Hari Singhji Quotes


With the conditions obtaining at present in my State and to great emergency of the situation as it exists, I have no option but to ask for help from the Indian Dominion. Naturally they cannot send the help asked for by me without my State acceding to the Domination of India. I have accordingly decided to do so and I attach the Instrument of Accession for; acceptance by your Government. The other alternative is to leave my State and my people to free-booters. On this basis no civilized Government can exist or be maintained. The alternative I will never allow to happen as long as I am Ruler of the State and I have life to defend my country.


Context

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.


Citations

Hari Singhji, Maharaja of Kashmir, Letter to Louis Mountbatten, Viceroy of India, October, 26, 1947

Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations

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