Archive, 1947: Armed revolt in Kashmir
Friction between Kashmir state, with its Hindu ruler and predominantly Hindu administration on the one hand, and its mainly Muslim population backed by public opinion in the adjoining Pakistan Dominion on the other, has in recent weeks taken the form of armed rebellion.
The Muslim peasantry of the western districts of Poona province have risen against the maharajah and within the last two days the main road link between Kashmir and Pakistan, leading from Srinagar (the capital of Kashmir) to Rawalpindi, has been cut.
According to reports in Srinagar today, rebellious Muslims have been aided and armed by Pakistan from across the Jhelum River, which here forms the border between Kashmir and Pakistan.
India: the British Raj is dead - archive, 15 August 1947
Consequently the rebels have succeeded in forcing Kashmir state troops (mainly Hindu dogras) to withdraw eastwards. The rebels are said also to have raided armouries and seized several hundred rifles and to have chased out the minority communities of Hindus and Sikhs who had earlier sought refuge in Kashmir territory from the communal troubles in the Rawalpindi division.
The latest and most serious development, however, which has hitherto lacked confirmation, is the report that within the last two days the adjacent district of Muzafarabad has likewise passed into the control of rebel peasantry, who in this case are said to be supported by armed raiders consisting of several hundred Pathans from Hazara. According to official sources here these Pathans from across the Pakistan border are running amuck in Muzafarabad district, burning and looting villages without much dis-crimination.
All these troubles are of course a direct repercussion of the accession controversy which has been exercising men's minds ever since British suzerainty over Kashmir ceased on 15 August.
Because Kashmir's population is more than 80% Muslim, and because its geographical and economic position make it dependent upon Pakistan, Muslims feel that the State must accede to Pakistan. But the union of India has been taking lively interest in the subject and indications are that the Hindu maharajah Sir Hari Singh, has been influenced by representations made by Mr Gandhi and other Congress leaders.
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