DR.ABDUL AHAD
A huge variety of reforms was contemplated to address the multiple problems confronted by the Kashmiris. The most notable among them was that of the land settlement, the operations of which the British continued unabated despite the opposition of the vested interests and absentee landlords. Launched first under the expert guidance of A. Wingate, and then his successor in the field, namely Sir Walter Lawrence”, the land settlement proved to be a historical event of great significance which brought forth the much needed relief to the dismayed, dispirited, half naked and underfed cultivators. It guaranteed their daily sustenance by allowing them to retain about seventy percent yield of the land and, thereby, facilitated their liberation from the most obnoxious web of rural indebtedness and from the clutches ot money-lenders”, The land revenue was correctly assessed; the State share was reduced to a great extent; it Was fixed unambiguously for the first time; waste land was reclaimed passably; full attention was paid towards irrigation and, inundation was plugged up considerably to manage the devastating effects of the recurring flood waters, Undoubtedly, these were revolutionary and radical steps which went a long way in mitigating the widespread rustic unpleasantness of Kashmir and in upholding the identity and dignity of its people.
Equally important was the reform that completely transformed, revolutionized and modernized the ancient system of communications in Kashmir. It was so messy and primitive that it had rendered Kashmir completely inaccessible to rest of the world”. The most vital changes introduced in the system gave to the Valley a network of roads and bridges” which resulted in breaking its age old isolation, making the city of Srinagar, for the first time, worthy for wheeled traffic and instant communication linkages. The launching of a network of telecom and postal services to replace qasid (special messenger), the outdated mode of communication, was a revolutionary step that brought about profound improvements in trade and commerce” The Jhelum Valley cart-road designed and built within a record period of a decade (1880-1890) by brilliantly cutting the mountain-sides from Domel to Baramulla proved to be an effective means of throwing open the beautiful Valley to the outside world giving boost to sudden and massive influx of visitors into the region and, thereby, exposing it to various types of pulls and pressures. It was a marvellous and dazzling feat of engineering that enabled Kashmir to achieve what could have been never possible otherwise. Its impact on the socio-economic conditions of Kashmir was distinctly visible and undoubtedly unforgettable.
Thus, with the establishment of Residency” a new era started in Kashmir which encouraged philanthropists and Missionaries to make it a hub of altruistic and humanitarian activities4. They opened schools and dispensaries in the city of Srinagar in 1864 where a good number of students and patients were taught and treated respectively.
Apart from uplifting the people socially, morally, educationally and materially these reforms paved the way for the growth of public opinion in the Valley, a new phenomenon that was unheard of before the arrival of the British and which finally manifested itself through the configuration of associations and groups of tar reaching consequences. It bolstered up the confidence of the people and emboldened them to articulate their thoughts on issues upsetting their routine life and form Anjumans, Organizations and Associations of their choice, initially before these associations – they highlighted their problems through petitions which they addressed to the Residents who were looked upon as rescuers and benefactors of humanity”, A good number of Kashmiris were so impressed by the new environment that they didn’t lag behind in appreciating the British and communicating to the Viceroy of India, through his Private Secretary, that;
No sooner the Kashmir Residency was established here that the things took a turn for the better. Laws were enforced to protect life and property. Disorder and chaos gradually gave way to order in all the departments of the State… We feel certain that the Residency is anxious to relieve the People of the tyranny….
The setting up of Residency was a great consciousness-raising event in the history of Kashmir which aroused the anger of its people against autocracy, feudalism and exploitation; inspiring them to launch a struggle that ultimately paved the way for a new ambience in the Valley.
….Concluded
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.
