KASHMIR STORY......... A PERSPECTIVE
GILGIT, HUNZA, BALTISTAN.............
There existed independent states of Brooshaal, Dardistan, Bloristan, Hunza-Nagar, Yasen, Chilas, and Chitral. Among many other things what was common in all these states was that these territories were never permanent part of the Jammu & Kashmir Riyasat.
GILGIT, HUNZA, BALTISTAN.............
There existed independent states of Brooshaal, Dardistan, Bloristan, Hunza-Nagar, Yasen, Chilas, and Chitral. Among many other things what was common in all these states was that these territories were never permanent part of the Jammu & Kashmir Riyasat.
Before about 1842, local chieftains were the rulers of these small but
independent states who most of the time remained at loggerheads over
petty issues and sometimes many of them also sought help from neighborly
states. During one such skirmishes, the rulers of the Gilgit state
sought help from the Dogra rulers of Kashmir who came to their help.
At around early 1890s with the plan of curtailing the spread of Russia the British decided to strengthen its presence in the areas from Gilgit to Chitral. Hunza-Nagar in 1991-92, Chilas in 1892 and Chitral came under its occupation in 1895.
To further its footholds in the area, the British also set up the Gilgit Scouts. The local administration was also handed over to the army of the Maharaja of Kashmir by the British rulers. In 1935, the then British took Gilgit-Baltistan on a 60 year lease from the Maharaja at about 75,000 rupees.
With the announcement of Mountbatten plan on 3 July 1947, Gilgit was handed back to Maharaja of Kashmir by cancelling the 60 year lease. All British officers of Gilgit Scouts however decided that they will serve Pakistan. on 4 Nov 1947 Major William Brown, Commandant Gilgit Scouts raised the flag of Pakistan in Gilgit Garrison.
In his book, The Gilgit Rebellion, Major Brown writes, (eventuality of Maharaja acceding to India)
‘I, therefore, felt it was my duty, as the only Britisher left, to follow a course which would prevent this. And further, as a liberal member of the world’s paragon of democracy, I considered that the whole of Kashmir, including Gilgit Province, unquestionably go to Pakistan in view of the fact that the population was predominantly Muslim. Partisan, traitor, revolutionary, I may have been, but that evening my sentiments dictated that if the Maharaja acceded to India, then I would forego all the allegiance to him and I would not rest content until I had done the utmost in my power to ensure that not only the Gilgit Province joined Pakistan, but the whole of Kashmir also.’
Secession of Gilgit from J&K State of Maharaja was not an one off event. Major Brown was a mere pawn in the whole game. The strategic importance of Gilgit to counter USSR expansion was known since 1935, hence the 60 year lease. The British were convinced that Independent India will not allow espionage or war on USSR via Gilgit.
Handing back Gilgit to the Maharaja was just a sham. British had already decided that Gilgit will have to be part of Pakistan.
Major William Alexander Brown,MBE, role in securing the area for Pakistan was finally acknowledged by President Parvez Musharaf by bestowing posthumously the title Sitara-e-Pakistan in 1994.
At around early 1890s with the plan of curtailing the spread of Russia the British decided to strengthen its presence in the areas from Gilgit to Chitral. Hunza-Nagar in 1991-92, Chilas in 1892 and Chitral came under its occupation in 1895.
To further its footholds in the area, the British also set up the Gilgit Scouts. The local administration was also handed over to the army of the Maharaja of Kashmir by the British rulers. In 1935, the then British took Gilgit-Baltistan on a 60 year lease from the Maharaja at about 75,000 rupees.
With the announcement of Mountbatten plan on 3 July 1947, Gilgit was handed back to Maharaja of Kashmir by cancelling the 60 year lease. All British officers of Gilgit Scouts however decided that they will serve Pakistan. on 4 Nov 1947 Major William Brown, Commandant Gilgit Scouts raised the flag of Pakistan in Gilgit Garrison.
In his book, The Gilgit Rebellion, Major Brown writes, (eventuality of Maharaja acceding to India)
‘I, therefore, felt it was my duty, as the only Britisher left, to follow a course which would prevent this. And further, as a liberal member of the world’s paragon of democracy, I considered that the whole of Kashmir, including Gilgit Province, unquestionably go to Pakistan in view of the fact that the population was predominantly Muslim. Partisan, traitor, revolutionary, I may have been, but that evening my sentiments dictated that if the Maharaja acceded to India, then I would forego all the allegiance to him and I would not rest content until I had done the utmost in my power to ensure that not only the Gilgit Province joined Pakistan, but the whole of Kashmir also.’
Secession of Gilgit from J&K State of Maharaja was not an one off event. Major Brown was a mere pawn in the whole game. The strategic importance of Gilgit to counter USSR expansion was known since 1935, hence the 60 year lease. The British were convinced that Independent India will not allow espionage or war on USSR via Gilgit.
Handing back Gilgit to the Maharaja was just a sham. British had already decided that Gilgit will have to be part of Pakistan.
Major William Alexander Brown,MBE, role in securing the area for Pakistan was finally acknowledged by President Parvez Musharaf by bestowing posthumously the title Sitara-e-Pakistan in 1994.
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