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Kashmir: Glimpses of History and the Story of Struggle
In Kashmir: Glimpses of History and the Story of Struggle, one of the most prominent voices of Kashmir, Saifuddin Soz takes a passionate and compelling look at the past, present and future of a vastly misunderstood people.
Throughout its long, diverse, distinctive but scarred history, the beautiful and bountiful land of Kashmir has captured the imagination of travellers, kings, historians and nations. From its origins as an ancient civilization, to embracing Islam, to fighting invaders, to ruthless militancy, and the ensuing action by the Indian army; Kashmir has seen it all.
Kashmiris fought the Mughals, the Afghans and the Sikhs in the past. However, it was their fight against Dogra autocracy that ultimately led to their disillusionment with the Indian establishment. With Pakistan feeding the emotions of deeply alienated and disenchanted people and the Indian government using force and taking a harder stand by the day, this unique culture now stands completely besieged.
What is the future of Kashmir, then? What is the destiny of its people? Can there be solution to the weary problem confronting Kashmir? Can Kashmir reconcile with the past for a better future? Can the Valley return to a life of dignity, peace and development? How?
Saifuddin Soz discusses these questions and provides credible and implementable solutions to end the grave crisis.
Throughout its long, diverse, distinctive but scarred history, the beautiful and bountiful land of Kashmir has captured the imagination of travellers, kings, historians and nations. From its origins as an ancient civilization, to embracing Islam, to fighting invaders, to ruthless militancy, and the ensuing action by the Indian army; Kashmir has seen it all.
Kashmiris fought the Mughals, the Afghans and the Sikhs in the past. However, it was their fight against Dogra autocracy that ultimately led to their disillusionment with the Indian establishment. With Pakistan feeding the emotions of deeply alienated and disenchanted people and the Indian government using force and taking a harder stand by the day, this unique culture now stands completely besieged.
What is the future of Kashmir, then? What is the destiny of its people? Can there be solution to the weary problem confronting Kashmir? Can Kashmir reconcile with the past for a better future? Can the Valley return to a life of dignity, peace and development? How?
Saifuddin Soz discusses these questions and provides credible and implementable solutions to end the grave crisis.
- GenresHistory
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 20, 2018
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October 18, 2018

Kashmir - Glimpses Of History and the Story of Struggle.
Saifuddin Soz
Rupa Publications
216 Pages
Non-Fiction, History.
Rating : 4/5
What is the first thing that crosses your mind when someone mentions Kashmir? Snow clad mountains or Blood stained streets? Monk-like peace or chaos of discontent?
No matter how much you try to downplay, Kashmir is unarguably the most fascinating and notorious areas of beauty combined with trouble ridden in our country. It is impossible to not pay attention to this 'heaven' as it is called which suffers in turmoil of history, religion & intermittent violence. The social fabric and culture - a synthesis of such long sustained and deeply woven intricacies making it difficult to gauge the pulse of boiling pot of India. There are so many solutions to solving the quest of normalcy to Kashmir caught in the nexus of evergreen rivals, India and Pakistan. But to form such solutions, it is foremost important to understand the history of Kashmir to an extent, that too - dispassionately and pragmatically.
Kashmir - Glimpses Of History and the Story of Struggle is one such literary piece that would help us to understand the history of Kashmir, if not much so in finding solutions for it's problems. Soz, a Former Union Minister in Government Of India, a politician and educationalist of immense stature from Kashmir has put together a riveting account of historical, literary, cultural and political realms of this state garnished with important archaeological annotations. It is a literary and political rarity to elucidate analysis about a burning and complex issue in such a compact manner with little room for bias and error.
The book is a guide in laying a chronological account of Kashmir from the prehistoric times to the contemporary Kashmir in India. This book is a compilation of summarized essays by Soz on accounts about Kashmir from all periods of history by authors as well as other well known travelers, thinkers and kings. From Herodotus, to Ptolemy to Al Beruni's Kashmir and most importantly from Kalhana's Rajatarangini towards the records about Kashmir by the British. From an ancient civilization to it's exposure to Islam, to fighting off invaders and the current ensuing trouble in the 21st Century.
