Overview

Jammu and Kashmir – The Forgotten Narrative is a deeply researched and analytically rigorous examination of one of the most complex and protracted disputes in modern international history. At a time when discussions on Kashmir are often shaped by selective narratives, political rhetoric, and strategic interests, this book seeks to recover neglected histories and foreground Kashmiri perspectives that have long remained marginal in global discourse. The first part of the book revisits the origins of the Kashmir conflict, with particular emphasis on the events of 1947. Drawing extensively on archival records, official correspondence, contemporary reports, and historical documentation, it critically examines the circumstances surrounding the Jammu massacre, the Poonch and Mirpur resistance movements, and the deeply contested Instrument of Accession. By interrogating these foundational moments, the book challenges simplified and state-centric accounts, exposing how historical complexities were obscured in the construction of dominant narratives. Moving beyond historical reconstruction, the book situates Kashmir within broader debates on international law, decolonisation, and self-determination. It explores how legal ambiguities, geopolitical rivalries, and post-colonial power structures shaped both the dispute itself and the international response to it. In doing so, it highlights the disjunction between diplomatic discourse and realities on the ground. The second part of the book turns to the present, offering a comparative and empirical assessment of freedom across Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. Based on fieldwork and interviews with Kashmiri refugees and residents, it examines political participation, civil liberties, freedom of movement, religious practice, communication, and everyday social life. Rather than treating freedom as an abstract concept, the book evaluates it through lived experience, drawing attention to disparities that are rarely acknowledged in mainstream discussions. Combining scholarly depth with clarity and accessibility, Jammu and Kashmir – The Forgotten Narrative bridges the gap between academic research and policy relevance. It speaks to historians, political scientists, legal scholars, diplomats, human rights practitioners, and students of South Asian studies, while remaining accessible to informed general readers seeking a nuanced understanding of Kashmir. By placing Kashmiri voices at the centre of analysis and confronting uncomfortable historical truths, this book offers an essential corrective to distorted narratives. It stands as both a historical reappraisal and a contemporary critique, contributing meaningfully to ongoing debates on human rights, sovereignty, and the unresolved question of Kashmir.

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9781836153887

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Victoria Schofield is a British historian and one of the most respected scholars on the history and politics of Kashmir and South Asia. Her work has played a significant role in shaping academic and policy-oriented understanding of the Kashmir conflict. She is the author of several influential books examining the region's historical evolution, political dynamics, and international dimensions, and her research is widely cited in scholarly and policy literature. In addition to her published scholarship, she has lectured extensively and engaged with academic, diplomatic, and policy audiences on issues relating to South Asia, conflict, and self-determination. Her work is noted for its rigorous use of historical sources and balanced analytical approach

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Saud Sultan completed his MPhil in Modern South Asian Studies at the University of Cambridge, where his research focused on the Kashmir issue. He has written extensively on the subject, including articles for newspapers, the London School of Economics and an academic journal published by Taylor & Francis (Routledge). Saud’s interest in Jammu and Kashmir is also shaped by his family’s long-standing involvement in the political life of Azad Jammu and Kashmir—his father has served both as the Prime Minister (1996 to 2001) and President (2021 to 2026) of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and his grandfather played a pivotal role during the region’s formative years. Saud combines academic rigour with a deeply personal, nuanced understanding of the region’s complexities.

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