Historians have traced the history of Kashmir to the 7th century. Some have written that in the 2nd century A.D. Kashmir was annexed by Emperor Kunishka who made it part of the Kushan Empire (which later became part of ancient China).

It is known that during its long history Kashmir existed as an independent sovereign state for good 10 centuries and flourished as a model state in the region. The most glorious and talked about was the period referred to by the Kashmiris as the 'golden era' of Sultan Zain-al-Abadin (1420-1470), commonly known as the 'Budshah'.

Kashmir's long history of independence came to an end when in 1586 the Mughal's conquered it but the real tragedy began when in 1752 neighboring Afghan rulers finally succeeded in taking over. They established a ruthless reign, which lasted for over two generations. The Afghani occupation was followed in 1819 by an equally brutal and oppressive rule by the Sikh Maharaja of Punjab which in turn was overturned by the British in 1846.

Despite occasional resistance against the Dogra exploitations, they ruled J&K with an iron fist but as a sovereign independent princely state.

In August 1947, when the British Raj came to an end and the paramountency relinquished, two separate countries, namely India and Pakistan, were created as nation states. The semi-autonomous states such as Kashmir (not under direct British rule) became sovereign independent states by default with options to remain independent or accede to one or the other of the newly created dominions. Kashmir's misfortunes were not to end here.

India and Pakistan both had their reasons to seek accession of Jammu-Kashmir to their country. Their designs to win the race through political intrigue, deceit and naked aggression (to annex Kashmir) brought the conflict and their expansionist territorial ambitions out in the open.

In the military conflict that followed Kashmir was divided into two parts, two third of which (63%) went under Indian occupation and the rest (37%) under Pakistan. Pakistan justified its move by claiming that majority of Kashmir's Muslims wanted to accede with newly created Islamic Pakistan. India's justification of her invasion on 27th October 1947 was based on the fact that Indian leaders were able to persuade the autocratic ruler of Kashmir to sign a temporary 'Instrument of Accession 'in her favour just a day earlier. However, the authenticity of the date on that 'treaty' remains subject of a fierce dispute even today

Maharaja Hari Singh was faced with a popular rebellion against his continued inhumane rule and draconian laws from his subjects. In order to save his crown he is said to have signed this temporary "Accession Treaty" drawn up by India which gave her powers to enter Kashmir. The Governor General of India, Lord Mountbatten, however, made it clear that the treaty was subject to a later ratification by the people of J&K which never took place. As the Maharaja did not seek to test the will or satisfy the wishes of his subjects it gave rise to further disquiet by the Kashmiri population.

The 1947 revolt against the Maharaja, lead by members of Muslim Conference, which was formed as a result of the 1931 rebellion resulted in liberation of a third of the country but for Kashmiris that small victory was short lived. Muslim Conference had been split into two factions but on 4th October 1947 a provisional government known as Republic of Azad-Kashmir was declared as a people's representative body deposing the Maharaja off his throne. That provisional administration was quickly replaced by another regime aided by Pakistan, which eventually lost all self-assumed powers to 'friendly' Pakistan. (Ever since then it has remained a subservient authority under Pakistan's control, despite 'electing' its own Prime Minister and President).

The cease-fire demarcation divided Jammu-kashmir into two parts. Families and communities were split in the middle. During the process of that bloody partition tens of thousands were massacred in the Jammu region. Many families continue to endure the trauma of that everlasting nightmare even today.

The unprecedented human tragedy, which has caused immense suffering in the area, continues to unfold even today. In 1947/48 young Muslim men were killed off in the Jammu regions and their girls taken by non-Muslims and non-Muslim girls forced to convert and marry Muslim men only to be given the opportunity later to go back to their original religion but leaving the children behind.

In 1988, JKLF came into prominence when it took the center stage of Kashmiri politics by storm. Since than it has become the biggest challenge for the occupation forces of Jammu-Kashmir. Thus the struggle continues ...