A New Chapter in Kashmir’s History: Amit Shah Calls for a Reinterpretation of Kashmir’s Past and Culture
New Delhi: January 2, 2025
On Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the book “Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh: Through the Ages” at Dr. Ambedkar International Center in Delhi, shedding new light on Kashmir’s ancient history and cultural roots. During the launch, Shah made a bold statement, suggesting that the region’s name could have been derived from the sage Kashyap, urging historians to revisit and rewrite Kashmir’s history based on factual evidence.
“For over 150 years, history was largely confined to Delhi, from Dariba to Ballimaran and from Lutyens’ Delhi to the Jangpura area,” Shah said. “It is time we free our history from the narratives written to please the rulers. I urge historians to look back at our thousand-year-old history and tell the truth.”
Shah expressed his discontent with the historical narrative constructed by historians over the past century. He appealed to scholars to write history based on solid facts rather than narratives designed to appease rulers of the time.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the book “Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh: Through the Ages” at Dr. Ambedkar International Center in Delhi.
The Home Minister also highlighted the inseparable connection between Kashmir and India. According to Shah, the region has always been an integral part of the country, both historically and culturally. He pointed to references to Shankaracharya, the Silk Route, and the Hemish Math, all of which he believes prove that Kashmir is the foundation of India’s cultural heritage.
“Sufism, Buddhism, and the establishment of monasteries all contributed to Kashmir’s cultural development. This is the real history that must be presented to the people of India,” Shah emphasized.
Article 370 and its Legacy of Separatism
A significant portion of Shah’s speech focused on the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. He argued that these provisions had sown the seeds of separatism in the region, which later evolved into full-blown terrorism. Shah credited Prime Minister Modi for his firm resolve in revoking Article 370, which he believes has paved the way for the region’s development.
“Article 370 and 35A were the main obstacles in integrating Kashmir with the rest of India. By revoking them, PM Modi ensured that Kashmir’s development could begin,” Shah said. “These articles promoted separatism, which eventually spiraled into terrorism.”
He went on to challenge the Congress party, stating that they could level any accusations, but the facts were clear: Modi’s government had released an 80,000 crore rupee package to uplift the region. Shah stressed the uniqueness of India as a ‘geo-cultural’ country, unlike others whose borders are defined by political or military boundaries.
“India is the world’s only geo-cultural nation, where our boundaries are defined by culture, not geopolitics,” he said. “From Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Gandhar to Bengal, our cultural unity connects us beyond borders.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the book “Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh: Through the Ages” at Dr. Ambedkar International Center in Delhi.
The Role of History and Culture in Uniting India
Shah also appealed for a shift in how India’s history is understood. He urged historians to explore Kashmir and Ladakh not by who ruled over them, but by the deep cultural and historical bonds that have always tied these regions to India.
“Analyzing Kashmir and Ladakh based on rulers and treaties is futile,” Shah said. “Only historians with a narrow view would approach history this way. Our 10,000-year-old culture has been present in Kashmir, and no law or political power can ever sever that connection.”
He further emphasized that efforts to separate Kashmir from India had failed, as time and the flow of history had led to the abrogation of the provisions that once served to divide the region.
“No one can separate Kashmir from India, even with legal provisions. Attempts to do so were eventually undone, and all barriers were eliminated,” he added.
An 8,000-Year-Old Historical Narrative
The book, “Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh: Through the Ages,” presents an extensive analysis of Kashmir’s rich historical and cultural tapestry, spanning over 8,000 years. Shah pointed out that the ruins of ancient temples, Buddhist remnants, and Sanskrit traditions all testify to Kashmir’s integral role in India’s historical narrative.
“The region of Kashmir, which stretches from Nepal to Afghanistan, is an essential part of the Buddhist pilgrimage route. The ancient temples and their artifacts prove that Kashmir has always been an indelible part of India,” Shah remarked.
The book also covers significant historical periods, from Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s reign to the Dogra dynasty and the mistakes made post-1947, along with efforts to correct them.
Reviving Kashmir’s Linguistic Heritage
Shah also credited Prime Minister Modi for reviving the languages of Kashmir by elevating them to an official status following the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir into Union Territories.
जम्मू-कश्मीर भारत का अभिन्न अंग था, है और रहेगा। इसे कानून की कोई धारा नहीं बदल सकती और जिस धारा ने इसे बदलने का प्रयास किया, समय ने उस धारा को ही हटा दिया। pic.twitter.com/JpB3e112iR
“I would like to thank PM Modi for giving a new life to the languages of Kashmir. His insistence on giving importance to every language spoken in the region reflects how sensitive a leader can be toward the diverse linguistic heritage of our country,” Shah said.
In his concluding remarks, Amit Shah emphasized that the true history of Kashmir and Ladakh must be written in the light of facts, showcasing their unbroken cultural connection with India. This new work not only challenges historical misconceptions but also sets the stage for a more comprehensive understanding of the region’s historical significance.
