"The
long history of independence was however broken over two hundred and
fifty years ago when in 1752 Afghans established their rule over
Kashmir. "
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Periods of
Independence
Up to 1325: Ruled by 155 Rajas independent and sovereign
1325 to 1585: Muslim Sultans independent and sovereign (1420 to 1470) "Golden period
of Kashmir history"
Periods of Occupation
and Struggle for Freedom
- 1586 to 1752: Mughal Rule
- 1752 to 1819: Tyrannical Afghan Rule
- 1819 to 1846: Colonised by Sikhs
- 16 March 1846: British sold Kashmir to Dogras
- 1846 to 1947: Dogra Rule
- 15 August 1947: Partition of British India Indo-Pak
war to gain control over the territory of Kashmir
- 22 Oct.1947 : Pakistani backed tribal Invasion of
Kashmir
- 24 Oct. 1947: Pakistan occupies one third of Kashmir
- Provisional Govt. of Azad Kashmir proclaimed
- 27 Oct. 1947: Indian military intervention in
Kashmir- two thirds of Kashmir comes under Indian control
- Indo-Pak War: Cease-fire achieved 1 Jan, 1949.
History
Reliable sources trace the history of Kashmir only to the
seventh century, although it is known that in the second century Kashmir was annexed by
Emperor Kanishka and became a part of the Kushan Empire, later a part of China. For a
period of over a thousand years the country despite its exploitation, was independent and
flourishing. The long history of independence was however broken over two hundred and
fifty years ago when in 1752 Afghans established their rule over Kashmir.
The brutally oppressive Afghan occupation was followed in
1819 by the Sikh rule from neighbouring Punjab. In 1846 the Sikhs were defeated by the
British and therefore had to relinquish their hold over Kashmir.
On 16 March, 1846 Kashmir and all the mountainous country
east of the river Indus and west of the river Ravi which had been ceded to the British
government by the Sikhs by the way of indemnity was made over to the Maharaja "Gulab
Singh Dogra and the male heirs of his body" in exchange for three-quarters of a
million pounds sterling paid down, and an annual tribute of one horse, twelve goats and
six pairs of shawls. Between 1846 - 1947 known as the Dogra period, the state of Jammu and
Kashmir including Ladakh, Baltistan and Gilgit were ruled by the Maharajas of the Dogra
dynasty.
Despite local resistance the Dogras ruled Kashmir -as an
independent princely state - till 1947 when events in the Indian subcontinent overtook the
events in Kashmir.
In 1947 the British relinquished their paramountcy over
India, the newly created republics of India and Pakistan both vied for control over
Kashmir. In the military conflict that followed one third (37%) of the Kashmir's territory
was occupied by Pakistan and the rest (63%) was taken over by India.
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