating Maharajaأ¢â‚¬â„¢s troops. Preceding the attack Maharaja fled to Jammu and appealed to India to send troops. India agreed on the condition that Kashmir would accede to India. Therefore Maharaja acceded to India on 26th October 1947. On 27th October 1947 India began to airlift troops launching a full-scale attack on tribesmen. In January 1948, India took the dispute to Security Council, accusing Pakistan of aggression. While issue was still on table, India launched a full-scale attack and drove the tribesmen out of the valley. Pakistan immediately sends itأ¢â‚¬â„¢s troops and war with India was started. On 13th August 1948 Security Council urged India and Pakistan to withdraw forces. Both governments accepted the resolution. In January 1949 resolution began to be implemented. In July 1949, the cease-fire line was demarcated. The cease-fire has remained in existence since 1947 but dispute remains unsolved. On 27th December 1963 from Hazratbal, Moe Maqaddas, a strand hair from the beard of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was stolen. It was brought by a traveler Syed Abdullah in 1635, claiming to be a direct descendent of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), through his grandson Hazrat Imam Hussain. The event resulted in clashes, strikes and killings in the valley. Pakistan and India also fought two major wars of 1965 and 1971, whose main issue was considered to be Kashmir. The wars resulted in the death of millions of people, fall of East Pakistan, 90,000 Pakistani soldiers were made POWs. Besides of loss billions to the economy. Both countries has also fought for Siachen Glacier, the highest military point in the world 5753m above the sea level, where temperature can fall as low as أ¢â‚¬â€œ40 degree centigrade. Since 1984, India and Pakistan have lost 10,000 lives at the expense of $ 10 million a day at Kargil. During the Kargil war in the late 1990s death toll was 1300 for India and 1750 for Pakistan (Officially). On December 6, 1992 hostile Hindu activists destroyed Babri Masjid, one of the largest Mosques in Uttar Pradesh, built by Mughal Emperor Babur in 1526. According to Hindus Baburأ¢â‚¬â„¢s commander in chief Mir Baki destroyed an existence temple at the site. Since then thousands of people have been killed in Mosque dispute. On 11th October 2005 a massive earthquake struck Kashmir killing more than 80,000 people besides injuring thousands others. The famous Balakot was flattened. Famous Turkish Writer Harun Yahya sums up the Kashmir chapter in his famous book The Winter of Islam and Its Spring to Come as, أ¢â‚¬إ“The population of Kashmir is overwhelmingly Muslim. Its fight for freedom and the rightful support lent by Pakistan were undermined by the unjust policies of some Western circles.----- In conclusion, the Muslims of Kashmir have not only had to defend themselves against India, or rather radical Hindu organizations, but have also had to wage an ideological war against these lobbies that support such groups behind the scenes.أ¢â‚¬?