History of the Kashmiri Pandits

This page presents a historical overview of the Kashmiri Pandit community and the events
that led to their mass displacement in 1990. It is intended as a reference guide outlining
historical context, chronology, and long-term consequences. The focus is on documentation
and factual continuity rather than interpretation or opinion.

Origins and Indigenous Presence

The Kashmiri Pandits are the indigenous Hindu community of the Kashmir Valley, with a recorded presence spanning millennia. As the original inhabitants, they contributed profoundly to the region’s intellectual and cultural life, fostering a legacy of Sanskrit scholarship and administrative excellence that defined the valley for centuries.

The Erosion of Stability

By the late twentieth century, Jammu and Kashmir faced growing political volatility. The period between 1986 and 1989 was marked by a steady rise in targeted intimidation. The systemic collapse of local law and order paved the way for a climate where the minority community became the primary target of an orchestrated campaign of fear.

Political and Social Context Before 1989

By the late twentieth century, Jammu and Kashmir experienced growing political instability.

The 1990 Displacement

In early 1990, the threat became existential. In a concentrated period of time, the vast majority of the Kashmiri Pandit population was forced to flee their ancestral homes. This exodus was not a choice but a desperate flight for survival, resulting in a global diaspora and the near-total removal of an indigenous community from its homeland.

THE LIVING ARCHIVE:
Articles |
Memorial |
Shadows Over the Valley (Book)