Kashmukash

Book Review

Reviewer: Shaykh Mohsin
Book Name: Kashmukash
Author: Chowdhary Ghulam Abaas
Genre: Non-Fiction / Political History
Publisher: Kashmir Studies Foundation

Pages: 97
Price: n/a
ISBN: n/a

The book 'Kashmukash (Struggle)' is an autobiography of one of the great sons of the soil and the pioneer of the modern political movement of Kashmir, Chowdhary Ghulam Abbaas. The book holds a number of dimensions in itself. The author begins the book with fascinating and nostalgic movements of his childhood, in which the natural instinct of a man and his gradual development has been discoursed with due proficiency.

The book is abound of startling revelations, thrilling adventures and astounding events. Sound grasp on world with deep meanings and the mellifluous pattern of writing bewitches the heart and mind of a reader, and it demands core-concentration. By noting down this piece, the author has not only enlightened the future course but also has done a favor on the Urdu literature on Kashmir.

The book comprising of Twenty Six chapters is refulgent of many important chronicles. The contours of political conditions in J&K have been circumstantially elucidated along with individual experiences of the writer. It is pertinent to mention that the autobiography revolves around October 1946 merely, surrounds his 25 long years’ diligence notwithstanding, and is a valuable source on history of Kashmir. Moreover, the author is not only an eye witness to all events and tragedies that took place in mid-twenties but also as a leader of nation survived all these odds.

The most significant part of the book is that where author writes about, how Muslim conference was converted into National Conference to pave the way for Indian nationalism.

Atrocities of Dogra rule, helplessness of Kashmiris, great tragedy of 1931, Glancy commission, from Young men association to Muslim League, Sheikh Abdullah and his nationalism, toilsomeness of author during his jail-term, awakening of Muslims, and like wise many other significant events have been included in the book. Individually, P. N. Bazaz, Mirwaiz Yousuf Shah, Ian Glancy, Gopal swami ayangar, Qaid-e-Azam, Sir B.N.Rao, Raja hari Krishan Koul and all such important personalities have been discussed in a very lucid manner who have ever been part of politics of the state.

The events and good-riddance’s detailed in the book, do not seem revolving out of the orbit of author’s existence, nevertheless, it can be termed as a masterpiece for reading the personal and political life of an individual, but after reading it. Reader will accumulate a good share of historical, economic and political perspective of J&K.

The most significant part of the book is that where author writes about, how Muslim conference was converted into National Conference to pave the way for Indian nationalism. The book addresses all. Being deprived of its reading is tantamount to being deprived of guidance of a great statesman. It instills the spirit of perseverance, hope and political acumen in its reader. I highly recommend this to the students. Even I advise academicians to revisit their thought to consider it for introducing in curriculum of Colleges and Universities.

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