Routledge Handbook of Critical Kashmir Studies

The Routledge Handbook of Critical Kashmir Studies provides critical knowledge frameworks and perspectives to challenge colonial and postcolonial forms of governance and state building. It politicizes discourses of nationalism, patriotism, democracy, and liberalism and questions how these dominant globalist imaginaries and discourses serve institutionalized power, create hegemony, and normalize domination.

Format: Hardback
Length: 406 pages
Publication date: 05 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Routledge Handbook of Critical Kashmir Studies is a groundbreaking resource that presents emerging critical knowledge frameworks and perspectives that prioritize situated histories and resistance practices in challenging colonial and postcolonial forms of governance and state building. It delves into the politicization of discourses such as nationalism, patriotism, democracy, and liberalism, raising important questions about how these dominant globalist imaginaries and discourses serve to institutionalize power, establish hegemony, and normalize domination. By situating Critical Kashmir Studies scholarship within broader global scholarly conversations on nationalism, sovereignty, indigenous movements, human rights, and international law, the handbook fosters a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics and complexities of the region.

The handbook is meticulously organized into five comprehensive parts:

Territories, Homelands, Borders: This section explores the spatial dimensions of Kashmir, examining the historical and political implications of territorial claims and boundaries. It examines the role of militarism, borders, and military occupations in shaping the lives of Kashmiris and the broader geopolitical context of the region.

Militarism, Humanism, Occupation: This section delves into the military aspects of the conflict, examining the role of the Indian armed forces and the impact of militarization on the daily lives of Kashmiris. It also explores alternative humanist and nonviolent resistance movements and their contributions to the struggle for self-determination.

Memories, Futures, Imaginations: This section explores the cultural and historical dimensions of the conflict, examining the role of memory, trauma, and imagination in shaping the narratives and identities of Kashmiris. It explores the role of literature, art, and popular culture in expressing the experiences of Kashmiris and fostering a sense of collective identity.

Religion, History, Politics: This section examines the intersection of religion, history, and politics in shaping the conflict. It explores the historical role of Islam, Hinduism, and Sikhism in the region and the ways in which these religious identities have been used to justify political interventions and marginalize Kashmiris. It also examines the political dynamics of the region, including the role of regional and national political actors, and the challenges faced by Kashmiris in achieving self-determination.

Armed Conflict, Global War, Transnational Solidarities: This section explores the armed conflict and global war aspects of the conflict, examining the role of international actors and the international legal framework in addressing the issue. It explores the transnational solidarity movements that have emerged in support of Kashmiris and the challenges faced by these movements in achieving a just and peaceful resolution to the conflict.

A comprehensive reference work documenting and consolidating the growing Critical Kashmir Studies scholarship, this handbook will be of interest to scholars across a wide range of disciplines, including anthropology, political science, cultural studies, legal and sociolegal studies, sociology, history, critical Indigenous studies, settler colonial studies, and feminist studies. The handbook offers a rich and nuanced understanding of the complexities of Kashmir, providing valuable insights into the historical, social, cultural, and political factors that have contributed to the ongoing conflict. By challenging dominant narratives and promoting a more inclusive and empathetic perspective, the handbook contributes to the ongoing efforts to promote peace, justice, and human rights in the region.

Weight: 940g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367353438