Coming to later period in history, the author devotes special chapters criticizing the regimes of Afghans and Mughals and later The Sikhs, which the author says the Kashmiris regretted going to in order to establish Sikh rule over Kashmir. But there are faulty statements which suggest the acceptance of Islam in Kashmir was peaceful and not by force, which is false by a mile. Baring some exceptions, the author's claims on this issue sound dicey.
Soz has given ample impetus on the issue of accession of Kashmir to the Union of India post 1947. He gives excellent analysis on the happenings during the period. He talks a fair amount of the Nehru - Sheikh - Patel axis of the period of decision making and is heavily critical of Sardar Patel, which is a bit historically inconsistent and full of misinterpretation. The book heaps loads of praise for Sheikh Abdullah and Jawaharlal Nehru while demeaning Sardar Patel and Maharaja Harisingh.
Further fallacies to be found in the book are the views laid down by the author are about the Exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from Kashmir in the 90s. The author has out rightly bombed the blame at the doors of Union of India and the appointment of Jagmohan as governor for the second time stating 'the governor supported/suggested the migration and asking the Hindus to leave to avoid violence and friction. This is a shocking and untrue analysis as far as logical study about this issue is concerned. The fact that, exodus of Kashmiri Pandits was a communal and violent issue cannot be shielded and misguided under the false claims of mismanagement and administration.
The final chapter in the book, sadly a very short one which ideally should have been the crux of this book is 'The Way Forward' sheds light on the solution the author feels should be implemented for the peaceful and timely resolving of the Kashmir issue. Although, not new to the solution realm as has been earlier put down by many pundits and learned men, like communication with people of Kashmir and the problem cannot be solved militarily but only by dialogue, they are worth considering. The author has called for immediate repealing of the hotly debated Armed Forces Special Powers Act which gives impunity and unrestrained powers to the Indian Army in Kashmir and is termed as 'draconian' and 'unnecessary' and not only unhelpful, rather hampering to the process of solving the deadlock in Kashmir.
As the book ends, Soz has oddly suggested the Union Of India to bring to the table all the stakeholders of that area, by which he prominently mentions, the Hurriyat Conference which is the prime separatist and extremist faction & has time and again fueled the troubles in Kashmir. No matter how shocking and inconvenient it sounds, it will be necessary to either destroy or dilute such forces, if India has to solve the problem and the author's view stands partially convincing as a solution.
Finally, the author ends with suggestion to the Modi regime to continue on the Musharraf - Vajpayee - Singh policy axis of early 2000s, which unfortunately due to Musharraf's ouster could not materialize but can act as a blueprint of solution for the future.
Despite it's occasional bias and ideology, this is a must read, because you will not find a better and well articulated history and analysis of Kashmir by such an experienced candidate who has witnessed bureaucracy and turmoil so closely. The flair and depth of knowledge Soz imparts in this book is impeccable and should be read by every person who wishes to understand and wants the challenge of Kashmir to be solved in the near future. Absolutely enlightening.
Don't miss this one, curious readers!
You are in for a treat.
Happy Reading.
Thank you.
I thank Rupa Publications for the review copy.
Order your copies at : https://www.amazon.in/Kashmir-Glimpse...
Kashmir - Glimpses Of History and the Story of Struggle.
Saifuddin Soz
Rupa Publications
216 Pages
Non-Fiction, History.
Rating : 4/5
What is the first thing that crosses your mind when someone mentions Kashmir? Snow clad mountains or Blood stained streets? Monk-like peace or chaos of discontent?
No matter how much you try to downplay, Kashmir is unarguably the most fascinating and notorious areas of beauty combined with trouble ridden in our country. It is impossible to not pay attention to this 'heaven' as it is called which suffers in turmoil of history, religion & intermittent violence. The social fabric and culture - a synthesis of such long sustained and deeply woven intricacies making it difficult to gauge the pulse of boiling pot of India. There are so many solutions to solving the quest of normalcy to Kashmir caught in the nexus of evergreen rivals, India and Pakistan. But to form such solutions, it is foremost important to understand the history of Kashmir to an extent, that too - dispassionately and pragmatically.
