Kashmir in Conflict: India, Pakistan and the Unending War [Paperback]

Victoria Schofield (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 18, 2003 | ISBN-10: 1860648983 | ISBN-13: 978-1860648984 | Edition: 2nd

Why has the valley of Kashmir, famed for its beauty and tranquility, become a major flashpoint, threatening the stability of a region of great strategic importance to pose a nuclear threat for the entire world? This book examines the Kashmir conflict in its historical context, from the period when the valley was an independent kingdom right up to the struggles of the present day. Drawing upon research in India and Pakistan, as well as historical sources, this book traces the origins of the state in the 19th century, the controversial "sale" by the British of the predominantly Muslim valley to a Hindu Maharaja in 1846 and the 20th century clashes between Muslim and Hindu interests now culminating in the threat of a major war.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...the dense information presented here cannot but be helpful to the interested observer." --Asian Voice

"...provides excellent context for understanding the continuing terrorist violence perpetuated by militants..." -- Foreign Affairs

Book Description

Why has the valley of Kashmir, famed for its beauty and tranquility, become a major flashpoint, threatening the stability of a region of great strategic importance to pose a nuclear threat for the entire world? This book examines the Kashmir conflict in its historical context, from the period when the valley was an independent kingdom right up to the struggles of the present day. Drawing upon research in India and Pakistan, as well as historical sources, this book traces the origins of the state in the 19th century, the controversial "sale" by the British of the predominantly Muslim valley to a Hindu Maharaja in 1846 and the 20th century clashes between Muslim and Hindu interests now culminating in the threat of a major war.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: I. B. Tauris; 2nd edition (January 18, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1860648983
• ISBN-13: 978-1860648984
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #506,431 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #91 in Books > History > Asia > Pakistan

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A scholarly piece of academic research, July 14, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Kashmir in Conflict: India, Pakistan and the Unending War (Paperback)

This was one of the books I used for for my dissertation and it was certainly among the most useful sources I came across. In this book, Schofield gives a succint history of the dispute and then vividly describes how it has evolved over the past half century while presenting a detailed analysis of the many wars fought on both the military and diplomatic fronts.

As an outsider and a neutral observer, Schofield very successfully presents a balanced viewpoint in describing both the Indian and Pakistani sides of the dispute. This, I felt, was very important because it is not common to come across a book on Kashmir which hasn't in any way been influenced by either side. Among the most important aspects of this book is the fact that Victoria Schofield has carried out a lot of field work research in Kashmir itself and gives a voice to the Kashmiri people, an extremely important source which is often ignored in similar research work carried out on Kashmir.

I recommend this book highly to anyone who wants to use it for academic research work.

24 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Completely ignores Pakistani Terrorism, March 12, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Kashmir in Conflict: India, Pakistan and the Unending War (Paperback)

Looking for historical facts about Kashmir? Look somewhere else.

Schofield completely ignores the history of the region that points an accusing finger towards islamic terrorism responsible for forcible conversion of Hindus and Buddhists to Islam.

She has not given importance to the fact that Pakistani terrorists tried to infltrate the region in 47 and then again in 65 but were beaten by the Indians.

She again ignores the curse of terrorism, Al Qaida and Taliban active in the valley today, all with the help of rogue elements in Pakistani army.

This book is certainly a good attempt at writing history of the troubled region but Pakistani terrorism is a part of this history. Thousands of people have been killed by these Pakistani terrorists. Lets not insult the dead by ignoring them.

8 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting account, June 8, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Kashmir in Conflict: India, Pakistan and the Unending War (Paperback)

Cancer of Islam? The reviewer below seems to be in the wrong category. Even though the author of this book has its main sources in India and British Libraries, it still gives a unbiased account which is a hard balance for many people related to this topic to maintain.