ABSTRACT
The princely state of Kashmir and Jammu had come under pressure from both India and Pakistan to agree to become part of one of the newly independent countries. However, upon the withdrawal of British forces there had been a Muslim revolution in Western Kashmir and the dissidents were immediately supported by the Pakistani government in the shape of tribal forces. The Political as an institution would not disappear of course; the Pakistani government would retain the position of Political Agent and the infrastructure of 'Political' administration on the Frontier subsequent to the departure of the British, up to and including the present day. In other words the morally enlightened aspects of British tribal policy, which deserve to be acknowledged for their progressive and imaginative bent, also served to create some significant obstacles to the flow of British influence. The Political Department also sought to utilize indigenous systems of rule in order to cater to local sensibilities.
