Kashmir Profiles

Book Review

Reviewer: Irfan Tramboo | Waseem Raja

Author: Dr. Sheikh Showkat Hussain

Publisher: Kashmir Institute

Pages: 159

Price: 130/- INR
ISBN: n/a

Genre: Non-fiction | History

The book is an introduction of few personalities who have influenced Kashmir and its people positively or negatively at crucial times of its history. Apart from some known individuals, the book also tries to project several unknown and unheard faces who despite their unpopularity have remained crucial in shaping various facets of tumultuous history of Kashmir.

With certain qualities, the book has got certain flaws as well. The author has stepped outside his domain at certain points. As the title suggests, the book has to provide a brief account of the personalities listed. And the content has to be verified through sources. To some extent, the author seems to have done justice to the theme, but the subjective opinions of the author have also crept in at certain points.

Starting with Syed Ali Hamadani (r.a), the author while highlighting how this great soul resurrected the ruined society of Kashmir writes that his contribution in social, religious, political and economic field is unparalleled in the history of Kashmir. The author maintains that Syed Ali Hamadani (r.a) always confronted the rulers and tried to reform them according to teachings of Islam but those who have ‘Monopolized’ his mission nowadays, are unfortunately, the puppets of rulers. Instead of becoming instrumental in change, they often justify the Status Quo.

The author has stepped outside his domain at certain points. To some extent, the author seems to have done justice to the theme, but the subjective opinions of the author have also crept in at certain points.

Calling Sheikh Noor-u-Din Wali (r.a) Flag bearer of Islam, the author pays him glowing tributes. He writes that Sheikh-Ul-Alam (r.a) was not only a saint but one who identified himself with masses. The author also highlights his visionary poetry. However, the author laments that his great personality has been distorted after annexation of Kashmir to India. He is projected as a Syncretic Sufi, as a hybrid of Hindu and Muslim theology. But this perception, most of the times propagated by the various instruments of the state, has no roots in the history and teaching of Sheikh Ul Alam (r.a).

The book also mentions the positive role of Mughals in Kashmir. The author emphasizes that Mughals had been invited by Sheikh Yaqub Sarfi (r.a), since CHAK misrule and oppression was common (like in contemporary times) in Kashmir. Sectarian quarrels and highhandedness was order of the day. Chak era was an era of political corruption and social oppression but as per author, Mughals rescued Kashmir from Chak despotism.

On Mirwaiz Muhammad Yousuf Shah (r.a), the author writes that he had committed a historical mistake out of his simplicity by accepting the pension from Maharaja Hari Singh which hurt his image among the masses. Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah exploited this mistake to his advantage. But by vociferously opposing the conversion of Muslim Confrence into National Confrence & accession of Kashmir to India, Mirwaiz Yousuf Shah (r.a) played a historical role and in a way laid the foundation of the present freedom struggle in Kashmir.

Choudhary Ghulam Abbas’s personality depicts only one thing and that is his character. Abbas came from a middle class Gujjar family, completed L.L.B degree from Punjab University. On coming back to Jammu he joined the Bar and was subsequently offered position of the judge. He however declined the offer for the fear that the office might become an impediment in the way of his working for the oppressed. Despite his great sacrifices for Kashmir, Kashmiri people do not recognize and remember this great leader only because he being a non-native to Kashmir.

As far the Sheikh Abdullah is concerned, the author does not shy away from calling him the most disputed personality in the history of Kashmir—Charismatic, unparalleled, but the most odious leader. In his political career, economic policies remained the only positive point for masses. Prior to his ascendance to power, state economy was hostage to Brahman interests. He reoriented it towards elevation of Kashmiri masses.

There seems to be an internal deep rooted bias in the author’s perception. He downplays the role played by the resistance leadership, except Sayed Ali Geelani. He out of blue questions the credibility and the capability of other main players in the resistance camp.

Personalities like Prem Nath Bazaz and Pandit Ram Chandra Kak proved to be non- conventional in the History of Kashmir. According to author, it is difficult to stand against one’s own community and take a position on the basis of dictates of one’s conscience rather than wicked comforts. Few individuals could do that and these two were among such noble beings.

Lesser known Agha Shaukat Ali, Jehangir Khan and Nadeem Khateeb are also discussed in the book who according to author are unparalleled and unmatchable characters. Their personalities depict character, commitment and devotion to a cause. They are real unsung heroes of Kashmir history. They got life changing opportunities to build their careers, but they discarded it along with all luxuries. They listened to their conscience only and served the oppressed nation of Kashmir.

At last the author has mentioned the idealist, as he calls him: Sayed Ali Shah Geelani. He has been projected as the Krishna of the Mahabharata, who is still waiting for Arjun. The writer deeply analyzes the personality of S.A. Geelani and compares him with the Old Man from the famous novel: Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemmingway. And has been termed as the only young man among the secessionist leaders of Kashmir.

There seems to be an internal deep rooted bias in the author’s perception. He downplays the role played by the resistance leadership, except Sayed Ali Geelani. He out of blue questions the credibility and the capability of other main players in the resistance camp. He criticizes those who follow Ghandhian principles and those who at some point of time gave a second thought to Musharaf’s four point formula. The book was not the right place to do so. It seems that the author has camouflaged his intentions of criticizing and ridiculing others under the title of this book. The book seems more aimed towards countering certain elements rather than opening certain doors of forgotten history.

This last Chapter of the book can be treated as an opinion piece written deep down from the heart by the author. It has got no sources to validate whatever has been written, and can be treated as a symbol of Tremendous Reverence of the author towards Sayed Ali Geelani. It is not necessary that the reader will agree on whatever has been said in the chapter. I don’t think that this chapter was even necessary for the book. Sayed Ali Geelani is yet to become history. He surely has put his mark on the tormented history of this land, but as of now, this chapter could have waited.

Apart from this, there are certain formatting issues with the book. There are more than two fonts in the book. There is no symmetry in the titles. The titles of certain chapters are written in bold letter while some are not. There are end notes on certain chapters, but others have got the sources section at the end of the chapters. There is no symmetry in that as well. With such grave mistakes visible on the book, it is not presentable to the foreign audience or to those who live in India. They may say that “look, they are out to document their unheard history, they even don’t know what formatting a book means.” That moment will surely be an embarrassment for us and for those noble souls whose portrayal was said to be the aim of this book.

One can agree or disagree with author’s opinion, but the book was not the right place to express any opinion. This book nevertheless is an important addition to the already available scarce material on genuine history of Kashmir, but subjectivity of the author has dwarfed its importance.

About The Reviewers: