Kashmiri Muslims – the Historical Consciousness and Memory in the Era of Modern Technology
Kashmiri Muslims – the Historical Consciousness and Memory in the Era of Modern Technology

Summary/Abstract: The Valley of Kashimir is a region which has been shaded by the conflict for decades and it is still far from resolution. Actually, it seems we observe its new phase in which the dispute spreads on the virtual space. The historical and social consciousness of the Kashmiris, formed on the occupational background, is a significant if not the most crucial element constituting the Kashmiri Muslim Identity. For last 20 years, local press popularized the claims to preserve tradition and language, or to write down history, which is believed to be presented falsely in the official narration. A need is uttered out loud to change the direction of the Kashmiri discourse which shall be based on oral history or other testimonies from the inside of the conflict reality. The increase in the interest in protecting the unique syncretic cultural heritage is visible in various activities of young generation of Kashmiris, both on the subcontinent and in diaspora. Currently, the main field for their grassroots initiatives became the Internet. By enabling a relatively free flow of information and wide accessibility, it became the space for building and maintaining the historical consciousness of the Kashmiri people. Websites such as “Lost Kashmiri History” and „Kashmir Lit” present how modern technologies serve for the memory preservation. In this paper I would like to present briefly the content of the abovementioned websites. Focusing on the seer idea of their existence, I will try to answer the question what constitutes the historical consciousness of nowadays Kashmiri Muslims. The aim of this research shall be an attempt to present the hardships behind writing about history in conflicted regions such as Kashmir and reflect upon the Internet as a solution to that problems.

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