Along with Jammu and
Ladakh, it is one of the three different cultural zones of the contemporary
Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir was formerly a princely realm controlled
by Hindu Dogra monarchs who also reigned over the mostly Muslim Kashmiris and
predominantly Buddhist Ladakhis.
Since India's independence in 1947, ethnic and religious
divisions have been a cause of strife, particularly in Kashmir.
Pakistan sought to capture the territory by force after
independence and claimed a chunk of Kashmir.
Since then, India and Pakistan have fought multiple battles
over it; Pakistan claims it based on their common faith of Islam, while India
claims it based on a document signed by Maharaja Hari Singh, the last of the
country's monarchs.
Kashmiris have been trapped in the middle of this regional
conflict, and their requests for greater self-determination have mostly gone
unheeded.
Tensions in Kashmir reached a peak during the widely
acknowledged fraudulent state elections of 1986.
Since 1990, the tension has escalated into a full-fledged
revolt, aided by secret Pakistani assistance.
During medieval times, the majority of Kashmiris converted
to Islam.
Previously, the region was a Hindu cultural hotspot.
The sun temple at Martand, a temple to the deity Shiva at
Pandrenthan, and the Shiva shrine at Amarnath cave, which is still a
significant pilgrimage destination, are all remarkable examples of early Hindu
architecture.
Kashmir is also home to a Hindu minority known as Kashmiri
Pandits.
Many of them have moved south to other areas of India as a
result of recent problems.
Despite their differing religious views, these two
populations share a shared language and sense of Kashmiri identity and culture.
See Christine Nivin et al., India, 8th ed., Lonely Planet,
1998, for general information about Kashmir and other Indian locations.
You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.
Be sure to check out my writings on religion here.
