Kashir
A little background on Kashmir:: the name itself is derived from Sanskrit, meaning 'desiccated land' (Ka= water, shimeera= desiccate). As per Hindu mythology, the name derives from the sage Kashyapa, who drained the land by cutting the hills at the city of Baramulla. Kashmir was a center of great learning and commerce, with many trade routes crossing through it. Its capital, Srinagar, is thought to have been found by Asoka.
Islam first came to Kashmir in the 14th century, and Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists alike lived in harmony. For the centuries following, it was ruled by first the Shah Miri dynasty, and successively by the Durrani and Mughal empires, to finally come under the control of Sikh armies in the 19th century.
It was under them that the Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir was formed, culminating under the leadership of Hari Singh in the early 20th century. With India gaining it's independence in 1947, Kashmir also gave forth its agenda for freedom. Singh hesitated in his decision as to whether Kashmir should be free, or join either Pakistan or India. In the end, he signed an Instrument of Accession to India, where it was decided that Kashmir would only be accepted into the Union of India after a reference had been made to its people. A plebiscite was also drawn up by the UN (United Nations Security Council Resolution 47) in which the Kashmiri people had the right to decide what their fate would be. Ultimately, this plebiscite never took place, and India and Pakistan fought three wars over the nation. In the 1980s, Kashmir became overrun with militancy, and the country was once again thrown into turmoil, from which it still struggles to surface from.
Islam first came to Kashmir in the 14th century, and Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists alike lived in harmony. For the centuries following, it was ruled by first the Shah Miri dynasty, and successively by the Durrani and Mughal empires, to finally come under the control of Sikh armies in the 19th century.
It was under them that the Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir was formed, culminating under the leadership of Hari Singh in the early 20th century. With India gaining it's independence in 1947, Kashmir also gave forth its agenda for freedom. Singh hesitated in his decision as to whether Kashmir should be free, or join either Pakistan or India. In the end, he signed an Instrument of Accession to India, where it was decided that Kashmir would only be accepted into the Union of India after a reference had been made to its people. A plebiscite was also drawn up by the UN (United Nations Security Council Resolution 47) in which the Kashmiri people had the right to decide what their fate would be. Ultimately, this plebiscite never took place, and India and Pakistan fought three wars over the nation. In the 1980s, Kashmir became overrun with militancy, and the country was once again thrown into turmoil, from which it still struggles to surface from.
Political Heads:
Some of the heads of various political organizations of Kashmir since India's independence in 1947: (under construction)
(Note: The names are listed as per birth year)
Some of the heads of various political organizations of Kashmir since India's independence in 1947: (under construction)
(Note: The names are listed as per birth year)
Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah
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(1905-1982) also known as 'Sher-e-Kashmir' (Lion of Kashmir), was the leader of the National Conference (originally Muslim Conference) political party and is considered one of the most important figures in the modern history of Kashmir. He led a 'Quit Kashmir' movement against the then Maharaja Hari Singh, and became Kashmir's Prime Minister in 1948, a position which was later renamed as Chief Minister according to the 1965 change to the state constitution. He held this office until 1953, and then served as Chief Minister from 1975-77 after which there was a period of President's rule for a few months. He was then re-elected and served until his death in 1982.
Syed Ali Shah Geelani
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(1929- ) is the head of a separatist party known as Tehreek-e-Hurriyat (Movement for Liberty) which is now apart of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, where he is also chairman. His party holds the belief that freedom can be achieved for Kashmir through demilitarization and allowance of the plebiscite to take place to determine the future of the country.
Mufti Mohammad Sayeed
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(1936- ) is the founder of the People's Democratic Party, under which he was Chief Minister of Kashmir from 2002-2005. His party hopes to initiate unconditional talks with India as to the resolution of the Kashmir problem.
Farooq Abdullah
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(1937- ) is the son of Sheikh Abdullah and has served as Kashmir's Chief Minister from 1982-1984, 1986-1990, and 1996-2002 under the banner of the National Conference party. His reign as Chief Minister was plagued by bouts of President's rule until Mufti Mohammad Sayeed succeeded him in 2002. He is currently the chairman of the National Conference party.
Mirwaiz Molvi Farooq
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(1945-1990) was the leader of the Awami Action Committee as well as being the religious leader of Muslims in Kashmir (Mir= head, Waiz= priest). He was assassinated by unknown sponsored killers at his home on May 21st, 1990.
Mehbooba Mufti
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(1959- ) is the daughter of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, and the president of the People's Democratic Party.
Yasin Malik
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(1968- ) is the chairman of one of the two factions of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), which began as a terrorist organization upon its formation in 1977. In 1994, Malik renounced violence, and his organization now calls for a non-violent solution to the Kashmir problem.
Omar Abdullah
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(1970- ) is the son of Farooq Abdullah, and grandson of Sheikh Abdullah. He is the current Chief Minister of Kashmir under the National Conference party, a position he has held since 2009.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq
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(1973- ) is the son of Mirwaiz Molvi Farooq, and the chairman of both the Awami Action Committe and All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), which he formed in 1993. Upon his father's assassination, he took over at the age of 17, and with the formation of APHC, effectively united twenty-three Kashmiri separatist organizations.