NewzVille Desk
Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation, Amit Shah, presided over as the chief guest in a book release function on 02 January 2025 in New Delhi. Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan was the Guest of Honour. Eminent authors, academicians, officials of the Ministry and other dignitaries were also present at the event.
The book, titled ‘Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh: Through the Ages’ presents the story of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh. It is a documentation of the story of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh from a perspective and format that enables an overview for both the subject specialist and those less conversant.
It is presented in seven sections that cover over three thousand years of the region’s history. Each illustration selected for inclusion has been done with care, being representative of an age, its importance and contribution to the larger historical canvas of Indian history.
HM Shah said that there was a myth that India was never united and the idea of independence for this country was meaningless — a misconception that many had come to accept as truth. While for most of the countries geo-politics have defined their boundaries, India’s case is unique where this nation has been defined by its geo-cultural expanse, and whose borders are made up of from cultural unity. India’s essence lies in its geo-cultural identity, with its cultural fabric binding the nation from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Bengal to Gujarat. Interpreting India solely as a geo-political entity overlooks its true nature. Instead, a deep understanding of India requires viewing it through the lens of its geo-cultural identity.
He stressed the importance of historical research and academic institutions in promoting this perspective to the world, as it is crucial to understanding the elements that culturally unify the country.
He urged historians to confidently document India’s history using evidence, facts, and the perspective of its rich, millennia-old culture, and to present it to the world with pride.
Shah highlighted that Kashmir and Ladakh have historically served as centres of civilization, fostering creation, preservation, and cultural promotion. Numerous examples of this rich legacy are detailed in the book. He noted that Kashmir has always been a land of inclusivity, embracing and nurturing diverse faiths. Whether it is Buddhism, Sufism, or Shaivism, each tradition has found the freedom to thrive on Kashmiri soil. Shri Shah also pointed out that Kashmir is often referred to as the land of Kashyap, underscoring its historical and spiritual significance.
The Home Minister remarked that the relationship between Kashmir, Ladakh, Shaivism, and Buddhism has been eloquently captured in this book and exhibition. He commended the documentation of scripts, knowledge systems, spirituality, culture, and languages, emphasizing the meticulous effort that went into presenting this rich heritage. The book vividly chronicles the journey of Buddhism—from Nepal to Bihar via Kashi, and onward to Afghanistan through Kashmir.
He highlighted that Kashmir was the birthplace of the refined principles of Buddhism that emerged after Lord Buddha, as well as the foundation for many of the teachings that shape modern Buddhism. The book also features sculptures from Drass and Ladakh, discussions and images of stupas, depictions of temple ruins destroyed by invaders, and references to the use of Sanskrit in Jammu and Kashmir, as described in Rajatarangini. Covering Kashmir’s 8,000-year history, he likened this comprehensive effort to encapsulating the sacred Ganga within a vessel.
The Home Minister reflected on the vast and, at times, challenging nature of history. He noted that for 150 years, some people’s understanding of history was confined to narrow geographies—from Dariba to Ballimaran or Lutyens to Gymkhana. He stressed that history cannot be written from a distance but requires engaging directly with the people and understanding their lived experiences.
The book is Published in both Hindi and English. This book is the result of collaborative efforts of the National Book Trust, India, and the Indian Council of Historical Research.
