Page 2 - ch 16

Module - V Indo-Pakistan War 1947-1948

Major Wars Post
Independence

Note

Map 16.1 Pre-Partition Map of India
The ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, whose state was situated between the two new
countries, could not decide which country to join. The King, Maharaja Hari Singh was
a Hindu but his population was predominantly Muslim. Instead he signed a "standstill"
agreement with Pakistan in order that services such as trade, travel and communication
would be uninterrupted. India did not sign a similar agreement. Pakistan violated this
agreement as soon as it was signed and started applying economic and other pressures
to force it to accede to Pakistan. The only rail link with Jammu & Kashmir was cut off
and the traffic along the main road Srinagar-Rawalpindi was also interfered with. When
these pressures failed, tribal raids were organized from Pakistan into various parts of
Jammu & Kashmir. This became the beginning of the Kashmir problem.

30
30
MILITARY HISTORY