Kashmir - Glimpses Of History and the Story of Struggle is one such literary piece that would help us to understand the history of Kashmir, if not much so in finding solutions for it's problems. Soz, a Former Union Minister in Government Of India, a politician and educationalist of immense stature from Kashmir has put together a riveting account of historical, literary, cultural and political realms of this state garnished with important archaeological annotations. It is a literary and political rarity to elucidate analysis about a burning and complex issue in such a compact manner with little room for bias and error.
The book is a guide in laying a chronological account of Kashmir from the prehistoric times to the contemporary Kashmir in India. This book is a compilation of summarized essays by Soz on accounts about Kashmir from all periods of history by authors as well as other well known travelers, thinkers and kings. From Herodotus, to Ptolemy to Al Beruni's Kashmir and most importantly from Kalhana's Rajatarangini towards the records about Kashmir by the British. From an ancient civilization to it's exposure to Islam, to fighting off invaders and the current ensuing trouble in the 21st Century.
Coming to later period in history, the author devotes special chapters criticizing the regimes of Afghans and Mughals and later The Sikhs, which the author says the Kashmiris regretted going to in order to establish Sikh rule over Kashmir. But there are faulty statements which suggest the acceptance of Islam in Kashmir was peaceful and not by force, which is false by a mile. Baring some exceptions, the author's claims on this issue sound dicey.
Soz has given ample impetus on the issue of accession of Kashmir to the Union of India post 1947. He gives excellent analysis on the happenings during the period. He talks a fair amount of the Nehru - Sheikh - Patel axis of the period of decision making and is heavily critical of Sardar Patel, which is a bit historically inconsistent and full of misinterpretation. The book heaps loads of praise for Sheikh Abdullah and Jawaharlal Nehru while demeaning Sardar Patel and Maharaja Harisingh.
Further fallacies to be found in the book are the views laid down by the author are about the Exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from Kashmir in the 90s. The author has out rightly bombed the blame at the doors of Union of India and the appointment of Jagmohan as governor for the second time stating 'the governor supported/suggested the migration and asking the Hindus to leave to avoid violence and friction. This is a shocking and untrue analysis as far as logical study about this issue is concerned. The fact that, exodus of Kashmiri Pandits was a communal and violent issue cannot be shielded and misguided under the false claims of mismanagement and administration.
The final chapter in the book, sadly a very short one which ideally should have been the crux of this book is 'The Way Forward' sheds light on the solution the author feels should be implemented for the peaceful and timely resolving of the Kashmir issue. Although, not new to the solution realm as has been earlier put down by many pundits and learned men, like communication with people of Kashmir and the problem cannot be solved militarily but only by dialogue, they are worth considering. The author has called for immediate repealing of the hotly debated Armed Forces Special Powers Act which gives impunity and unrestrained powers to the Indian Army in Kashmir and is termed as 'draconian' and 'unnecessary' and not only unhelpful, rather hampering to the process of solving the deadlock in Kashmir.
As the book ends, Soz has oddly suggested the Union Of India to bring to the table all the stakeholders of that area, by which he prominently mentions, the Hurriyat Conference which is the prime separatist and extremist faction & has time and again fueled the troubles in Kashmir. No matter how shocking and inconvenient it sounds, it will be necessary to either destroy or dilute such forces, if India has to solve the problem and the author's view stands partially convincing as a solution.
Finally, the author ends with suggestion to the Modi regime to continue on the Musharraf - Vajpayee - Singh policy axis of early 2000s, which unfortunately due to Musharraf's ouster could not materialize but can act as a blueprint of solution for the future.
Despite it's occasional bias and ideology, this is a must read, because you will not find a better and well articulated history and analysis of Kashmir by such an experienced candidate who has witnessed bureaucracy and turmoil so closely. The flair and depth of knowledge Soz imparts in this book is impeccable and should be read by every person who wishes to understand and wants the challenge of Kashmir to be solved in the near future. Absolutely enlightening.
Don't miss this one, curious readers!
You are in for a treat.
Happy Reading.
Thank you.
I thank Rupa Publications for the review copy.
Order your copies at : https://www.amazon.in/Kashmir-Glimpse...
September 18, 2018
One of the most sensitive subjects currently in India, Kashmir has been the victim of political unrest and prejudices, militancy, terrorism and religious fanaticism since aristocracy spread its roots there. With a solution to the turmoils in Kashmir seeming to be aeons away, it becomes imperative for one to understand the origins of the unrest in Kashmir. How did the ‘paradise on earth’ become a living hell for its inhabitants? Who is responsible for the downfall of Kashmir? When did it all begin? In this book, Saifuddin Soz answers all this and more.
Hailing from Kashmir, Saifuddin Soz is an Indian professor and a long-time Member of Parliament of India. With a Master’s in Economics, he has worked as a professor in several colleges in Kashmir and has a thorough knowledge of the history of Kashmir. Having authored several books addressing the crisis in Kashmir, Kashmir: Glimpses of History and the Story of Struggle is his latest work. The book takes us through a detailed history of Kashmir, through records old and new and accounts of travellers, both Indian and foreign. He talks about the mythological tales surrounding the origins of Kashmir and progresses through several facts as found in books like Rajatarangini and Kashmir: Exposing the Myth Behind the Narrative, and extensively quotes historians like Marc Aurel Stein. He has also added his opinions to each of the revelations in the books and time and again urges the reader to form their own.
The book is an eye-opener for anyone wanting to know about the history of Kashmir. For instance, for someone who has been hearing nothing but stories of atrocities in Kashmir now, I was thoroughly surprised by the harmony that existed between the citizens of Kashmir, before autocracy took over. The author takes us through the struggles of the Kashmiris under the hands of the Afghans, the Sikhs and the Dogras, and their fight for freedom. He further gives great insight into the Treaty of Amritsar and the Delhi Agreement of 1952 and tells us how armed militancy began and progressed in Kashmir. The book ends with his valuable opinions on what lays ahead for the future of Kashmir and what can be the possible solutions to the prevailing issues there.
Kashmir: Glimpses of History and the Story of Struggle by Saifuddin Soz gives us an insight into the history of Kashmir and the reasons behind its current situation. The author being someone who has been witness to the struggles of Kashmir, who holds a position of power and has had his own daughter kidnapped by the militants, these insights are as real as it gets. Because of the extensive historical anecdotes, the book begins a bit slow. But it quickly progresses into a smooth read and I was glued to it till the very end. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know Kashmir’s history and the stories of its struggle.
Hailing from Kashmir, Saifuddin Soz is an Indian professor and a long-time Member of Parliament of India. With a Master’s in Economics, he has worked as a professor in several colleges in Kashmir and has a thorough knowledge of the history of Kashmir. Having authored several books addressing the crisis in Kashmir, Kashmir: Glimpses of History and the Story of Struggle is his latest work. The book takes us through a detailed history of Kashmir, through records old and new and accounts of travellers, both Indian and foreign. He talks about the mythological tales surrounding the origins of Kashmir and progresses through several facts as found in books like Rajatarangini and Kashmir: Exposing the Myth Behind the Narrative, and extensively quotes historians like Marc Aurel Stein. He has also added his opinions to each of the revelations in the books and time and again urges the reader to form their own.
The book is an eye-opener for anyone wanting to know about the history of Kashmir. For instance, for someone who has been hearing nothing but stories of atrocities in Kashmir now, I was thoroughly surprised by the harmony that existed between the citizens of Kashmir, before autocracy took over. The author takes us through the struggles of the Kashmiris under the hands of the Afghans, the Sikhs and the Dogras, and their fight for freedom. He further gives great insight into the Treaty of Amritsar and the Delhi Agreement of 1952 and tells us how armed militancy began and progressed in Kashmir. The book ends with his valuable opinions on what lays ahead for the future of Kashmir and what can be the possible solutions to the prevailing issues there.
