HISTORY OF KASHMIR

TIMELINE

1947 (15 October)

British India is partioned, India and Pakistan gain independence from Great Britain. Maharaja Hari Singh, the ruler of the ‘princely state’ of Kashmir delays his decision to accede to Pakistan or India therefore remains independent.

1948 (5 February)

United Nations (UN) call for a plebiscite.

A plebiscite is a vote where the people of a country, state or district decide. To contextulise, the people of the independent state of Kashmir which is a Muslim majority ‘princely state’ will vote to decide whether to accede to India, Pakistan or remain independent. The plebiscite is called for but is not implemented at this stage.

1949 (1 January)

Pakistan and India agree to a plebiscite.

A plebiscite is a vote where the people of a country, state or district decide. To contextulise, the people of the independent state of Kashmir which is a Muslim majority ‘princely state’ will vote to decide whether to accede to India, Pakistan or remain independent. The plebiscite although agreed by India and Pakistan is not implemented at this stage.