ThePrint True integration of Kashmir has to be built on stone and steel, not soldiers and guns
Jun 15, 2025
The podcast dives into the historical struggle for better connectivity in Kashmir, focusing on ambitious infrastructure projects over the last century. It highlights the crucial role of roads and railways in connecting agricultural markets to industrial hubs. Discussions reveal how these developments have transformed trade and social dynamics in the region. Moreover, the impact of inadequate infrastructure on Kashmir's vulnerability during historical conflicts is explored, emphasizing that true integration relies on building connections, not just a military presence.
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Early Kashmir Rail Vision
- Forbes, Forbes, Campbell & Co. proposed an ambitious 150-km ropeway over Banihal to connect Kashmir to the plains.
- This early vision sought to link Kashmir's agricultural markets with India's industrial centers through iron and rock.
Engineering Reshapes Geography
- Geography isn't fixed; engineering can reshape it to build new economic and social relationships.
- Successive Indian leaders contributed to integrating Kashmir through infrastructure, culminating with recent rail achievements.
Kashmir's Shifting Trade Routes
- Kashmir's historic trade was Central Asia-focused before shifting towards Punjab after Mughal invasion.
- Afghan rule collapsed this trade, but Dogra rule evolved Kashmir's ties with plains markets.