History of Kashmir

I am deeply fond of Kashmir its people and rich heritage and the fact that its India's crown ! Last few decades events really saddened me and I pray to God that let sanity return and peace be established on permanent basis. I came accross compilation of some historical facts about the evolution of Kashmir which I am sharing in bullet form for easy reference. I would be happy if people can add to these facts which proves organic linkage relation with India :- Historical Facts of Jammu and Kashmir State Bharatvarsh ! App. 3000 B.C.: Kashmir clan is named in Mahabharata. 2629-2564 B.C.: Rule by King Sandiman. 2082-2041 B.C.: Rule by King Sunder Sen rules Kashmir. 1048-1008 B.C.: King Nara rules Kashmir. 250 B.C.: Shrinagari (today's Srinagar is located about three miles from Shrinagari) near the ancient capital Pandhrenatha is founded by Ashoka the Great. 7th century: King Lalitaditya builds the famous Sun temple and formed the city of Pharihaspura. 813-850: Pampore was founded by Padma, during the rule of King Ajatapida 855-883: King Avantivarman builds the town of Avantipur and the famous Sun temple. 883-902: King Shankaravarman builds Shankarapura-pattan (now known as Pattan). 1128-1149: Reign of King Jayasim. mid-12th: Muslim invasion of Kashmir. 1322 Turks, under ferocious Zulkadur Khan, first invade Kashmir. 1394-1416: Central Asian ruler, Sikander invades Kashmir and brings about mass conversion to Islam. After the tyranny of Sikander was over, only eleven Kashmiri Hindu families survive. 1540: Mirz Haidar, a relative of Humayun (of the Moghul invader dynasty) conquers Kashmir. Kashmir gradually absorbed into Moghul Empire. 1810-1820: Maharajah Ranjit Singh, one of the greatest rulers of India, regains Jammu and appointed his Dogra feudatory Gulab Singh to rule the State. Mar 16, 1846: The present State is created by a treaty between the British East India Company acting on behalf of the British Government and Maharajah Gulab Singh in Amritsar. 1931: One of the worst communal riots led by Sheikh Abdullah and his Muslim Conference. 1939: Muslim Conference becomes the National Conference. Aug 15, 1947: India gains independence. The ruler of Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh yet to make up his mind regarding accession. Oct 22, 1947: Pakistan violates the Standstill Agreement by preventing essential supplies to the State, then hoards of armed Pakistani tribesman entered Kashmir. Oct 26, 1947: Hari Singh signs the instrument of accession, it is no different than the one signed by over 500 other rulers. The accession of Kashmir was accepted by the Governor General of India Lord Mountbatten. Oct 27, 1947: The first Indian forces arrived in Kashmir to defend against Pakistani troops. Dec 31, 1947: A highly unconstitutional offer of plebiscite was made by Prime Minister Nehru in the U.N. Jan 1, 1948: India under Nehru declares a unilateral cease-fire and under Article 35 of the U.N. Charter, India files a complaint with the U.N. Security Council. Pakistan still controls 2/5 of the State. Jan 20, 1948: The U.N. Security Council in its resolution of establishes the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP). Jul 1948: Mohd. Zafrulla Khan, then the Foreign Minister of Pakistan and principal Delegate of Pakistan in the U.N. admits to the U.N. Commission for India and Pakistan that the Pakistani Army had been in Kashmir. Aug 13, 1948: UNCIP adopts a resolution on Kashmir accepted by both India and Pakistan. Pakistan is blamed for the invasion of Kashmir and is instructed to withdraw its forces from Kashmir. Jan 1, 1949: Amidst great tension, one minute before midnight, India and Pakistan concluded a formal cease fire agreement. Jan 5, 1949: Almost a year after Nehru's offer of plebiscite, the UNCIP passes a resolution that states that, "The question of accession of the state of Jammu and Kashmir to India or Pakistan will be decided through the democratic method of free and impartial plebiscite". However, Pakistan has yet to comply with the earlier resolution and withdraw from the State. Also, Pakistan is now busy changing the demographic composition of the State. 1949: Not withstanding the opposition by several authors of the Indian Constitution, including Dr. Ambedkar, its chief architect, Article 370 was inserted in the constitution of India. This article is meant as a temporary measure, to be in effect until the formal constitution of Jammu and Kashmir is drafted. Jun 1948: Sheikh Abdullah declares, "We the people of Jammu and Kashmir, have thrown our lot with Indian people not in the heat of passion or a moment of despair, but by a deliberate choice. The union of our people has been fused by the community of ideals and common sufferings in the cause of freedom". 