BY DR.ABDUL AHAD
Thus, the British set off in Kashmir, at a blistering speed, all that had systematically revolutionized the life of their ancestors in their own country They succeeded in securing for themselves safe boarders and accomplishing what finally proved useful both for their nascent Imperium and the people of Kashmir.
Drawing an appreciable attention of the British at a critical juncture of its history, when its people were terribly groaning under the heavy weight of the Hindu autocracy, Kashmir, thus, became a darling of the English; a centre of their attention, concentration and interference”, It came to feel their full impact after they subjugated Punjab, dismantled Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Lahore Kingdom and set-up the State of Jammu & Kashmir under the regime of Mabanaja Gulab Singh.
Initially at the time of its passing into the hands of the British in lieu of the war indemnity which the Sikhs had failed to pay-for their defeat in the Anglo-Sikh wars -owing to their mounting bankruptcy”, the Valley did not, however, entice them to annex it to their dominions. It couldn’t become the integral part of the British India for they thought it unproductive enough to pay the cost of its occupation and management”, They, thus, declined to incorporate it into their territories and instead disposed it off to Gulab Singh for a consideration of seventy five lacs of Nanak Shahi rupees.
It was, however, after the installation of Gulab Singh as the Maharaja of the new State that the secrets of Kashmir’s real full potential began slowly unfolding themselves before the English; making them hugely realize, though belatedly, how important it was for the well-being of their Indian Empire to be in charge of Kashmir. They despised themselves for their folly to have turned down the offer of talking directly the possession of the Valley at an opportune time. But it was too late to rectify the mistake”. They had already burnt their bridges by receiving the first instalment of the amount fixed for the “Sale” of Kashmir.They had, in fact, missed forever the prospect of holding Kashmir as their proud possession.
Kashmir was increasingly a promising land endowed with ample natural resources, water bodies, minerals and orchards: the God-given gifts that were captivatingly magnetic enough to attract all and sundry towards the region had immense potential to satiate all that the British wanted of it. It promised them rich pickings and blissful pleasures amidst its beautiful hillocks, crystal clear lakes, springs, mesmerizing picnic sports and refreshing ambience on the one hand and an efficient and viable pedestal for building up the castle of their Imperium with a high watch tower to look after their interests and thwart the evil designs of their enemies from across the Kashmir borders. Therefore, they lost no time in commencing their regular forays into the heaven on earth to make hay under its bright sun, calm and quite location and in the lap of its pleasures and plenty’s.
It was the callousness and half-hearted and lackadaisical attitude of Maharaja Gulab Singh towards the plight of his subjects that steadily emboldened the British to meddle in the affairs of Kashmir and assume pro-Kashmiri stance They began sending there, more frequently, a sizeable number of senior officers to take stock of things which were shockingly so grim that they couldn’t resist imploring their superiors to prevail upon the bigoted ruler to improve the lot of his subjects and dispense justice without any partiality or discrimination. Their pleadings created a desired effect: the British Government made satisfactory arrangements for acquiring, on regular basis, information from Kashmir through an officer stationed in the capital city of Srinagar on-special duty.
In 1851 the first English officer was, thus, posted in the city centre to keep the Company informed about all the developments that took place in the Valley. Subsequently, in the reign of Maharaja Partap Singh, the Officer-on-Special Duty was replaced by a permanent and more authoritative officer, called the British Resident, He headed a full-fledged Residency that grew slowly into an institution of far reaching consequences; bringing the people of Kashmir much closer to numerous benefits of new age and the Western institutions, Auguring well for the future of Kashmir, the Residency, thus, brought with it English ideas and Western devices which in turn influenced public opinion and propelled the local Government into action; impelling the stubbornly oppressive rulers to be compassionately disposed towards their subjects”.
Dr. Abdul Ahad is a well-known historian of Kashmir. He presents a perspective on the Kashmir issue and talks about Kashmir’s history and individuality and personality.
