HARI SINGHJI
India and Pakistan had separated and each wanted Kashmir to affiliate with them. Caught between the two countries, with a both Hindu and Muslim population, Kashmir tried to steer a neutral course and remain independent. Muslim irregular troops in small bands infiltrated into Kashmir started a campaign of terror—rape, pillaging, burning and looting. Kashmir was falling apart under the pressure. To survive, the Kashmiri Maharaja asked for help from India with accession being the price. India beat back the Muslim terrorists and, India and Pakistan have been fighting against each other over Kashmir ever since. See {618270} for the response which dictated the history of Kashmir for the next 60 years.
He, and ,any others tried, but the Muslim’s insisted on their own Islamic state. All of India was partitioned creating Pakistan and Bangladesh as tens of millions of people were killed in religious strife. Kashmir was to make it’s own decision. Pakistan and India have been at odds over Kashmir.
The Maharajas wanted to hold on to much of their power which second only to the Colonial British Government was extensive on most Indian States. In the final analysis, the Maharajas lost all their governmental functions and privileges but were able to retain much of their wealth.
