O P Sharma
Title of Book : Tragedy of Mirpur ( Forgotten Atrocities)
Author : Bal K. Gupta and translation edition by
: Ramesh Khadyal
Publisher : Ashoka Book Depot, Purani Mandi, Jammu.
Year : 2014
Pages : 128
Price : Rs. 200
This 128-page Hindi book entitled “Tragedy of Mirpur in 1947: Forgotten Atrocities” has been brought out by Ramesh Khadyal.
The detailed account of painful events of Partition in 1947 had disastrous impact on the Mirpur area, an important and integral part of Jammu and Kashmir but which is under occupation of Pakistan now. The town is under water of Mangla Dam. The painful events and shameful atrocities on thousands of Hindus and Sikhs by deaths and destruction by “raiders backed by Pakistan regular armymen” is a sad chapter of our recent history. The untold miseries of fall of Mirpur have been detailed in a graphic account in English by Bak K. Gupta (from Mirpur and now settled in the USA) and the book was published from there. The author’s younger brother, Ramesh Khadyal in Bakshi Nagar, Jammu has translated it in Hindi to meet the growing public demand.
Mirpur, also known as Mirpur Chomakh, is in Pakistan held part of Jammu & Kashmir State since 1947. The town was raided and devastated by the Kaballi Pathans fully backed by Pak army on 10th of Magar 2004 (25th of November 1947). The town is no more in existence as it is in deep slumber under the Mangla dam our houses either burnt or destroyed in communal violence.
A Sordid Story
Mirpur was the biggest trade centre of the State and was perhaps the gate way of entire state with rest of the Indian states of British India. The town had over 80 percent brick built pacca houses with some of the banglows of rich Mirpuries, such as Diwan Chand Shah (Advocate), had even three storey building which are under the lake water of the Mangla Dam since 1960.
The book gives a graphic details of the happenings of October, 1947 when Mirpur area was attached by brutal force of raiders (tribes men) and the Pak soldiers. There was naked tragi-drama of deaths and destruction with lot many inhuman acts of barbarism. The author himself hailing from Mirpur has witnessed these events and told well the sordid story of sorrows of thousands of men, women and children who suffered unbelievable torture at the unholy hands of enemies of mankind.
The author, Bal K. Gupta, was born in Mirpur, POK and was ten years old in 1947 during the invasion of Mirpur by Pakistan. The book is primarily made up of his personal narrative after Mirpur was captured.
Gupta describes how the Muslims of Mirpur had left the city leaving only the Hindus and Sikhs. Prominent members of these communities made trips to India to speak with Prime Minister Nehru and other members of the Indian government to try and persuade them to send the Indian Army to help the outnumbered J&K Army. However, their pleas fell on deaf ears and the city was not reinforced. Eventually, the Pakistanis and their hired Pathan mercenaries overran the city’s outnumbered defenses. The events that follow make a harrowing tale of senseless violence and hate.
Untold Miseries
Numerous persons were mercilessly murdered and thousands of men, women and children were kept in Alibagh confinement. Thousands were forced to undertake journey on foot to safer places and many took refuge in Jammu and elsewhere in the country. Many Mirpuris are well settled in a brought and doing very well. These patriotic people faced many hardships patiently but did not give up hope in the Almighty as also in their own-self! They are enterprising people with high courage and hard work. Without much Government support the community has progressed and is forging ahead.
This book has brought to light, for the first time, the actual happenings and historical facts. Now the Hindi edition will meet the growing demand for actual and accurate account of happenings during 1947 in Mirpur.
The book carries some rare photographs of prominent persons belonging to Mirpur who were witness to the tragic chapter of history in the aftermath of the Partition and some personalities also find mention those who build up the community to its present state and status. The book has 44 chapters devoted to different aspects of the subject matter. While Bal K. Gupta’s word have been put in it, late Dr. Vidyanath Gupta, former Head of Department, Hindi, University of Jammu’s Foreword has expressed good word for this book.
Tragedy Narrated
Ramesh Khadyal, a retired State Government employee, has rendered a service to the community by putting search light on this dark chapter of history of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Hindi edition under review has recently been published by Ashoka Book Depot, Jammu. This book is priced moderately despite the high cost of printing and production these days. It gives a detailed personal account of the entire scenario of the unforgettable tragedy in Mirpur during 1947. The sad story of that period chronicled and told well by the author in a authentic way in simple-straight language. It is hoped that this book will enjoy a vast readership.
(Starline Syndicate Service)
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