1949: Following the cabinet decision taken by the Abdullah Government, Hari Singh steps down. Hari Singh's son, Karan Singh is named his successor. Apr 1950 UN Security Council appoints Sir Owen Dixon as the UN representative in place of UNCIP to find expeditious and enduring solution to the India-Pakistan dispute over Kashmir. Oct 1950: General Council of the National Conference demands elections to create a Constituent Assembly. Sep 1951: Elections for the Constituent Assembly are held The National Conference wins all 45 seats unopposed. Oct 1951: Constituent Assembly of the State of Jammu and Kashmir is inaugurated. Nov 5, 1951: The Constituent Assembly is given four tasks by Sheikh Abdullah which including the accession to India. Nov-Dec 1951: Karan Singh steps down as the ruler, and is elected by the Constituent Assembly of the Jammu and Kashmir State as Sardar- i-Riyasat (Governor). 1952: Jana Sangh begins campaign called "Ek Vidhan Ek Pradhan" (One Constitution, one leader) and demands that the State of Jammu and Kashmir be totally integrated into India and that the people from the other States be able to visit Jammu and Kashmir without a passport. 1952: Jana Sang leader Shyamaprasad Mukherjee dies in a Kashmiri Jail under mysterious circumstances. Aug 9, 1953: Sheikh Abdullah is arrested. He had turned corrupt and autocrat. He tried to hold India for ransom by giving increasingly anti-India speeches and preserve his power. Feb 1954: Under the leadership of Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED Constituent Assembly of the State of Jammu and Kashmir ratified the State's accession to India. May 14, 1954: The President of India promulgates the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order placing on a final footing the applicability of the other provisions of the Indian Constitution to Jammu and Kashmir. 1956: Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act 1956, the category of Part B State was aboilished and Jammu and Kashmir was included as one of the States of India under Article I. However, Article 370 of the Indian constitution is still retained. Jan 26, 1957: After the formal inauguration of its constitution, the Constituent Assembly dissolves itself. 1958: All-India services extended to J and K through an amendment in Article 312. 1964: Sheikh Abdullah released from the prison. 1965: Pakistan attacks India, in operation code named, Gibraltar. The defeat of Pakistan results in the Tashkent Agreement between the two countries. Mar 30, 1965: Article 249 of Indian Constitution extended to Jammu and Kashmir whereby the center could legislate on any matter enumerated in state list (just like in any other State in the Union). Designations like Prime Minister and President of the State are replace by Chief Minister and Governor. 1971: Pakistani attack on India results in the third war between the two countries. Pakistan is completely defeated, over 90,000 of its men surrendered. 1972: India and Pakistan sign the Shimla Pact. Two agree to respect the line of control until the issue is finally resolved. Feb 24-25, 1975: Following an accord signed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Sheikh Abdullah on February 24, 1975, Jammu and Kashmir is made a "Constituent Unit" of India on February 25, 1975. Through this accord Indian Parliament reaffirms its right to legislate on any matter concerning the territory of the State. 1977: National Conference wins the first post-Emergency elctions. 1982: Sheikh Abdullah nominates his son, Farooq Abdullah as his successor setting up a political rivalry between Farooq Abdullah and his brother-in-law G. M. Shah. 1986: In one of the most shameful acts of religious massacre, several ancient historical Hindu temples are destroyed and scores of Hindus were killed in the city of Anantnag. Chief Minister G. M. Shah looses power to his brother-in-law Farooq Abdullah. 1990-1991: In a spate of terrorist violence, 2400 people have died so far, and 300,000 people have been driven out of their homes. Pakistan's involvement in this carnage of violence is beyond doubt. Cycle of violence is direct result of this which also led to many innocent killed in cross fire.

