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Courtesy PBS's NewsHour
August 15, 1947: India and Pakistan are granted independence
from Britain. According to the Indian Independence Act of 1947,
Kashmir could remain independent or choose to join India or Pakistan.
The leader of Kashmir, The Maharaja, Hari Singh, opts to remain
independent. (Read
the Indian Independence Act)
October 27, 1947: A few months later, the Maharaja signs
an agreement to join with India, giving key powers to the Indian
government in exchange for Indian military support.
January, 1948: The first India-Pakistan War over the Kashmir
begins. Pakistan is angry that the predominantly Muslim territory
has opted to join with India.
Early 1949: After a year of fighting, the two nations agree
to the "Line of Control" dividing up Kashmir. India retains
the area to the south and east, Pakistan the areas north and west.
The Indian-controlled area of Kashmir has roughly 3 times as many
people as the Pakistan-controlled area. The cease-fire also calls
for the Kashmiri people to vote on their own future in a referendum.
That referendum has still yet to be held.
1962: China wins a portion of eastern Kashmir in a war with
India. China continues to hold that piece today.
August, 1965: The second war between India and Pakistan
over Kashmir erupts. A cease-fire in which both sides agree to stick
to the Line of Control ends the conflict.
1971: Fighting once again breaks out between India and Pakistan
over Kashmir. The conflict ends in 1972 with the current Line of
Control being agreed to by both sides in the Simla Agreement. (Read
the Simla Agreement)
1989: Muslim separatists groups begin to take root
and become a force in Kashmir. These groups seek to join Kashmir
with Pakistan or create an independent state. Both India and Pakistan
have rejected the idea of an independent Kashmir.
1990: Fighting between militants and Indian forces nearly
leads to war between India and Pakistan. U.S. intelligence reports
say both sides were preparing to use their nuclear weapons if necessary.
December 13, 2001: Armed separatist militants storm India's
Parliament, killing several police officers as well as themselves.
The attack has once again raised tensions between India and Pakistan.
(Click to hear a discussion of
the current tensions on "Special Coverage")
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