By: Kanwal Krishan Lidhoo*
The heart fills with joy when reflecting on the unity and compassion demonstrated by Kashmiri Pandits living across British India during the early 20th century. When they learned about the plight of their Kashmiri brethren, who were devastated by the notorious floods of July 1903 followed by a severe drought, plunging the entire valley into extreme destitution and misery, they galvanized themselves to provide succor. Their efforts transcended considerations of caste, community, and religion, showcasing a deep love for their ancestral land even though they had been physically distant for centuries.

The Catastrophe of 1903

The floods of July, 23, 1903, marked a catastrophic event for Kashmir, with the entire city of Srinagar submerged, transforming it into a vast lake the likes of which have never been seen before (including the floods of the year 2014). This natural disaster was followed by a severe drought that  further compounded the suffering of the valley’s inhabitants. In response to these calamities, the Kashmiri Pandit community living outside Kashmir  that time, organized a large-scale relief effort. They launched a campaign to seek and collect donations from their community members and extended networks across India. This pan-India mobilization highlighted the indomitable spirit and unbreakable bond that the Kashmiri Pandits maintained with their homeland. Despite their geographical separation, their connection to Kashmir remained profoundly strong.

Relief to All Kashmiris

A document (1905) highlighting the efforts of Kashmiri Pandits living outside India to provide relief to their brethren back home.
The fostering of unity within the community for their devastated  Kashmiri brethren projected an empathy and cohesiveness rarely seen. Their motive was clear: to assert their sense of belonging to Kashmir and provide relief to all Kashmiris, irrespective of caste, community, or religion. This spirit of solidarity and humanitarianism extended beyond immediate relief. It also fostered a sense of cultural and emotional continuity with their ancestral land, reinforcing their identity and heritage.
(Fascimile of correspondence between Pandit Manmohan Koul, Governor of Kashmir and Tej Bahadur Saproo of Allahabad)
A similar situation repeated itself years later when Kashmiri Pandits living abroad rose to the occasion,  trying to mobilize resources to support the educational and medical needs of  some of their community members who were victims of forced migration from Kashmir. This demonstrated a continuity of the values of compassion, unity, and resilience that the community upheld.

Leadership and Coordination

Returning to the floods of 1903, historical records available with Kashmir Rechords reveal that it was the quality leadership and efforts of the then  Governor of Kashmir, Pandit Manmohan Nath Koul and the renowned Kashmiri Advocate from Allahabad,  Pt Tej Bahadur Sapru,  who played a crucial role in galvanizing the Kashmiri Pandit community for this noble cause. Their leadership ensured that the relief efforts were well-coordinated and effective. A special Kashmir Relief Fund Account was created in  the Upper India Bank Limited, Allahabad of the then United Provinces where the collected money (which was more than ten thousand rupees) was deposited and subsequently disbursed through the office of the Governor of Kashmir. Donations continued to pour in until May 1905, reflecting the sustained commitment of the community.
Rare documents from that period, analyzed  by Kashmir Rechords, present formidable correspondence between,  Sri Pratap Singh, the  Maharaja Bahadur of Jammu and Kashmir, and Governor of Kashmir. In one of the communications  dated  May 5, 1905, Maharaja Pratap Singh  inquired about the remaining   corpus of funds collected by Kashmiri Pandits within and outside Kashmir that had not yet been distributed. The Governor of Kashmir, Pandit Manmohan Koul responded by informing the Maharaja that he had a remaining amount of over  500 rupees, 6 annas, and 9 payas with him.
In a subsequent communication dated May 31, 1905, Maharaja Pratap Singh directed Governor of Kashmir to forward the  undisbursed relief  amount to the management committee of Hindu College, Srinagar.
Maharaja Pratap Singh noted:-

“The college has come up recently and I am a promoter of this college. And now, since the challenges of floods of 1903 and drought have been neutralized, those who have collected and made available the donations want this amount to be provided to help this Hindu College. Fortunately, the situation has improved, and as such, there is no longer a need for the relief fund.’’

An Enduring Connection

The series of events and actions underscore the enduring connection and responsibility that Kashmiri Pandits felt towards their homeland. Their collective efforts not only alleviated immediate suffering but also contributed to the long-term educational and social infrastructure of Kashmir. In all this, one notices that while a Kashmiri Pandit may be taken out of Kashmir, Kashmir cannot be taken away from a Kashmiri Pandit. The legacy of their commitment and compassion continues to inspire and resonate through history.

*Kanwal Krishan Lidhoo is a noted Broadcaster, Author and acclaimed  Translator approved by Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi. He is a Founding Director of Kashmir Rechords Foundation.

Kashmir Rechords

View Comments

  • Wonderful write up & information.
    thanks for enlightening us ..
    Great thing about your writeups ( blogs) is you provide the pictorial proofs also ..
    thanks once again...

    • Thanks a lot for appreciating our efforts. At Kashmir Rechords, we publish information based on facts with supporting documents.

  • Even after partition of India in 1947 a delegation of well known Kashmiri Pandits of Allahabad, met the community members of Kashmir,and offered to help the intereted students in pursuing higher education outside the Valley with their help, ,and some students did benefit from this offer.. Actually they had come to evaluate the openion of the community members about their prospects in the future ,and got the impression that they were very apprehensive about their future in Kashmir. So on returning back to Allahabad they had suggested to Nehru that K.P's of the Valley be settled in the cooler regions of North
    India as their prospects in the future would not remain secure.This suggestion was rejected by Nehru. ( I myself was one of the students who met this delegation,and I remember Kailash Nath Katju, was particularly very much concerned on this issue ,as it appeared from his arguments. )

      • The above comments are greatly encouraging. The times require us to come clean on many a thing with documentary proofs and evidence. So Ramesh Ji's appreciation means a lot.

  • Pran Ji's observations are first hand experience of Kashmiri Pandits with the powers ruling Indian state with their inertia to take a decision without considerations of vote bank politics etc.
    Ironically they will provide residential areas for Tibetans but the same will send jitters down their spine when it comes to Kashmiri Pandits. Pathetic leaders through ad through upto the present. Very unfortunate 😭

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