Kashmir in 1947: Partition and the Maharaja's Dilemma
The situation
- When the British left (15 August 1947), about 565 princely states had to choose India or Pakistan (or rarely, stay independent). J&K had a Muslim majority, a Hindu Maharaja, and borders with both countries.
- Hari Singh hoped to delay, and perhaps to stay independent.
Key steps
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Aug 1947 | Hari Singh offered Standstill Agreements to both. Pakistan accepted; India asked for more talks. |
| Aug 1947 | Prime Minister Ram Chandra Kak was dismissed. Janak Singh replaced him. |
| Summer to autumn 1947 | Poonch uprising against high taxes. Pakistan supply of arms and men grew. |
| 15 October 1947 | Mehr Chand Mahajan became Prime Minister. |
Keep practising
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Prepared for exam revision from standard sources, official publications and the Census. Figures and recent developments change, so check official sources before relying on them. Found a mistake? Tell us.