Kashmir: Seeds of Conflict and the Role of Lord Mountbatten

Abstract

The unresolved dispute over Kashmir between India and Pakistan continues driving regional instability and complicating diplomatic relations in South Asia. It transcends territorial dimensions onto water security, hybrid strategies and national identities. Kashmir conflict has attained a life of its own and its origins can be traced back to the creation of both countries in 1947. This article is aimed at understanding what was the role of last Viceroy of India Lord Mountbatten in the Kashmir crisis and why he acquiesced to the conflict? The study is based on the recollections of the individuals who played a part in the crisis when it was brewing, historical records and the work of historians and analysts who have written about it extensively. Study concludes that the role of Lord Mountbatten in the integration of princely states, during the concluding months of British rule in India, remained controversial - as he showed apparent favouritism towards India in several contested cases. Especially, in Kashmir where his approach was different than from other princely state cases, casting shadow on his neutrality. The rushed nature of the transfer of power and unresolved territorial issues particularly of Kashmir created enduring problems between India and Pakistan that continue to shape geopolitics of the South Asia till today.