From Partition To Abrogation: Tracing the History of Article 370

Abstract

Kashmir isn’t “just another city” or just another place that exists on earth. It is a place described by the famous poet Amir Khusrau in the following words, “Gar Firdaus Bar Ruhe Zamin ast, Hamin asto, Hamin asto, Hamin ast….” Which when translated, means, “if there is Paradise on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here…..” The place was once compared to the paradise .The region had been choice of many British officials for their holidays in the British raj period and it remained a frequent location for film shootings by many directors in the 80s and 90s. However, apart from being a great tourist attraction with amazing scenic valley, it also holds a long and painful history of political instability during the latter half of 20th century. The troubles began for Kashmir since the partition of India was proposed and it took a long line of governments and thousands of lives in pursue of the solution to its troubles. This article is an analysis to understand and highlight all the turbulence that valley of Kashmir went through from partition to present day. We will see phase to phase developments that took place in Kashmir from the time of partition to formation of Article 370 and its abrogation along with its impact on the nation in general and the state in particular.