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Book Review: Jammu and Kashmir (1949-1967) by Harbans Singh.

Ruling through turbulent times

In the current book, the author, in a way, has picked up the thread of events from where he left in his last work of this genre titled Maharaja Hari Singh: The Troubled Years, published in 2011.

Ruling through turbulent times

youth & wisdom: Dr Karan Singh was the youngest person ever to don a ruler's mantle



Dr S. S. Bloeria

In the current book, the author, in a way, has picked up the thread of events from where he left in his last work of this genre titled Maharaja Hari Singh: The Troubled Years, published in 2011.

The narrative, in this well-researched book, proceeds simultaneously at three levels. It is an informative tribute to the scion of the ruling Dogra dynasty of Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Karan Singh (as he prefers to call himself); who became the Regent, Sadar-e-Riyasat and Governor — in that order — of this state; for eighteen long and turbulent years. Incidentally, he was the youngest person ever to don this mantle; and also likely to stay so for a long time to come. The predicament of the young yuvraj, still not out of his teens and called upon to shoulder a great responsibility without the guidance of either of his parents has been pithily described. In the years to come he was confronted with many difficult situations, including how Sheikh Abdullah as the then Prime Minister of J&K steadily became “a huge disappointment for leaders in Delhi.”

At another plane, this work chronicles in considerable details the important developments of the period; like the implementation, without any constitutional back-up, of The J&K Big Landed Estate Abolition Act 2007 (1950 AD); establishment of the Constituent Assembly in 1951; arrest of Sheikh Abdullah in 1953; commencement of the Constitution of J&K in 1957; release of Sheikh Abdullah from jail in 1964; re-designation of the head of state and head of government as Governor and Chief Minister, respectively in 1965; as also the Indo-Pak war in the same year and Karan Singh joining the national politics in 1967. His dilemma has been comprehensively described by the author as, “The two power centres in the State thus evolved as entirely different persons. The young yuvraj, eager to play a meaningful role in the state, created by his ancestors but where the conditions had radically changed, tried to play out the constitutional role to the best of his abilities without compromising on the issue of post-accession challenges.”(p-102).

Another distinctive feature in this work is the articulation of the point of view of the Jammu region; something that very few writers have attempted in the past. In this backdrop, one finds an interesting analysis of the policy of “land to the tillers” made by an American correspondent. The Praja Parishad agitation was a distinctive manifestation of a collective sense of neglect and hurt pride. From this angle also history of the early decades of J&K State assumes considerable importance; as foundations for reducing the political significance of Jammu region were laid during the period.

Almost in the passing, a reference has been made about integration of the entire J&K State Forces in the Indian Army; something which is unique in the history of post-independence India and a just tribute to the soldiers of this land.

The author has evidently done some laborious research into historical facts and bringing into light certain events of those times; not well known to the general public. He appears to have deep and comprehensive knowledge about various facets of the tangled issue of Kashmir; which has become even more knotty problem over the decades it has been left to fester.

The mode of narration by the author is quite engaging and he manages to interest the reader through the entire account; his prose is lucid and seems adept at using the power of words effectively. Still he manages to avoid the language being either turgid or flowery.

This book will certainly be a valuable inclusion to any institutional or personal library. It would also benefit scholars as a useful reference material.

After finishing the book, a reader is left with the impression that apart from being purely a biographical account; the author could have more critically examined role of the main protagonist in relation to developments of significance. Also, inclusion of an index at the end of the book would have been a useful addition.

One hopes that in his next work, the author would describe events leading to the current unfortunate situation in the state.

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