The origins of the India-Pakistan conflict stem from the partition of British India in August 1947. This event split the subcontinent into two newly independent dominions: India, envisioned as a secular state with a Hindu majority, and Pakistan, established as a homeland for Muslims. The partition triggered large-scale communal violence, mass migrations, and the displacement of approximately 15 million people, with hundreds of thousands losing their lives in the resulting turmoil.
At that time, over 500 princely states were given the option to join India or Pakistan, or to remain independent. Among them, the case of Jammu and Kashmir emerged as a significant point of dispute.
The Heart of the Conflict
Jammu and Kashmir, a region with a Muslim-majority population governed by Hindu ruler Maharaja Hari Singh, initially aimed to remain independent. However, in October 1947, tribal militias from Pakistan invaded the state. In response to the invasion, the Maharaja appealed to India for military assistance and agreed to accede to India in exchange for protection. India accepted the accession and deployed troops to the region, sparking the first Indo-Pakistani war.
In January 1949, the United Nations intervened, arranging a ceasefire. This ceasefire left India in control of roughly two-thirds of the territory—including the Kashmir Valley, Jammu, and Ladakh—while Pakistan retained about one-third, comprising Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. The UN proposed a plebiscite to determine the region’s final status, but persistent disagreements over demilitarization prevented it from ever being held.
While Kashmir remains the most prominent and enduring flashpoint, other princely states like Junagadh also caused friction. Junagadh, a Hindu-majority state with a Muslim ruler, acceded to Pakistan, but India intervened and annexed it after a plebiscite overwhelmingly favored joining India
Why Maharaja Hari Singh Wanted Kashmir to Stay Independent Before Acceding to India
Geopolitical and Demographic Complexity
Jammu and Kashmir presented a unique challenge: a Hindu monarch ruling over a predominantly Muslim population. Hari Singh understood the political landmine this represented. Acceding to Pakistan could provoke unrest among Hindus and Sikhs, while choosing India might ignite rebellion among the Muslim majority.
The communal violence of partition only intensified these fears. The Maharaja was determined to avoid civil unrest by delaying any alignment, holding onto a neutral stance while weighing his options.
The Pursuit of Sovereignty
Hari Singh, like many other princely rulers, was reluctant to surrender his kingdom’s autonomy. He envisioned Kashmir as an independent state, with himself continuing as monarch, free from interference by either dominion. To this end, he signed a standstill agreement with Pakistan, essentially freezing the existing arrangements. He requested the same from India, but India chose not to respond immediately. These diplomatic moves were a clear signal: the Maharaja was trying to buy time to maintain sovereignty.
Partition Chaos and Political Volatility
The months following August 1947 were defined by widespread violence, refugee crises, and political instability. India and Pakistan were themselves struggling to solidify governance.
In Kashmir, political tensions also simmered. The National Conference, led by Sheikh Abdullah, had increasing influence and was openly critical of the Maharaja’s autocratic rule. Faced with internal dissent and external pressure, the Maharaja saw independence as a way to postpone conflict and wait for the region to stabilize.
Military Limitations and Border Vulnerabilities
Kashmir’s geography left it highly exposed surrounded by newly hostile borders and connected by difficult mountain passes. The Maharaja’s military was understaffed, undertrained, and fractured by communal divisions.
Desertions were common, and Pakistani propaganda encouraged rebellion within the army. In October 1947, this weakness was exploited by a tribal invasion supported by Pakistan, which overwhelmed local forces and pushed the Maharaja to seek urgent military aid.
Diplomatic Balancing Act
Hari Singh attempted to play both sides diplomatically, maintaining open communication with both India and Pakistan. His reshuffling of British advisors, increased correspondence with Indian officials, and cautious agreements all point to a ruler walking a diplomatic tightrope.
This balancing act was meant to extract the best deal, ideally allowing Kashmir to emerge as an independent neutral territory—a possibility that vanished after the invasion began.
Maharaja Hari Singh’s decision to seek independence for Kashmir was not naive—it was strategic. Faced with a volatile mix of geography, religion, politics, and military insecurity, he hoped to avoid conflict and preserve his rule.
But history had other plans. When Pakistani-backed forces invaded in October 1947, the Maharaja requested help from India, which came with one condition: sign the Instrument of Accession. What began as a bid for neutrality ended in an act that would shape the region’s history for decades to come.