This is how the Economist explains the “Kashmir” conflict using the colonial label of ‘Hindus’ and ‘Muslims’ – these are ‘constructed labels’ however common-sense they seem to us today! There is a huge scholarly body of knowledge that demonstrates that before the emergence of the British Indian Empire, the ethnically diverse peoples of India did not self-ascribe on the basis of religion but tribal or clan backgrounds. This similarly held true for the Princely State of Jammu & Kashmir.
