This work probes the circumstances surrounding the ethnic cleansing and cultural genocide of Kashmiri Hindus⸺ the torchbearers of Valley’s ancient culture. All the typical stages of genocide from classification of the victims to the denial of culpability are clearly visible in the narrative. Real-life incidents bring to light the discrimination this educated community faced in the Valley, the dire circumstances under which they had to flee their motherland and their dogged determination to once again rebuild their lives. These aboriginals chose to abandon their homes, but not their faith. They not only survived this calamity but also thrived, and that is an inspiration for all the persecuted people. The fact that not even one act of violent revenge can be ascribed to Kashmiri Hindus, speaks volumes about their ethos.
From Sepoy to Subedar (Hardcover; INR 895) Sita Ram’s splendidly evocative chronicle of his forty-eight years in the service of the English is a piece of first-hand military history. First published in 1873, in translation from original Hindi, it eventually became a standard text book for the British officers.
From “Kashmir is J&K” to “Maqbool Sherwani saved Kashmir,” “Dogras committed atrocities on Kashmiris,” “The Instrument of Accession was never signed” to “Kashmiris are different and deserve a special treatment,” a number of narratives—both false and make-believe—have been occupying the centre-stage of political and academic discourses about J&K for many decades. This work intends to take a deliberate look at some of the narratives that are related to the most vital period of our history and continue to influence hearts and minds of people of J&K as also many an observer watching from far even today. This book may help those who have been swallowed by certain narratives floating around in our premier educational institutes across the country, to find the proverbial straw that can help them come out of the abyss. It is hoped that the readers who make an effort to go through the book, will have reasons to change their minds about the issues contained herein; the change, if at all however, is expected to be purely on the merit of the argument being presented in this book.
