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

A volume from the series Asia @ War. Most reports on the ongoing armed conflict in Jammu and Kashmir emphasise that the local uprising against the Indian authorities began in 1989. Very few address the causes, and even fewer discuss the background and context. Shadows in Paradise reveals the many layers of this bitter conflict: It explains the socio-economic and political changes in the situation, the causes of the unrest and how the complicated political interplay between India's Congress Party and National Conference Party contributed to the emergence of the crisis, as well as the local political dynamics and internal power struggles in Kashmir that further fuelled the fire. Going beyond the frequently cited timeline, this work uncovers the crucial developments that shaped the unrest and delves deep into the historical roots of the uprising in Kashmir, meticulously tracing the complex interplay of regional parties and internal conflicts within the Valley. Richly illustrated with original photographs and specially commissioned colour illustrations and maps, Shadows in Paradise offers a comprehensive, in-depth study that goes beyond conventional narratives to illuminate the deeper historical context, while also providing a detailed overview of terrorism in Kashmir.