Kashmir: Glimpses of History and the Story of Struggle by Saifuddin Soz gives us an insight into the history of Kashmir and the reasons behind its current situation. The author being someone who has been witness to the struggles of Kashmir, who holds a position of power and has had his own daughter kidnapped by the militants, these insights are as real as it gets. Because of the extensive historical anecdotes, the book begins a bit slow. But it quickly progresses into a smooth read and I was glued to it till the very end. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know Kashmir’s history and the stories of its struggle.
June 25, 2018
Nothing great and biased
First part is good as it gives overview of history of Kashmir. But second half of post 1947 is not covered well. I didn't find reasoning convincing that Nehru dismissed sheikh due to pressure from Hindu groups. He seems to be absolved from all his misadventure surprisingly.
First part is good as it gives overview of history of Kashmir. But second half of post 1947 is not covered well. I didn't find reasoning convincing that Nehru dismissed sheikh due to pressure from Hindu groups. He seems to be absolved from all his misadventure surprisingly.
October 29, 2020
Have heard Prof Soz on several occasions on TV and found him a very rationale, logical and pragmatic individual. When I came to know of his book, I immediately got it with an anticipation of a good read.
But it fell far from expectations... first 3/4 of the book are small, not so very elucidated short essays of travellers views Kashmir where the theme drawn up is that Kashmir and Kashmiris have been a tormented lot over the years by several kings; and that the Kashmiris are by and large simple but deceitful and cunning people (primarily because they have been tormented) ... I don’t think that’s a valid generalization to keep repeating in every chapter
The crux is in Sri Soz’s 10 point formula... which too is one sided ... will all onus on the Union of India. He mentions nothing what the people of Kashmir and the local leaders of Kashmir have as a responsibility to bring about peace
And the last one that came as a disappointment was where the Musharaf Peace Plan has been highlighted at several junctures of his 10 point formula ... the same General who brought Kargil War as his pet and stabbed India in the back
Sorry Soz sahib ... I had very high expectations ... but alas
But it fell far from expectations... first 3/4 of the book are small, not so very elucidated short essays of travellers views Kashmir where the theme drawn up is that Kashmir and Kashmiris have been a tormented lot over the years by several kings; and that the Kashmiris are by and large simple but deceitful and cunning people (primarily because they have been tormented) ... I don’t think that’s a valid generalization to keep repeating in every chapter
The crux is in Sri Soz’s 10 point formula... which too is one sided ... will all onus on the Union of India. He mentions nothing what the people of Kashmir and the local leaders of Kashmir have as a responsibility to bring about peace
And the last one that came as a disappointment was where the Musharaf Peace Plan has been highlighted at several junctures of his 10 point formula ... the same General who brought Kargil War as his pet and stabbed India in the back
Sorry Soz sahib ... I had very high expectations ... but alas
August 15, 2018
As India celebrates its 71st anniversary of independence, I feel that there is no better occasion to discuss the land’s most disputed territory- Kashmir. To most Indians, Kashmir is a tourist spot, Pakistan’s border and to some nationalists, ‘an integral part of India’. But why is there such turmoil regarding an Indian state then? To know that, we must understand and learn the history of Kashmir first. And this book can guide us in the same direction.
Former Union Minister Professor Saifuddin Soz, a Kashmiri by birth and by heart, through his book Kashmir: Glimpses of History and the Story of Struggle tells us the tale of the paradise on earth.
You can read my entire review of the book here: https://blogsvageradot.wordpress.com/...
Former Union Minister Professor Saifuddin Soz, a Kashmiri by birth and by heart, through his book Kashmir: Glimpses of History and the Story of Struggle tells us the tale of the paradise on earth.
You can read my entire review of the book here: https://blogsvageradot.wordpress.com/...
August 26, 2022
Plain rubbish. You’d be better off reading Wikipedia. A pathetic waste of one’s time.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews