Sample question: Examine a region you have studied which has been affected by boundary changes over

time

The Kashmir Region

A violent clash of cultures after British India broke up and new political boundaries were drawn up

3 Independent States India-Pakistan-Bangladesh (Boundary Changes)

The Kashmir region still has tremendous conflict over 60 years later – India and Pakistan have fought 3 wars to try and settle their claims to the disputed region

All of the Indian states in 1947 after gaining independence from Britain had to choose whether to form part of Pakistan which was predominantly muslim or India which was mainly Hindu

The Kashmir region had a minority Hindu population (25%) and a majority muslim population (75%)

Kashmir – Boundaries changing over time

Hindus looked to India for support while the Muslims looked to Pakistan for support

Almost immediately after independence a war broke out between the two newly formed states

Many civilians were killed and large numbers fled from areas where they were the minority religion – This meant specific areas became almost exclusively Muslim or Hindi

The United Nations intervened to restore peace and come up with a solution – A ceasefire Line called The Line of Control -

This was intended to be a temporary solution but it has remained in place as a dividing lie between the two cultures

Kashmir – Boundaries Changing Over Time

India now controls aprx. 80% of the Kashmir population including large numbers of Muslims who are not happy with the situation

Pakistan does not accept this situation and neither does the Muslim population in India Kashmir

Pakistan wants to integrate Kashmir into Pakistan

The Indus river and some of its main tributaries are sourced in India Kashmir and Pakistan wants to get control over this vital water source for irrigation and industrial development

Islamic Fundamentalism has increased in the region and has increased the amount of conflict in the region

Kashmir – Boundaries Changing Over Time

India and Pakistan have Nuclear capabilities and the situation is extremely dangerous – Nuclear hostilities almost commenced on a number of occasions in the past ten years

Kashmir can be described as the most dangerous place on Earth – Bill Clinton 1998

Kashmir is a great example of political boundaries changing over time – Influenced by Britain/India/Pakistan/China/United Nations

It also shows us the destructive nature of cultural/Religious conflict and the quest for control over important natural resources (water)