The conflict between India and Pakistan over Kashmir has not only blighted their relationship, destroyed the legendary tranquillity of the valley but has and is a major threat to world peace. It is not sufficiently realized that the roots of this unhappy set of circumstances lies in the history of Kashmir as a princely state. It was the only such entity of significance during the British period where a largely Muslim population was ruled by Hindu line of princes who were not generous or sympathetic in their attitudes. Relationships were strained between the British Raj and the Maharaja and between him and his subjects from the first, but they exploded into violence in the years of developing nationalism after the First World War and particularly after partition.