¶ … Indian nationalism as a response to the British presence in India as of 1945, from the standpoint of your role in the game (i.e. from Maharaj)
"Outlining the reasons why democracy should not prevail in Kashmir" (quoted from your role sheet) 3. As Maharaja of Kashmir, you wish your territory to be left intact. You do not want a united and democratic India under the rule of the INC. Your paper needs to provide a principled defense of that objective.
Who Am I?
There are many, many reasons why I do not want democracy for Kashmir, but the logical way to approach this would be first to tell you something about myself and then to detail my reasons against democracy:
I was born on September 23, 1895 and am the great grandson of Maharaja Gulab Singh. I pride myself on possessing many of his values but at the same time am also Western-educated since I attended British schools as a teen. In these schools, I was taught all about the values and history of democracy and know well what it entails. In 1915, at age 20, my father appointed me to head the Kashmir military forces, and I ascended to the throne on September 25, 1925.
I know all about western morals and culture and, in fact, have established some good friends in the West. Britain, the mightiest Empire under the sun (perhaps with the exception of the U.S.A.) commended my personality in that Winston Churchill, renowned British prime minister, elevated me to the Imperial War Cabinet in 1944. Whilst some may consider it a superfluous position, it does reflect the British esteem of my outlook and character.
This alone should tell you that I am no mere autocratic didact of the pattern of some early Czar. On the contrary. I have weighty reasons for resisting democracy.
My philosophy?
I think Kashmir should be an independent state but one that is ruled by a strong, caring, courageous and dedicated ruler such as I. I think, too, that Kashmir should be allowed freedom of religion which each citizen choosing to practice that which he wishes. I myself am a proud Hindu although the majority of my people (more than three-fourth) are Muslim. Kashmir, I think, should be ruled by a Hindu prince since Akbar father of Kashmir (he conquered it in 1585) married Hinduism with Islamic principles, but citizens of Kashmir can practice what they wish. Akbar, himself, insisted that all religions share truth. He was tolerant and understanding; not bigoted. Most striking of all was the fact that Akbar was a Muslim to begin with. Nonetheless, realizing that Kashmir was Hindu and not wishing to disturb the city, and espousing equality of all religions. Akbar retained his non-dogmatic belief in Mohammad whilst accepting tenets of Hinduism.
Kashmir has had a bedraggled history of its own -- too complex to describe here. Suffice it to say that since 1846, we have been occupied by Britain and, although I have been granted a certain measure of autonomy, our country is obligated to defer to it on matters of foreign policy.
We have abstained from agitation between the Congress party and Great Britain -- we are a peace-living country - but more recently other things are beginning to concern us. Most worrisome of all is the fact that Muslim agitators are attempting to inspire our Muslim Citizens to rise against us and proclaim Kashmir a Muslim state. At the same time, organizers of the Congress party are pressuring me to endorse their movement and to align Kashmir to the national government of united India. They, in other words, want me to side with them in freeing Kashmir from British influence and to make it an independent Indian province.
I do not wish to create conflict for my people who have for so many years, at least recently, lived under the peace and protection of the British protectorate. That is another reason for not wishing to create a democracy. A democracy means that opinion is opened up to the masses and this potentially creates dissensions and conflict.
Up to date, Kashmir is the prototype of a liberal state. Religion does not play the same dominant driving part as it does for many of the Muslims, but then we believe in peace and try not to make it a ferocious part of our lives. Our attention is on our families and on being honest, hardworking, moral individuals. Our religions, to...
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