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 start overnight with the Partition, but it was due to factors and influences dating centuries. The book explains the years-old history of the erstwhile state, dealing with influences that the state absorbed, with the big break in the story being the independence of the two countries- India and Pakistan. 

Then Kumar takes the subject head-on, with the actions of the two countries and their leadership and the actions and influences of various state and non-state actors on Kashmiri politics and everyday life. 

However, Radha Kumar does not entirely resort to a third-person narrative about what happened in Kashmir. Instead, she includes her own experience working in Jammu and Kashmir on a government mission and the successes and challenges she encountered in the venture, along with her teammates. This provides a first-hand glimpse of the difficulties of working in such a volatile area amid the pressures and responses from the higher-ups. 

A significant shortcoming of the book, which cannot be entirely attributed to the author, is that landmark events in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganisation of the State of Jammu and Kashmir into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are not covered. This is primarily because the book was published a few years before these events. Maybe a later version may overcome this shortcoming. 

Some readers may find the book to be more on the lengthy side at 400 pages, but each page provides a vivid description of the events that transpired. 

Overall, the book is an outstanding attempt to understand the stakes for various actors in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is worth reading for anyone interested in understanding the background of the happenings in the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh from a more historical than contemporary perspective. 

+: Comprehensive coverage of history of events

+: Diverse narration styles

-: Important events not dealt with

-: Might be lengthy for some readers

Rating: 9.4/10

Verdict: A must-read!