An account of the first Indo-Pak War (1947-1948)

When the British relinquished their control over India, the 565 independent princely states were given the option to join either of the two nations-i,e. India or Pakistan. A few princely states among them were the Mirs of Hunza, Nagar and Kalat, readily joined Pakistan, but the rest, except Hyderabad (the largest of the princely states with 132,000 square kilometers and a population of more than 14 million), Jammu and Kashmir (with 3 million inhabitants), and Junagadh (with a …

…diplomatic campaign to undo the accession. The UN Security Council eventually brought about a cease-fire between Pakistani and Indian troops, which took place on January 1, 1949, thus ending the first Indo- Pakistani War, and directed that a plebiscite be held. The cease- fire agreement formalized the military status quo, leaving about 30 percent of Kashmir under Pakistani control. Bibliography *<Tab/>Onwar.com *<Tab/>Kashmir in conflict, by Victoria Schoffield