The Chief Minister And The Spy

About The Chief Minister And The Spy

The Chief Minister And The Spy is a book on Kashmir politics by A.S. Dulat, the former head of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), published by Juggernaut. If you are looking for The Chief Minister and the Spy online, Lafz Bookstore is based in Srinagar and stocks one of the largest online collections of Kashmir books, so you can order it along with other titles on the Valley’s politics and history. For the publisher, year and format of the copy in stock, please message us on WhatsApp at 9906523492 for details of the copy in stock.

The book is written as a memoir-style account. Dulat looks at the political story of Jammu and Kashmir through his own long experience as an intelligence officer and through his association with the Abdullah family, one of the best-known political families of the region.

What the book covers

• The author’s recollections of working on Kashmir affairs and of his dealings with political leaders
• A comparison of the political approach of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and that of his son Farooq Abdullah, including their different relationships with Delhi
• The author’s account of events in the region’s political history, including the dismissal of the Farooq Abdullah government in 1984
• The author’s views on the 2019 changes to the constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir and on the reaction of Kashmiri political parties
• Broader reflections on trust, communication and missed opportunities between Srinagar and Delhi

The author and his perspective

Amarjit Singh Dulat served in the Intelligence Bureau and later headed RAW. He has written about Kashmir before, and readers know him for speaking openly about the years he spent engaging with political figures in the Valley. In this book he tells the story from his own vantage point, which means the views and claims are those of the author. The book was widely discussed when it appeared, and political figures mentioned in it have responded publicly. As with any memoir, readers are encouraged to treat it as one person’s account and to read it alongside other sources.

Why this book matters for readers of Kashmir politics

Books by people who worked inside the system add a different layer to what is already written by historians, journalists and academics. A memoir like this shows how decisions, conversations and personal relationships can shape political events. It does not replace scholarly history, but it helps a reader understand how those involved remember and explain their own roles. Students of political science, journalism and contemporary South Asian affairs often use such accounts as one primary-style source among many.

Who should read this book

• Students and researchers of Jammu and Kashmir politics and modern Indian history
• Journalists and writers who follow the politics of the Valley
• General readers who want an insider-style narrative rather than a textbook
• Libraries, colleges and study circles building a Kashmir reference shelf
• Readers of memoirs and political biography who enjoy personal accounts

How to get the most from the book

Read the book with a notebook. Mark every claim that depends on a private conversation and every claim that refers to a public, documented event. Then compare these with other books on Kashmir, such as histories of the region, memoirs by other participants and academic studies. Keeping the author’s argument separate from established facts lets you form your own balanced understanding. Discussing the book with friends or in a reading group can also bring out different readings of the same passages.

Pair it with other Kashmir books

If this title interests you, explore the wider Kashmir politics section at Lafz Bookstore. Reading memoirs, histories and regional studies side by side is the best way to build a full picture of the region, and our collection of Kashmir books is arranged to make that easy.

Edition details

Title: The Chief Minister And The Spy. Author: A.S. Dulat. Publisher: Juggernaut. Language: English. For the year, binding and number of pages 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 The Chief Minister and the Spy? It was written by A.S. Dulat, the former chief of India’s Research and Analysis Wing.

Who published it? Juggernaut.

What is the book about? It is the author’s account of Kashmir politics, centred on his association with Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah and on key moments in the region’s political history.

Is it one-sided? The views in the book are the author’s own. We recommend reading it alongside other books on Kashmir for a balanced picture.

How quickly will it reach me? We dispatch the same day from Srinagar, with delivery in about 1 day in Srinagar and 3 to 10 days in the rest of India.

Looking for more Kashmir books like this? Browse our Politics & Kashmir collection or explore all Kashmir Books. Follow Lafz Bookstore on Instagram for new arrivals and book recommendations.