Kashmir Facts and Figures Page

A word from me

This is an effort to put everything related to Kashmir and the dispute, on one page and provide as much information as possible. Most of the material is taken from the web, from different places.

We all know the present situation in Kargil. But how much do we know about the subject. Many of us even don't know where Kargil is! We even do not know what the Line of Control (LoC) is and why it is there ? Why do we need a LoC and why no call it a border ? Or is there a different border? Well friends and well-wishers, here is an effort to answer all these questions and many other related ones. Placed below are some maps which show the original J And K, the LoC, the Chinese border and Kargil.

Kashmir a Paradise

Kashmir was once a tourists' paradise. It has been known for centuries as the greenest and most temperate spot in the Himalayas-beautiful beyond imagination. Deep blue lakes reflect soaring, snow-capped mountains. Lush forests of fir, pine, and spruce line the banks of rivers born in the high peaks. In past days, Kashmir was the summer refuge of the British raj as well as wealthy Indians escaping the blistering heat of the southern plains.

With the advent of the tourist trade, the region only gained in popularity. Lavish brochures described breathtaking scenery and centuries-old shrines. As recently as 1989, more than half a million Indian and foreign vacationers traveled to Kashmir to drift carefree on houseboats, or to ski, hike, or fish the trout streams. Guides escorted visitors to famous landmarks, including the Mogul gardens of Nishat Bagh, the Mattan temples, Hari Parbath castle, and Pahalgam, the hiker's mecca.

The region once was compared to a diamond whose glitter and sparkle attracts adventurers, scoundrels, fortune-seekers, and romantics. But Kashmir has also been a crossroads for invaders: Afghan, Sikh, and Dogra rulers have all left their imprint.

Kashmir is prized for more than just its natural beauty. Wedged between Pakistan, India, China, and Afghanistan, "greater Kashmir" (including both the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-controlled Azad Kashmir) sits squarely in the middle of a web of disputed borders. The Kashmir valley is the passageway through the Himalayas to the entire subcontinent. From Kashmir flow the Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum rivers, upon which Pakistan depends for water. As India's northernmost territory, the state of Jammu and Kashmir provides a valuable window on the other regional powers, including China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the nearby former Soviet republic of Tajikistan.

Some maps

(Kindly use the Back button of your browser after viewing the maps)

A map of India : This shows the Pakistan and India borders along with LoC (Line of control)
A map of India : This map shows the actual borders claimed by India, Pakistan and China (in colors)
Jammu & Kashmir : The original Jammu & Kashmir which belonged to India.
A map of Pakistan : This shows a map of Pakistan, which claims Kashmir upto LoC as theirs.
Line of Control : This map shows the LoC and places along the LoC.
Line of Control : A close up of LoC or Cease Fire Line along with original India border.
(907KB may take a few extra seconds to download, but worth waiting!)

Now that we have seen the border, LoC and the original J&K, we will be in a better position to understand the topics below. There are some links which show the History of Kashmir, the hand over during partition the wars fought and the agreements.

The burning problem
Kashmir basic facts : This lists some basic facts, figures and dates related to Kashmir.

Jammu & Kashmir - The Background : Read some background on Kashmir, Tashkent & Shimla Agreements.

Article 370 : The often talked about article 370, what is it anyway ?
Kashmir Profile : A profile of Kashmir Gives answers to the following questions: -
What exactly happened in 1947?
How did the fighting end?
Why was Jammu & Kashmir termed "Disputed Territory"?
But what is the legal position on Jammu & Kashmir?
Was this decision on the Maharaja’s part legal?
Why was a plebiscite not held?
Why could not India hold a plebiscite in the part of Jammu & Kashmir
which still remained in and part of India ?
Why cannot a plebiscite be held today?
Why is there so much trouble in Kashmir nowadays
How did Kashmiri terrorists dare to take on Indian soldiers?
What is the situation in the Kashmir Valley today?
Why does violence continue in Kashmir even after the elections?
What do the people in other parts of Jammu & Kashmir feel?
What about the people on the Pakistani side of Jammu & Kashmir?
Will peace ever come to Kashmir?
How can others help?

Those of you who would like to contribute to the Army welfare fund can send at the following address
Army central Welfare fund, Deputy Director (CW-8), Adjutant General's Branch, Army Headquarters West Block-III, RK Puram, New delhi 110 066, India

IAF's Kargil Page http://armedforces.nic.in/armedforces/kargil/

Army Central Welfare Fund Page

http://armedforces.nic.in/armedforces/kargil/arfund.htm

This page will be updated with some more stuff in the near future, so, please come back and have a look !

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If you have comments or suggestions, email me at [email protected]