Paradise at War: A Political History of Kashmir
When we have something that we value deeply, we tend to protect it at all costs. For people, it's their loved ones; for organisations and businesses, it's their MVPs, and for countries, it's what is known as strategic locations... A strategic location is of great importance for any country, especially when seen from the perspective of national security. But what happens to the strategic location if it is coveted by two nuclear weapon-wielding nations, in a game both know they can't afford to lose? Radha Kumar's Paradise at War: A Political History of Kashmir captures the grim realities of the politics of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir (now Union Territories of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh) and the impact of the influences of India and Pakistan. It also sheds light on what the people of the erstwhile state (or present union territories) experienced and aspire about being Kashmiri. The author first clears the air by showing Kashmir's problems did not sta...