REVEALING RECORDS

In his latest book, poet historian Khalid Bashir Ahmad has succeeded in deconstructing myths, mysteries, events, individuals and institutions that dominated the troubled twentieth century Kashmir, writes Khalid Bashir Gura

- Khalid Bashir Gura

Following the masterpieces that challenged the medieval myths, poet historian, Khalid Bashir Ahmad is back to lift the fog of façade behind narratives, events, and personalities with his rigorous research in his new book, Kashmir, Looking Back in Time: Politics, Culture, History that Atlantic published early this year.,

A riveting historical, the book through its lucid description supported by thorough research and indisputable sources including archival literature, published works, travelogues and eyewitness accounts help readers wade into Kashmir’s turbulent twentieth century. It helps understand the present through the recorded events, personalities, and watershed events. It debunks myths, dismembers cherished ideals and reconstructs history. The book starts with Sheikh Abdullah and ends with journalism in Kashmir. It is full of tectonic shifts in Kashmir’s power politics.

SHEIKH’S POLITICS

At a time when India was nearing its freedom from British Empire, a Kashmir teacher, Sheikh Abdullah, in 1930 plunged into politics then revolving around the basic rights of the people. His foray into politics was set by many macabre events in Kashmir. An eloquent speaker, Abdullah charmed his audience with the melodious recitation of verses from the Quran and couplets of Allama Iqbal soon formed an organization in 1932 named Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference which became a formidable force against the despotic ruler.