Independent Kashmir: An Incomplete Aspiration

About Independent Kashmir: An Incomplete Aspiration

Independent Kashmir: An Incomplete Aspiration is a history by Christopher Snedden, published by Manchester University Press in 2021. If you are searching for a scholarly study of the idea of Independent Kashmir and how it has appeared in the region’s history, this 442-page volume is one of the main recent works on the subject. Lafz Bookstore is based in Srinagar and stocks one of the largest online collections of Kashmir books, and this title belongs on any serious Kashmir studies shelf. For details of the binding and condition of the copy in stock, please message us on WhatsApp at 9906523492 for details of the copy in stock.

We describe the book neutrally. The arguments are the author’s own, and we take no side on the questions it discusses.

What the book covers

Snedden follows the history of aspirations for self-determination in Kashmir across several periods, from Mughal rule through the era of successive outside rulers to the years after Partition. The book discusses the 1931 uprising against Dogra rule, the leadership of Sheikh Abdullah around Partition, the promised plebiscite that was not held, and the political tensions between Kashmir and the central government in India.

• The long historical background of Kashmir under different rulers
• The 1931 uprising and its place in the political story
• Leadership and events around the time of Partition
• The question of the plebiscite and what followed
• The author’s view on why the idea of independence has persisted

The author’s central argument

According to published descriptions, the author acknowledges that the state has been successful in containing pro-independence movements, yet argues that deep-rooted aspirations for autonomy have continued. He suggests that an unexpected event could change regional politics, and he notes that borders in South Asia have shifted several times since 1947. Readers can agree or disagree with this view, and it is useful to read it alongside other scholarly accounts.

About the author

Christopher Snedden is a historian and political scientist who has written extensively on South Asia and on the Kashmir question. His earlier work on the region has made him a familiar name for students of the subject, and this book is presented as a major study of the independence idea in particular.

Why Independent Kashmir matters as a subject of study

Whatever one’s own view, the idea of an independent Kashmir is part of the region’s political history and is discussed in academic debates. A reader who wants to understand the full range of positions needs a detailed, source-based account of where that idea came from. This book offers one, and it can help readers separate historical record from slogan, which is the first step in any careful study.

Who should read this book

• University students and researchers in history, politics and South Asian studies
• Teachers and librarians building a reading list on Jammu and Kashmir
• Readers in Srinagar and across the Valley who want a scholarly account of their region’s past
• Journalists and writers who need a well-referenced background volume
• Anyone interested in the history of self-determination movements in South Asia

How to read it well

Read the introduction first so you know what question the author is asking. Use the dates and names as anchors, and keep notes on which statements are documented facts and which are the author’s interpretation. Compare it with other histories of Jammu and Kashmir to see where accounts agree and where they differ. This book is a work of history and analysis; it is not legal or political advice.

Part of our Kashmir books collection

This title is in our Politics and Kashmir category. Explore the wider Kashmir books section for further titles on history, politics, society and culture.

Edition details

Title: Independent Kashmir: An Incomplete Aspiration. Author: Christopher Snedden. Publisher: Manchester University Press. Year: 2021. Length: 442 pages. Language: English. For other details of the copy in stock, please message us on WhatsApp at 9906523492 for details of the copy in stock. Same-day dispatch from Srinagar. Delivery takes about 1 day in Srinagar and 3 to 10 days across the rest of India.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote Independent Kashmir? Christopher Snedden.

Who published it and when? Manchester University Press, in 2021.

How long is the book? It runs to 442 pages.

Does the book take a political side? It presents the author’s own historical argument. Our description is neutral and we encourage readers to compare several sources.

Can I ask about the copy in stock? Yes, please message us on WhatsApp at 9906523492 for details of the copy in stock.

How long does delivery take? About 1 day in Srinagar and 3 to 10 days across the rest of India, with same-day dispatch.

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