Kashmir: Exposing the Myth behind the Narrative

by Khalid Bashir Ahmad

The advent of Islam in medieval Kashmir gave birth to a narrative that describes forcible mass conversion of Hindus, eviction of aborigines and wanton demolition of religious symbols. A minority of Kashmiri Brahmans and their progeny who did not convert to Islam built and successfully perpetuated this narrative over the centuries. In the course of time, new elements were added to it. Following the eruption of armed insurgency in Kashmir and mass migration of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990, this community narrative has turned into the Indian mainstream view on Kashmiri Pandits. Kashmir: Exposing the Myth behind the Narrative challenges the existing narrative through historical facts and cross-referencing. It exposes many fallacies used to uphold this narrative and dissects the work of historians that has sustained ahistorical perceptions over a long period of time. The book links history to the present and facilitates an understanding of the situation today.

Genres: History, India

412 pages, Paperback

First published July 5, 2015

About the author

Khalid Bashir Ahmad is an author, poet and a former Kashmir Administrative Services (KAS) officer. He has served the State Administration as Director Information and Public Relations and Secretary, J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, besides heading the departments of Libraries and Research and Archives, Archaeology and Museums. His book Jhelum: The River Through My Backyard has added the Jhelum Factor to the history of Kashmir. His two works in Urdu poetry and prose have won the highest State literary award in 1984 and 2010.

Reviews

[Aditi Ukey · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I really like about this book that it isn't crippled with one-sided narratives and seeks to complete the half-painted picture in the popular discourse. Moreover, every fact is backed by references towards the end of the chapter. I'd recommend this book to anyone who is seeking to learn, unlearn, and relearn Kashmir.

[Azin Mir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kashmir: Exposing the myth behind the narrative is a comphrensive and a very well researched account of the political history of Kashmir starting right from the early paleolithic times till the end of the last millennium. It debilitates the existing populist narrative on Kashmir by highlighting the fallacies around its widely known history.

Khalid Bashir in this powerful piece of literary work dissects the early historical sources around Kashmir including Rajtarangini which divulge into details about the so called original inhabitants or 'aborgines' of Kashmir. Khalid argues that these aborgines consisting mainly of the Hindu Brahmanical Elite who consider themselves as the original inhabitants of the land, are actually a poetic imagination of the writer Kalhana and falls short of any accurate version of history. Khalid establishes this narrative on the basis of some well referenced sources on the history of Kashmir.

Khalid Bashir further gives a critical account of the developments in Kashmir after independence. He traces the dominant political sentiments of the Kashmiri people at the time of independence, after the imprisonment of Sheikh Abdullah in 1953, during the time of successive state governments largely under centre's control till the 1980s, the rise of student led movements in the 1980s as well as the exodus of the Kashmiri Pandits including the role of government and the influence of politics in it.

This book would be one of the best pieces of literature that I have read on Kashmir as it gives an overaching perspective on it's political history. It's a must read.

[avneet kumar · Rating 1 out of 5]

There’s nothin in this book other than false propaganda based on selective narratives. Even the sources selected are contradictory in nature. It’s like of suits my narrative I shall quote you and if the other things don’t, then you are wrong.

The author does know however his to make his work look like research work but the narratives give it all. At one Kashmiri Pandits are the source of hatred and at another moment they become the most loved people.

Lots of contradictions within the narration itself. I don’t know why I chose this book but I do know why I decided to read and finish. To understand the mindset of this part of story. And yes, till the time people of this kind of mindset exist in Kashmir society, nothing is going to change. In fact it only adds fuel to radicalisation.

I gave one star because negative star option wasn’t available .

[Amitesh Sinha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unbiased and not inclining towards any community is the essence of this book. And holds the reader to it.

[Shahid Nabi · Rating 5 out of 5]

When it comes to Kashmir, facts often suffer the most. A false narrative has been propagated among the Indian masses that the Kashmiri Pandits were massacred by their Muslim compatriots. This has led to harassment of not only Kashmiri Muslims but also Muslims across India, perpetrated by Hindutva ideologues and, at times, even liberals. However, a deeper dive into history reveals a different story—one where Muslims have consistently suffered at the hands of their Pandit compatriots.

This book aims to debunk the myths surrounding this false narrative propagated by the Indian media and right-wing organizations. Everything is presented with proper references, with minimal personal opinions from the author. The book explores who the true aboriginals of Kashmir are, challenging the Pandits' claim of being the original inhabitants. It critically examines the historical text Rajatarangini, written by Kalhana in just one year, which is full of mythology and fairy tales yet considered a historical account of Kashmir.

The book details the conditions of Kashmiri Pandits during the rule of the Shahmir dynasty, Mughals, Sikhs, and Dogras, highlighting how they enjoyed privileges while their Muslim compatriots suffered. The narrative of the so-called 'genocide' of Kashmiri Pandits is scrutinized, revealing how their demands for a separate homeland, Panun Kashmir, are creating a divide between communities. It also discusses how many Kashmiri Pandits are becoming pawns of Hindutva ideology, falling into this ideological trap.

[Oz . · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timely intervention, this book is a must read for everyone who wants to learn about Kashmir. It will answer the very first question that pops up in your mind especially when you look through the question of politics pandit-muslim dynamics in Kashmir. If you are aware about Kashmir through the media, and want to learn more this is where you can start.

[Harisankar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well researched book providing a counter narrative on the present discourse on Kashmiri Pandits by analyzing the role of historians, the administration and the media in serving the narrative of vilifying Kashmiri Muslims for the exodus Pandits.

[DB · Rating 1 out of 5]

false narrative.