The British occupied India in the 19th century and constructed a system of government through regional tyrants, which led to the formation of Jammu and Kashmir. The ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh, was Hindu, and the majority of the people in the state were Muslim, causing heavy tension. In 1947, as the British left the subcontinent, Pakistan and India were divided into separate countries. These two regions had many feuds involving land, culture, and religion. Both claimed Kashmir and Jammu, but the Maharaja ceded to India in 1947. Filled with rage, Pakistan rejected this, and a war between the two nations ensued.

The war went on for two blood-filled years, but in 1949, a cease-fire was announced by the United Nations. A line of control split the area between India and Pakistan, marking the official border. Numerous ongoing demonstrations and clashes between the Indian military and civilians in Jammu and Kashmir have persisted. The government of Pakistan has even backed many regional separatist organizations and asserts that India has been disregarding local human rights laws.

Jammu and Kashmir were granted special status under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution in 2019. In 2019, the Modi government of India repealed this provision and divided Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Its complicated history is characterized by centuries of rule by many emperors and kingdoms, as well as more recent conflicts between India and Pakistan. Human rights abuses and continuous violence have been ongoing in the area.

Today, the region spans a vast area of about 16,000 square miles, boasting a population of about 12 million inhabitants. Apart from the violence, it is truly a hidden gem in the enormous country of India, as it consists of beautiful plains, foothills, and mountain ranges. Kashmir and Jammu feature the endangered Kashmir Stag and Markhors. The international community must continue to monitor the region’s delicate situation and keep searching to find an everlasting peaceful resolution. However, the area is still tense, so it’s critical to keep safety apparent in this beautiful and complicated region.