Tag Archives: Pandit

New book: Ladakh and the Kashmir Valley

About the book:

“An exhilarating Himalayan journey: a mélange of personal experiences, geology, ancient histories, trade routes, the great flood, conflicting religions, politics, and militancy in one of the most volatile parts of the world, leading to the brink of war.”

It is relevant now due to the current lockdown in Kashmir and the dangerous standoff between India and Pakistan.

The eminent historian John Keay has written the Prologue and has sent me this encouraging comment: “Congratulations; this is a serious book, beautifully produced and full of bold insights. I shall treasure it, so professional.”

The book is now available online. It can only be obtained from this website (not Amazon, Waterstones etc.). Copies cost £25.00 plus £3.70 shipping via PayPal – UK only.

Local collection by hand (from Reading) can be arranged.

228 pages beautifully printed on fine art paper. The text is supplemented by many b/w photographs by the author.

If you wish to buy a copy from outside the UK please go to GET IN TOUCH on the Menu bar and leave your contact details. They are safe. PayPal produces an invoice for payment; it’s quick and simple.

For updates please go to the NEWS AND COMMENT blog – below the logo on the Menu bar

Kashmir – The Pandit Questions

Recently I took part in a Q and A discussion with Vinayak Razdan, a writer and game developer based in Kochi. We had met last year travelling in Kashmir and talked about his homeland, the effect of the militancy, that started in 1989/90 on Kashmiri Muslims who fled and Kashmiri Pandits (KPs) who were forced out of the Valley, the Indian Army, Pakistan, and the many issues that still face the troubled State of Jammu and Kashmir.

Last Saturday 21st May the Economic & Political Weekly published one of our conversations, which follows the pronouncement by PM Narendra Modi of his wish to establish three colonies so that Kashmiri Pandits can return to the Valley. The article is titled ‘The Pandit Questions‘ – please click on the highlight to read the article.