Author: C Dassgupta
Publisher: Sage Publications
Year: 2002
Language: English
Pages: 219
ISBN/UPC (if available): 0761995897
Description
Based on documents that have now been declassified, this important book sheds fresh light on the genesis of the problem and examines the consequences of the often ignored fact that British officers commanded the armed forces of both India and Pakistan at that time.
Kashmir is arguably one of the most contentious and complex issues in south Asia today. It has persisted for more than 50 years despite wars, summits and declarations, and seems to be as intractable as ever.
This important book sheds fresh light on the genesis of the problem and examines the consequences of the often ignored fact that British officers commanded the armed forces of both India and Pakistan at that time. Based on documents that have now been declassified, it reveals the role played by Mountbatten and the British service chiefs in India and Pakistan during and Kashmir War of 1947 - 48.
• Why India took the Kashmir issue to the United Nations.
• Why India did not carry the war into Pakistan.
• The reasons India accepted a ceasefire
• The interplay between diplomatic and military developments.
The author begins with an account of British policy—military and diplomatic—towards the two dominions. Drawing on British archival material he goes on discuss :
• The evolution of British policy on Kashmir.
• The role played by the western powers in the Security Council
• The clandestine guidance received by C-in-C of the Indian forces from Mountbatten and the
British authorities.
• The secret understandings between the two C-in-Cs and the attempt made by General
Bucher to negotiate an informal truce with his counterpart in Pakistan.
• How Mountbatten used and abused his authority to ensure that the Kashmir issue did not
escalate into a full-scale inter-dominion war.
Analyzing the role of the great powers in third world conflict, this exciting and insightful book will be of great interest both to the lay reader and to those involved in international studies, political science, modern Indian and military history, strategic affairs, conflict/peace studies and South Asian politics.
Contents
Introduction
Junagadh-A Curtain Raiser
Crisis in Kashmir
The Defence of Srinagar
Reactions in London
Jammu Province
The Governor-General as Mediator
Military Plans
Counter-Attack or UN Appeal?
The Security Council
A Private Initiative
The Spring Offensive
The UN Commission for India and Pakistan
Limited Offensives
The Last Round
Ceasefire
Conclusion
Postscript
Endnotes
Index
About the Author