Analyzation of Long term causes.
The long term causes throughout the wars are virtually the same. Though each war had different short term causes (specific events that catalyzed the war) , the overall mentality throughout the conflicts, for the most part, remained a constant. Therefore, below is a list of two long term causes and three short term, one for each war. Keep in mind this aren't the only causes, but rather the most important and/or prevalent ones.
Long term cause #1 - Inter-religious tensions.
As an effect of the Partition of India, violence amongst Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims created a sense of hate and loathing between the people that spread to government, therefore setting the basis for violence amongst countries as a whole. Between 500,000 and 1 million casualties were accounted for between the stated religions, showing the tension that plagued the society. People were misplaced (as a result of the Partition of India), and resorted to violence to express there anger. The result of mixing different religions (and therefore amalgamating communal religions) was like putting two positive magnet together, a resistive force that could not be resolved. Each religions core beliefs were different, and the contradicting implementations each religion had on the community was futile in the eyes of the other religions. As cultures and societies founded on religion, the respective communities took offense to these rebutting beliefs; places of worship (Mosque versus Gurdwara), goals of the religions (submission vs relationship), etc. Therefore, this a a long term cause that, as a basis, fueled all three of the wars.
Long term cause #2 - conflicting political interests.
In regards to the cultural and religious tension arisen by the Partition of India, the leaders of India and Pakistan wanted different things that would benefit their respective countries the most. India wanted control of the territory given to them, full of resources and strategic benefits. In India’s perspective, the territory of Kashmir rightfully belonged to them. However, Pakistan wanted the territory because Muslims were “stuck” in the territory after the Partition of India, and wanted to claim the area based on its people; in their eyes, the majority of Muslims in the country designated that the country should belong to them. Overall, there was disagreements between parties and therefore different reasonings of why the area should belong to themselves. This is a typical argument where both sides refuse to compromise; each think their reasoning is superior, and likewise the other’s is irrational. The strong-willed countries had conflicting political interests that motivated each party to pursue war for the sake of rightness. It was not a petty argument to get what they want, but rather what the countries thought they needed for social and economical security.
Short term cause (1947) - Instrument of accession.
The Instrument of Accession was a legal document that was drafted by Britain to allow the remaining princely states to join either dominion, India or Pakistan. Maharajah Hari Singh, ruler of the princely states of Jammu and Kashmir, signed to document to officially join Kashmir to India based on incurring invasions by Pakistan. The Partition of India was the basis for this event, but once the territory of Kashmir was India’s by law, war sparked. Pakistan, mad at the lost, claimed that the document in fraudulent, while India argued it was unconditional and fair. India was given the right to a plebiscite, a determinate of the future of Kashmir, and Pakistan saw the territory they thought they need disappearing. The quickest and most effective action to rebut was war against India, not only to slow down the process of accession but likewise diminish India’s growing power and influence. The Muslim revolution and other events prior to the war made conflict seem more and more feasible. Through this, it is likely that Pakistan sought to gain accession of the other princely states, boasting power in and out of the dominion. However, the number of Muslims in Kashmir seemed unjust to Pakistan (“trapping Muslims in India”), and justified their actions as a plight for society.
“It is my Government's wish that as soon as law and order have been restored in Jammu and Kashmir and her soil cleared of the invader the question of the State's accession should be settled by a reference to the people.” -Lord Mountbatten's Response to the Accession
SHORT TERM CAUSE (1965) - Operation Gibraltar.
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, also known as the Second Kashmir War, was the most violent and longest of the three Indo-Pakistani wars. Pakistan, still bitter and desperate after losing two-thirds Kashmir, launched a large operation called Operation Gibraltar, designed to infiltrate forces into Jammu and Kashmir to precipitate and insurgency against rule by India. Pakistan saw an opportunity to reign control of the rest of the region, but knew that the border would be two heavily patrolled to execute a head-on attack. However, they knew India would refuse to hand over any land whatsoever. The Operation is defined as covert, where Pakistani soldiers would enter the country and utilize the Muslims to rally an insurgency. The strategy depended heavily on the Kashmiri Muslims. With the ties between religions, Pakistan deemed the war necessary. In a “brothers in arms” mentality, Pakistan believed the Muslims would be happy for the savors and band together to fight “the evil India regime”. Even though a Cease Fire Line existed, Pakistan thought it was necessary enough to break. Whether that action was for the sake of the people or out of greed in spite can be argued, but most likely the latter. The “for the people” argument is more so a justification as stating that Operation was going to occur for more land would likely have it’s critics (just like modern day warfare). The Operation itself, however, was rushed out of the urgent desire to claim Kashmir, and no back-up plan (if detected) was established. Indian forces were warned of intruders, and each side fought with violence. Both Pakistan and India were angry by each other’s actions, and pursued war to rightfully solve tensions.
"King of Rajouri in recognition to the act of extreme devotion to duty, feat of valour in the face of danger and exemplary courage". - Official title when Major Malik Munawar Khan Awan was awarded Sitara-E-Jurat.
SHORT TERM CAUSE (1971) - Operation Chengiz Khan.
Before the third Indo-Pakistani war of 1971, Pakistan was engulfed the Bangladesh Liberation War, a civil war where East Pakistanis fought against West Pakistanis. In short the Pakistani Army, with religious extremist groups, launched a full fledged genocide against Bengali citizens after they demanded acceptance of the Democratic election (where Eastern rulers won) or secession from the west. India wasn't directly involved until Hindus began fleeing into the neighboring country. Since Hindus were the primary target during the genocide, a majority fled to northern India (10 million estimated). Operation Chengiz Kham sought to be a preemptive air strike against India, in wake of the refugees that West Pakistan wanted literally dead (genocide). The airstrikes were conducted against 3 indian military bases. After the attack, Pakistan stated that the attacks were a "declaration of war" against India. India immediately retaliated, but Pakistan was prepared for the counter attack. The mentality of the third war was very different for the two countries; Pakistan wanted a brutal genocide of the Bengali people, yet India, almost thrown into the situation, had to defend its country and the people within it. Without attacks from Pakistan, India probably would not of gone to war, even with the genocide, as India's economy was extremely strained at the time. However, failure to retaliate would of resulted in obliteration of India. Thus began the third Indo-Pakistani war.
Which had the greatest impact on the start of the war: economy, ideology, politics or religion?
Religion had the greatest impact on the war as religion had its ties strong in government, culture and society, which, when Muslims were separated from Pakistan during the Partition of India, led to controversy without compromise. Pakistan saw the biggest injustice (in their perspective) during the Partition of India, as there was supposed to be a even secession of the current British India, where the respective religious groups would be kept together. However, a majority of Muslims were cut out of the Pakistan. When Kashmir agreed to an accession with India, Pakistan believed that the agreement was fraudulent; Pakistan thought the country should be rightfully theirs due to the majority of people being Muslim. Muslims under Hindu rule was nearly blasphemy, and a country defined by religion sought the relieve the injustice with the only rite available: war. The only other applicable impact was political reasons, as India sought to control the land for security and territorial reasons. However, the origin of the war was the religious problems occurring after the Partition of India. Neither country was concerned about economy or ideology as, since they were just separated, had mostly the same economics and base ideology (that changed over development and time however).