The Tapestry of Power: British Manoeuvers in Punjab and the Genesis of Jammu and Kashmir’s Integration with India
Keywords:
British Empire, Sikh State of Punjab, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir, Dogra Kingdom, Instrument of Accession, Maharaja Hari Singh, Article 370Abstract
This paper examines the deliberate strategies employed by the British Empire to assert and consolidate control over northern India, with a particular focus on the subjugation of the Sikh State of Punjab and the establishment of the Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir. Through a multifaceted approach encompassing political manipulation, economic exploitation, and military intervention, the British gradually eroded Punjab's autonomy and integrated it into their colonial empire. To safeguard British commercial interests and establish a strategic buffer zone in the north, the British separated Kashmir from Punjab and created the Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir. The interconnected histories of Punjab and Kashmir illustrate the enduring impacts of the British in northern India, shedding light on the complex dynamics of colonial power in the region. Maharaja Hari Singh admitted Jammu and Kashmir to India after the country gained independence in 1947. Article 370 granted the territory special autonomy, giving it a unique position within the Union of India. In 2019, the Indian government made history by repealing Article 370 and downgrading Jammu and Kashmir to Union Territory.
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