American Research Journal of History and Culture

Situated on the northern extremity of India, the state of Jammu and Kashmir occupied a very important and strategical position in the Political map of the British Indian Empire. Its boundaries extend from the northern outskirts of the vast plains of Punjab to the point where the borders of independent powers of Russia and China almost touch British India. The independent kingdom of Afghanistan meets it on the North West. The valley of Kashmir seems to occupy a position of the very highest importance with reference to the safety of British India, for it may be looked upon as an entrenched camp situated on the flank of any force attempting the invasion of the empire from the west, while it lies directly on the road of an enemy advancing by the routes from Badakshan, Kashgar and Yarkand.