Kashmir, often called the cradle of Indian civilization, is a diverse and opportune land. But after 1947, Kashmir became the scene of bloody conflicts between two competing powers. This conflict has its origins in the very fracture of the Indian subcontinent and in the formation of India and Pakistan. After the independence of the Indian subcontinent in 1947, the princely states had the choice of joining India or Pakistan. Say no to plagiarism. Get Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the Original EssayFor Jammu and Kashmir, the largest of these states, Lord Mountbatten, who was Governor of India, has advised that "in accordance with their policy that in the case of a State where the question of membership has been the subject of dispute, the question of membership should be decided in accordance with the wishes of the people of the State, the wish of my Government is that as soon as law and order has been restored to Kashmir and its soil cleared of the invader, the question of the accession of the State should be settled by a reference to the people . "However, Jammu and Kashmir had complex demographics. They had a predominantly Muslim population with also a significant Hindu and Sikh population. The Maharaja decided to remain neutral because he knew that Muslims would be unhappy with a decision to join India and that Hindus and Sikhs would be unhappy with a decision to join Pakistan Despite Maharaja Hari Singh's appeal to remain neutral, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, wrote on several occasions. to the Maharaja to persuade him to join Pakistan Jinnah promised "any kind of favorable treatment" for the Hindus and Sikhs living in Jammu and Kashmir. However, the Maharaja remained firm on his stance of neutrality. 1947, a tribesman from the Pathan region of Pakistan led an insurgency against the Jammu region of Kashmir. Hindus and Sikhs fled with harrowing tales of Muslim atrocities. This act triggered huge amounts of counter-violence against the Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir. The conflict escalated to such a degree that the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 began. The Indian National Army assembled and the Pakistani Army officially entered the conflict in May 1948. In the midst of the war, Lord Mountbatten flew to India on November 1, 1947, Mountbatten flew for Lahore for a conference with Jinnah, proposing that in all princely dominions, In states where the ruler has not acceded to a dominion corresponding to the majority population, accession should be decided by an "impartial reference to the will of the people.” Jinnah rejected the offer. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Prime Ministers Nehru and Liaquat Ali Khan met again in December when Nehru informed Khan of India's intention to refer the dispute to the United Nations under Article 35 of the Charter of the United Nations, which allows member states to bring to the attention of the Security Council situations “likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace”. Prime Ministers Nehru and Liaquat Ali Khan met again in December when Nehru informed Khan of India's intention to refer the dispute to the United Nations under Article 35 of the United Nations Charter, which allows Member States to bring to the attention of the Security Council situations “likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace."