This is the third book on J&K by Christopher Snedden, an Australian political scientist. The earlier two were The Untold Story of the People of Azad Kashmir (2012) and Understanding Kashmir and Kashmiris (2017). He now returns to the theme to explore why the concept of an independent Kashmir ‘remains incomplete’. This book was originally published in 2021; the Indian edition is of 2025.
Snedden says he was motivated to write this book to investigate the concept of an independent J&K as suggested in 1947-48; understand the Kashmiri identity and centrality; and understand what exactly azadi means to them—integration with India, Pakistan, or independence. In seven chapters, he elaborates on the options opened up by the decolonization process; Maharaja Hari Singh’s persona and actions; territoriality, identity and nationalism of the Kashmiris; the rise of Sheikh Abdullah as a major political figure; his sway and downfall; the Sheikh’s wavering political postures; and finally, the post-1988 developments and their implications for azadi.