Shadows in Paradise Volume 1: Kashmir, Politics and Insurgency, 1965-1989

Shadows in Paradise Volume 1: Kashmir, Politics and Insurgency, 1965-1989


The majority of accounts about the ongoing armed conflict in Jammu and Kashmir stress that the local insurgency against the Indian authorities began in 1989. Very few discuss the seeds, and even fewer the background and the context. Shadows in Paradise peels back the multiple layers of this bitter conflict: explaining the socio-economic and political shifts in the situation; the causes of the turmoil; and how the intricate political dance between the Congress and the National Conference Parties of India contributed to the unfolding crisis, and the local, Kashmiri political dynamics and internal power struggles that fuelled the fire. By going beyond the commonly cited timeline to uncover the critical developments that have shaped the turbulence, this ground-breaking work delves deep into the historical roots of the Kashmir insurgency, meticulously tracing the complex interplay of regional parties and internal conflicts within the 'Valley'. Richly illustrated with original photographs and custom-drawn colour illustrations and maps, Shadows in Paradise provides a comprehensive, in-depth study that transcends conventional narratives and illuminates the deeper historical context, while providing a detailed account of terrorism in Kashmir. As such, it is an indispensable source of references for professionals and enthusiasts alike. 34 b/w photos, 9 colour profiles, 3 colour maps