A poignant story of a ravaged state, and lessons that lie unlearnt, Kashmir is a testament to the enduring power of resilience in the face of darkness
There are lessons to be learned from history, but not every lesson is a closure. Kashmir by Manreet Sodhi Someshwar might be the last book of her Partition trilogy, but there is still turbulence in paradise. The unrest lingers, despite the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019.
Historical fiction is a painfully tedious task, involving depth of ideas and even deeper dig into history. The three books, Lahore, Hyderabad, Kashmir, were in the making for almost 20 years before they became paperback stories that reached readers.
The three books were conceived as Someshwar, brought up in the border town of Ferozepur in Punjab, was surrounded by tales of Partition, probably one of the most traumatic times in the history of India. Then she witnessed the 1984 Sikh riots and the stories became larger than life. She explored the idea of writing stories about the tumultuous princely states that did not willingly wish to be a part of independent India. The rulers wanted to retain their kingdoms. Her stories came to life during COVID-19.
Kashmir, once an important trade route between India and Pakistan, is more than just a heavenly valley. The Kashmir, Someshwar talks about was as diverse as any state in India is even now. Kashmir then was a paradox with a large Muslim population under a Dogra King, with Jammu being a Hindu majority. Then there were Gilgit–Baltistan (disputed territory in Pakistan-administered Kashmir now) and Buddhist Ladakh. After the abrogation, Ladakh has been declared a Union Territory, and Jammu wants a separate statehood.
Someshwar’s story takes the reader through the decisions and the indecisions that marked the Partition of 1947. It reimagines the conversations amid those who coveted the state and those who fought for power.
To put the making of the book in the author’s own words, quoting from her instagram post, “The story has three aspects: aam aadmi and aurat, front and centre.” For understanding, the decisions taken by the government at the Centre have the maximum impact on the state and its citizens.
Stories of war have never been easy reads and this one isn’t either. It touches upon treachery, love, losses, ideologies and most of all power play. It also reveals many facets of history, some which the author discovered during her research at the New York Public Library, where she got more access to the archives.
For Gen Z, Kashmir is a strife-torn valley, whose people ignite curiosity, sometimes compassion, but the past that shaped this beautiful Himalayan corner lies clouded in mystery. Someshwar’s book is a journey to that past, to the circumstances that shaped or reshaped the valley. Her tale is fiction, but her storytelling compelling. It talks about an unhappy state of affairs before the Partition, the taxes that began the unrest, the religious divide that lay deep beneath the layers, the traditional ways of society and the insecurities of the poor and the peaceful.
The story revolves around civil unrest, where the king, queen and subjects are at odds. Their ideas and ideologies differ with the only thing keeping them together is the land, paradise torn apart over man’s greed.
Some of her characters are historical figures, those who made the decisions—politicians and people who played with power. But on the other hand, were commoners, men and women, whose lives were destroyed in the process of these decisions. The women and children play an important part in Someshwar’s story.
Young Zuni’s journey will leave you heartbroken. I have seen Kashmir over five decades and I could imagine a Zuni even now, as the sound of guns echo through the valley. The character is based on a real Zuni, the first woman sniper who helped the Indian Army in the first Indo-Pak war.
Kashmir is a heart wrenching read, a utopian kingdom that was struggling for its identity even before 1947. Maybe, like humans, beautiful places too need a nazar battu (protection from evil eye).
Book Details
Publisher: HarperCollins India
Language: English
Paperback: 328 pages
Price: INR 499 (Kindle edition available)
This review is powered by Blogchatter Book Review Program
This post is part of the Bookish League blog hop hosted by Bohemian Bibliophile
Queen of Treasures 
I haven’t read any of these though I’ve watched Kashmir files and got a gist. I probably must read this triology to know more about what the unrest if all about and if it is really worth all the damage caused.
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I liked the author’s Hyderabad. I’m sure this will be good too.
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I enjoyed first 2 books. I hope to get this soon. Great review!
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I have yet to read the first two books, but am going to read them.
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Wow!! The third one is released. I read Lahore and Hyderabad books of the series. And absolutely in love with writing style and exceptional research by the author
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I have a newfound love for historical fiction. They make history, and difficult portions of history so much more accessible.
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It truly is a difficult piece of writing!
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I haven’t read any of the books of her Trilogy but there is no doubt she is a gifted writer and the pieces have been written with a lot of ethos and factual correctness. The only reason I will be skipping these despite your great review is because I am a history buff and having read a lot of books on partition, the human story is very painful. But I am noting this as a recommendation.
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I haven’t heard of this author, but gosh that cover! I can feel the weight of this read just through your review. You’ve done such a great job on highlighting the tenor of the book!
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I’ve read very less historical fiction TBH but this one and the way you talk about it has piqued my interest. I love how you say, “Maybe, like humans, beautiful places too need a nazar battu (protection from evil eye)”
That’s holds so true for places like Kashmir, which have so much to offer, but their potential is caged by human interventions, over and over again,
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Manreet Sodhi is one of my favourite authors. Her Radiance Of A Thousand Suns is a book that I recommend to everyone.
The Partition series is certainly a labour of love for her. She has poured her heart and soul in these three books. I have the first two books, Lahore and Hyderabad. Kashmir is on the horizon too, just waiting to get my hands on a physical book ( don’t want to read the ebook)
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Zuni is such a pretty name. I would love to read her story. I am partial to historical fiction provided it is written well and has a good balance of fact and fiction. I find it rather sad that even after partition we have continued to struggle with strife in so many of our states.
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I was desperately looking for the copy of this book because I read one book titled Half Widow on Kashmir backdrop by Shafi Ahmad which I loved and so again when I saw a book On Kashmir I was keen to read but not lucky and didnt get the book. No worries I will gift a copy to myself . By the way again a well penned review Ambica.
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Stories of wars are heavy reads
Be prepared for that.
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I had read Hyderabad and really liked Manreet Sodhi Someshwar’s writing style and the research that went into it. I was actually waiting for the third part…so glad that you put across this review, will surely get it at the soonest.
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Stories that stand out are those which have realistic characters and I am sure this book has one I think the partition decision did affect the people more than the decision-makers. Nice review dear.
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I have heard all the three books in the trilogy have been researched over years and it shows in the author’s writing and your review as well. Thanks for sharing this review.
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What a heart-wrenching review, Ambica! I’m torn and I’m in awe. Only because of your review, I’ll be reading this series this year.
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Your poignant reflection on Manreet Sodhi Someshwar’s book, “Kashmir,” skillfully captures the essence of the narrative, blending historical context with personal observations and insights. Your commentary is both insightful and evocative, offering readers a glimpse into the complexities of the region and the enduring impact of historical events.
You effectively convey the intricate process of creating historical fiction, acknowledging the author’s meticulous approach in weaving together tales from the Partition era and the princely states. Your emphasis on the diverse cultural and religious tapestry of Kashmir adds depth to the narrative, highlighting its multifaceted nature.
The incorporation of the author’s own words, particularly from her Instagram post, provides readers with a direct connection to the storyteller’s perspective. By quoting her, you bring forth the narrative’s central focus on the common people and their experiences amid the political upheavals.
Your exploration of the characters, both historical figures and commoners, underscores the novel’s rich portrayal of various perspectives. The mention of Zuni, based on a real-life woman sniper, adds a personal touch to the review, creating a connection between the fictional narrative and the harsh realities faced by individuals in Kashmir.
The metaphorical use of “nazar battu” to describe the struggles for identity and the need for protection adds a cultural layer to your commentary, enhancing the reader’s understanding of the emotional landscape painted by Someshwar.
In essence, your comment serves as a compelling invitation to delve into the complexities and emotional depth of “Kashmir,” making it a thoughtful and engaging review. 👏📖
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Lovely review!
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I am waiting to pick up the book. Have read Lahore and Hyderabad and both were so good. There is so much written about the politics of it all but not as much about the people that were affected. While I do feel partition is now being romanticized by most authors, Manreet cuts through the clutter.
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