Vital historical documents on J&K State

O P Sharma
Name of the Book : 100 Documents :
A Reference Book
Author: Prof. Kul Bushan Mohotra
Publisher: BJP, Library & Documentation ,
Deptt,Trikuta Nagar, Jammu.
Pages : 725
Price: Rs.995

This well produced 725 pages book entitled: “100 Documents : A Refrence Book” by Prof. Kul Bhushan Mohotra gives great compilation of the pre Independence and post-Independence historical happenings in the State of Jammu & Kashmir. Events of the history mentioned in this book are backed by historical documents and account.
The title “100 Documents” is apt, reflecting the documentary pieces of evidence of the most crucial events that unfolded in the history of this border sensitive State. Many pertinent questions have been raised and also answered with objective historical facts. The book captures the pre-independence history of the State and what went wrong in 1947 before the J&K State acceded with India. The aftermath of the State’s accession, Sheikh Regime, Delhi Agreement, Praja Parishad agitation, the martyrdom of Dr. Shyama Prasad Mookherjee and their ramifications have been lucidly covered and backed by documentary pieces of evidence.
The dark phase of militancy that has engulfed the sensitive State since the late 1980s has been covered in detail.
This book contains 102 valuable documents and 13 appendix and all are devoted to factual historical events. Few very important of them are as under:
Chapter DOGRA regime is a compilation of history of Jammu & Kasmir , Maharaj Gulab Singh to Maharaja Hari Singh and their achievements, glorious past of Dogra Land, comprising Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh as also Gilgit, Balistan.
Detailed thoughts and literature on pre-Independence and post-Independence of Dogra regime, long sufferings due to administration led by Sheikh Abdullah and narration of sacrifices by the people under banner of Praja Parishad agitation also reflects lights on martyrdom of Dr.Shayama Prashad Mookherjee and statement by Pt. Prem Nath Dogra at a press conference in Delhi on February 13, 1959.
DEBATES
On December 8, 1989 Rubaiya Sayeed daughter of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, the then Union Home Minister in the V. P. Singh Government, was kidnapped by JKLF. They were demanding release of five militants in exchange for Rubaiya’s release.The story is well told in the book.
Fundamentalism
The Proxy War launched by Pakistan against India indicates to what an extent the destruction has caused in the on-going “undeclared war’’ so far from 1988 to 2016.
It is worth mentioning that the later turn of events with terrorism in J&K State ignited and instigated from across the border have also been touched. Now people have seen through the dirty game plan of enemy of the nation.
Other information
In the course of history, many politico-social developments took place in this part of the country but now a fresh breeze of calm and faster march ahead is blowing. The author has undertaken challenging task in collecting the authentic documents, rare photographs and has done a research work. The author of this book as well as the publisher deserves a good word for their service in putting the facts in true historical perspective for the common masses.
This book contains historical, political, legal and other social aspects which appear to be the best piece of literary art, a substantial contribution of the writer for the benefit of the society, in particular, the young generation.
The writer Prof Kul Bushan Mahotra seems to have worked really very hard in collecting authentic material to highlight various features of political interests, has also made his original contribution in expressing his mature historical and political account. I am sure not only young generation, particularly the students but even the politicians will surely derive maximum benefit from this while steering their social activities towards establishing the rule of law, which is very much needed at present juncture of our times in view of the tremendous changes that have taken place in the country and more particularly in Jammu- Kashmir and Ladakh.
The author has endeavoured in this book to completely objectively analyse the historical documents and writings on various developments in J&K from past to present. It is ardently believed that this book can be a good Reference Book for generations to come who will get a deep insight about the Jammu and Kashmir. Historians, other academicians, politicians and all those who follow history must read this valueable book.
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