The Tapestry of Power: British Manoeuvers in Punjab and the Genesis of Jammu and Kashmir’s Integration with India

Authors

  • S. Rakhshand Suman

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 370

Abstract

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.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Akbar, Nabeila, et al. "Securitization Theory in South Asia and Kartarpur Border: A Peace Initiative or a Conflict?" Journal of South Asian Studies, vol. 11, no. 2, 2023, pp. 153-160. doi:10.33687/jsas.011.02.4568.

Ali, Ahmad, et al. "Role of European Military Officers in the Army of Ranjit Singh: A Case Study of Its Training and Expeditions." Annals of Social Sciences & Management Studies, vol. 1, no. 3, 2018.

Ali, R. F. “Kashmir: A Century Struggle (1846-1948).” SSRN Electronic Journal, 2015.

Aslam, Saira, et al. "Youth Aspirations and Expectations of Economic Recovery of Jammu and Kashmir in India After Abrogation of Article 370." Regional Economic Development Research, 2021, pp. 144-179. doi:10.37256/redr.222021980.

Bal, S. S. “British Interest in Creating the Dogra State of Jammu and Kashmir.” Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, vol. 29, part 11, 1967, pp. 40-50.

Bhatia, A. "The Discursive Construction of Legitimacy in the Abrogation of Indian Constitution’s Article 370." Journal of Pragmatics, vol. 183, 2021, pp. 132-141.

Blane, George, et al. "V. Memoir on Sirmór." Transactions of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, vol. 1, 1827, pp. 56-64. doi:10.1017/s0950473700000100.

Dar, A. S., and A. M. Shah. “Reinterpreting Afghan Rule in Kashmir.” The Communications, Directorate of Distance Education University of Kashmir, vol. 27, no. 1, 2011, pp. 179-182.

Goel, V., and S. Sharma. “Anatomy of Article 370 and 35A: Tracing the Past to the Present.” CPJ Law Journal, vol. X, no. 1, 2020, pp. 28-45.

Gupta, A. “The Story of Jammu and Kashmir and Interpretation of Article 370 of the Constitution of India.” Global Journal of Human-Social Science Research, vol. 21, no. 15A, 2022.

Gupta, R., N. A. Khan, and R. K. Malik. “Remaking of Kashmir After the Abolishment of Article 370.” Res Militaris, vol. 12, no. 2, 2022.

Islam, M. M. “The Punjab Land Alienation Act and the Professional Moneylenders.” Modern Asian Studies, vol. 29, no. 2, 1995, pp. 271-291. doi:10.1017/S0026749X00012737.

Jha, Swati, et al. "An Analysis of the Abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s Special Status." International Journal of Political Science and Governance, vol. 5, no. 1, 2023, pp. 279-281. doi:10.33545/26646021.2023.v5.i1d.232.

Mohsin, Abdul, et al. "Silenced Voices and Strained Livelihoods: Challenges Faced by Kashmiri Women Entrepreneurs After Article 370 Abrogation." Discover Global Society, vol. 2, no. 1, 2024. doi:10.1007/s44282-024-00035-x.

Noorani, A. G., et al. The Constitution of Jammu & Kashmir. 2011, pp. 290-302. doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198074083.003.0009.

Parmu, R. K. A History of Muslim Rule in Kashmir, 1320-1819. Ministry of Education, New Delhi, 1969.

Parmu, R. K. A History of Sikh Rule in Kashmir, 1819-1846. Department of Education, Jammu and Kashmir Government, 1997.

Razia, Izzat, et al. "A Historical and Political Analysis of Kashmir Conflict: From Past to Present." Journal of Development and Social Sciences, vol. 2, no. IV, 2021. doi:10.47205/jdss.2021(2-iv)79.

Sabar, Bhisma N., et al. "India-Pakistan Relations After Abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A." Scholarly Research Journal for Interdisciplinary Studies, vol. 9, no. 67, 2021, pp. 15754-15770. doi:10.21922/srjis.v9i67.8224.

Sadaf, B., J. Saad, et al. “Muslims under Sikh Rules During the 19th Century: A Study of Punjab Till Annexation.” Journal of Positive School Psychology, vol. 7, no. 3, 2023.

Saini, S., and A. Kumar. “Military Strategy of Dogra Rulers of J&K State: Its Present Relevance.” Ilkogretim Online - Elementary Education Online, vol. 20, no. 2, 2021, pp. 807-812. doi:10.17051/ilkonline.2021.02.90.

Singh, Kamalroop, et al. "A Wedding Party, Something Old, Something New: The History of the Formation of the British-Sikh Regiments." Humanetten, no. 36, 2016, pp. 57-80. doi:10.15626/hn.20163605.

Singh, Moksha, et al. "The Special Status Conundrum and the Problem of Rehabilitation in Jammu and Kashmir." Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, vol. 8, no. 5, 2017, pp. 73-83. doi:10.1515/mjss-2017-0025.

Singh, P., and Louis E. Fenech, editors. The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies. Oxford University Press, 2016.

Singh, Parul, et al. "Abrogation of Article 370: A Look Back at Its Origin and Aftermath." ANVESHA - A Multidisciplinary E-Journal for All Researches, vol. 3, no. 1, 2022, pp. 5-9. doi:10.55183/amjr.2022.vo3.lsi.01.002.

Singh, R. “State Formation and the Establishment of Non-Muslim Hegemony in the Post-Mughal Nineteenth Century Panjab.” Department of History, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), 2009.

Singhvi, S. “Kashmir – the Bleeding Heart of Indian Democracy.” CPI (ML) Red Star, 2019.

The Indian Express. “Explained: How J&K Presidential Orders Have Worked, Why Move Faces Challenge.” 20 Mar. 2019, indianexpress.com/article/explained/how-jk-presidential-orders-have-worked-why-move-faces-challenge-5634728/.

Additional Files

Published

10-10-2024

How to Cite

S. Rakhshand Suman. (2024). The Tapestry of Power: British Manoeuvers in Punjab and the Genesis of Jammu and Kashmir’s Integration with India. Vidhyayana - An International Multidisciplinary Peer-Reviewed E-Journal - ISSN 2454-8596, 10(s1), 1133–1149. Retrieved from https://j.vidhyayanaejournal.org/index.php/journal/article/view/2017