The ruler of Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh, sought Indian help in October 1947 due to a military campaign launched by Pakistan. On 22 October 1947, Pakistan sent tribal forces (often referred to as Pathan invaders) to attack Kashmir, and they began advancing towards Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir. With the situation worsening, Hari Singh realised that he could not defend Kashmir from the advancing forces on his own, especially considering the region's vulnerability and the absence of a strong military force to resist the invasion.
Facing this crisis, Maharaja Hari Singh decided to sign the Instrument of Accession to India, which allowed Indian forces to enter Kashmir and assist in countering the Pakistani invaders. In return, he agreed to cede to India, making Kashmir a part of the newly independent Indian Union. This marked the beginning of India’s military intervention in Kashmir, which was later followed by the UN-mediated ceasefire in 1948.