A year of hope !

2012 contrary to Mayan belief is going to be a year of hope for all of us !

Globally last 2-3 years have been quite challenging to people at all levels economically, materially and spiritually. It has been no better for me as well.

Like every year I too have resolved something with a hope I will live up to it, though I would not like to disclose my new year resolution(s). In fact with every progress, and situations I do learn about the outcome of experience-some good some bad and some ugly and list of resolves keeps growing exponentially only to find at the end of year though I keep proposing but god keep disposing with alarming regularity.

Still the beauty of life, the tranquillity of natural expanse and the realm of thought keeps enriching life's journey.

The curiosity of a child, the wisdom of age , the enthusiasm of youth, the realities of life and times keep provoking me to breach the barrier to up the benchmark, to rise to new level of consciousness.

Osama , Pakistan, terrorism - A connection

I really wonder that if US had been too strict with Pakistan and put enormous pressure on Pakistan ISI /Army to dismantle terror nursuries/seminaries then a lot of American taxpayer money and precious American soldiers life would have been saved, I really do not know why US govt handles Pakistan so softly and gives billions of dollars aid which indirectly funds terror structure which ultimately results in American taxpayers loss of lives across the world. Mere getting Osama is not enough we need to destroy all terror nursuries/seminaries shut for ever. After Osama's killing in Pakistan Army's cantonment area do US still requires proof to come hard on Pakistan ? Come on, whom are we fooling but ourselves. Even a beat constable will be worried if he finds such suspicious building with suspicious/unuasual activities taking place try to peek inside out of sheer curiosity and report the matter to his superiors !!!

A day to remember for all contradictory reasons

Woke up to the news of Satya Sai Baba's demise. He has been struggking with his health for last one month or so. Quite a charismatic man I am told and he really touched lives of millions. May god rest his soul in peace.

Today is also a day when Christ resurrected from crucification and a joyous moment for entire world. Happy Easter to all of you !!

Last but not least , God of Cricket, sachin's 38th Birthday ! Many happy returns to the living legend.

How to find peace ?

We all tend to seek peace around ourselves ! Peace at home, peace at workplace, peace with friends, family with neighbours and yet we find so often the elusive peace nowhere to be found !

We must seek and capture peace which lies within.

If self is calm and composed the world around you gradually comes to your terms as you now know that how difficult is you to trigger changes within so changing others is futile if we forcefully silence them or seek to run away from them ! 

Engage, enjoy, enchant and uravel the elements of peace within you and those around you will quickly bask in the self happiness unleashed !

Try it, it's within your reach !!!

Happy New year !

One more year saw us bye,
One more year will see us by !
One more thought got wasted-
One new thought will apply.

Life has been blessed-
curious,contemptible & obsessed,
feelings trapped, sometimes unleashed
Stories untold, images manifold,
Looking deep into self
wondering and wandering
the ever changing landscape !

Racing life, bracing challenges
tracing path hiterto untrodden
forward I move vision broaden.
One path opens many vistas
which one to go which one to leave
Is'nt all path
lead to same destination ?

point of view, colours and hue
present the vision bold and new.
savour every moment dull and dynamic
gives a meaning to non descript brew-
life ,times, people , occasion !

Every year that passed by,
etched its memories bad and good !
solace hunt and get hunted,
peace within, peace without
life will go on and so will the journey,
sometime sunshine, sometimes rainy -
full of surprises,sound a many !


Sanjay

New awakening in Bihar !

Migrant biharis have been discussing poll scenario throughout globe past many weeks with a sense of expectation that government capable of taking us forward should reoccupy the seat of power. A lot of people were vary of shenanigans of previous regime to stage a comeback. But, what a result ! All biharis across caste and creed seeems to be loving it as never before !

I came to Patna on 25th Nov after a day of historic victory of forces of development and I can see how relieved and happy people were right from rich to poor. The expectation that it will trigger a better future of all Biharis stands out as most remarkable feature which is both a challenge and warning to the powers that be. I think new NDA government is already having a job cut out for them. They got to capitalise on the gains of last 5 years otherwise we Biharis will be very severe with thwm. We missed mini development revoution which started in nineties and this time we cannot let it go. Lets understand , this is not the work or achievementof a single person but a combined push of all Biharis to install the NDA government in 2005 and then give a repeat mandate for next 5 years to perform or perish.

It has been a personal trip for me to see my parent who are having multiple health problems but am to infected by the enthusiasm of All biharis. I can see that the plight of poor has definitely improved if I compare what I saw 5-10 years back. I can see happiness,glint and confidence in their eyes and that is first sign of proof that Nitish Government has really moved the ground it still has to make it habitable though. Hope the government will deliver on its promises of more power & electricity, more industries and more foreign direct investments.

I have been in textile industries for last 22 years with some seminal technologiocal core expertise and I can say that government should push for development of textile industries in Bihar. If suitable incentives are provided to this sector I see a lot of established players in India will set up shop floor set up in Bihar.

I exhort all Biharis that one more putsch and we are through so do not let this opportunity go and put huge pressure on their respective representative to keep the good work continue with renewed vigour and determination. This is a historic win over forces of regression and division and first time all biharis have risen in one voice and said no to castism and yes to universalism and inclusivism !

Jai Bihar, Jai Bharat !