Book Review: The Untold Story of the People of Azad Kashmir Written by Christopher Snedden

Pakistan Journal of Social Sciences Review (PJSSR) ISSN (e) 2959-8052 (p) 2959-8044 1206 https://pjssr.com.pk/index.php/Journal/issue/archive | Khan 2025 |Page 1206 Book Review: The Untold Story of the People of Azad Kashmir Written by Christopher Snedden Dr Farooq Abdullah Lecturer, Department of Sociology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST) ORCID-0000-0002-9438-6893 farooq.a[email protected] DOI: https://doi.org/ Keywords INTRODUCTION Christopher Snedden is an Australian politico-strategic analyst, author, and academic specializing in South Asia. He is currently employed as a professor at the Asia-Pacific Centre for Security Studies in Honolulu, Hawaii. He authored the book The Untold Story of the People of Azad Kashmir, published by Oxford University Press (Pakistan) in 2011. In this book, Snedden reveals critical insights into the sensitive themes and complex realities of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), a region often overlooked in scholarly literature. While much has been written on the Kashmir dispute, Azad Jammu and Kashmir has remained largely unexplored by researchers, scholars, and academics. AJK, also known as Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PAK), gained autonomy in 1947 through a popular uprising in the Poonch region, which is now part of AJK. Snedden’s work comprehensively discusses how Azad Kashmir came into its present form and how it functions—politically, historically, economically, administratively, and socially. More importantly, he explores what the people of Azad Kashmir need. His book presents a novel and elucidative historical account, shedding light on the uncertain and often overlooked future of the nearly four million people residing in AJK. The book is divided into two main sections. The first section investigates the Poonch uprising in the region before its accession to India. Snedden argues that the Muslims of southwestern Jammu and Kashmir, facing the threat of annihilation by Dogra forces, initiated the Kashmir conflict. He links the uprising to the failure of the Raja of Poonch to manage his dynastic regime effectively, which he identifies as a major factor in the eventual split. While India has often blamed Pakistan for orchestrating the crisis by sending Pashtun tribesmen into the Kashmir Valley, Snedden challenges this narrative. Article History Received on 01 Oct 2025 Accepted on 25 Oct 2025 Published on 04 Nov 2025 Copyright @Author Corresponding Author: * Dr Farooq Abdullah Lecturer, Department of Sociology Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST) ORCID-0000-0002-9438-6893 farooq.a[email protected] Pakistan Journal of Social Sciences Review (PJSSR) ISSN (e) 2959-8052 (p) 2959-8044 1207 https://pjssr.com.pk/index.php/Journal/issue/archive | Khan 2025 |Page 1207 He asserts that the revolt in Poonch was an indigenous movement led by the local Muslim population who sought accession to Pakistan. Citing historical sources, Snedden contends that Nehru was privately aware that many of the so-called "tribesmen" were, in fact, exservicemen from Poonch who had previously served in British regiments. Over time, however, a dominant narrative emphasizing the role of Pashtun tribesmen took hold. The second section of the book focuses on the governance vacuum in Azad Kashmir from 1947 to 2010. Snedden critically examines Pakistan’s role in shaping every aspect of life in Azad Kashmir. He argues that although AJK was supposed to enjoy autonomy, Pakistan has maintained disproportionate control over its political, administrative, and economic structures. Snedden reveals how Azad Kashmir is politically and legally bound to Pakistan, which has ensured the region remains a disputed territory while simultaneously suppressing its self-governance. Initially, the people of Azad Kashmir believed that their provisional government was legitimate and that they would one day gain full control over all of Kashmir through UN-supervised plebiscite. However, with no plebiscite held to date, Azad Kashmir has, over the decades, become a de facto and subordinate region of Pakistan—dependent on and politically controlled by Islamabad. The book highlights that Pakistan’s strategic interests in Azad Kashmir remain paramount. It retains control over the region’s administration, natural resources, and especially its political structure. Snedden also explores the caste-based social system known as Biradari and its influence on politics in AJK and Islamabad. He asserts that Biradari plays a key role in political mobilization and is often exploited by political actors to tighten control and secure loyalty. Toward the end of the book, Snedden offers a proposal for resolving the broader Kashmir dispute. While his conclusion is thoughtful, he acknowledges certain shortcomings in his work. He notes that the treatment of Biradari networks could have been more detailed and that the book lacks sufficient maps to support its geopolitical analysis. Additionally, he points out that the interviews conducted with former political leaders could have been more deeply analysed, especially regarding their grievances about Pakistan’s policies toward Azad Kashmir. Despite these limitations, Snedden’s book addresses a critical gap in the literature— especially within Pakistan—where information on Azad Kashmir remains minimal. The book is a compelling and informative read, offering an in-depth and nuanced analysis of AJK’s political and historical context, much of which is rarely available in mainstream academic discourse. This work stands out as a much-needed scholarly contribution, offering invaluable insights into the events that have shaped the history and identity of Azad Kashmir. It challenges prevailing narratives and provides a platform for rethinking the region’s role in the broader Kashmir dispute. In conclusion, I argue that the people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve more attention from scholars, researchers, and academics. There is a pressing need for more extensive studies that explore the region’s cultural richness, historical complexities, and the root causes of its prolonged conflict. Christopher Snedden’s work is a foundational step in this direction, opening the door for further academic inquiry and policy reflection. Reference Snedden, C. (2012). The untold story of the people of Azad Kashmir. Oxford University Press, Pakistan.