Sadar-I-Riyasat: an autobiography

The response to the first volume of my autobiography, Heir Apparent, was so heartening that soon after its publication I started work on this second volume which takes the story of my life from August 1953, where I had left the reader after the grave constitutional crisis in Kashmir, up to March 1967, when I joined the Union Cabinet as Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation. It thus brings me to the age of thirty-six and completes the second phase of my life in Jammu and Kashmir.

The period covered by this book saw important developments on the national scene, including the wars with China in 1962 and with Pakistan in 1965. It also witnessed the passing away of two Prime Ministers, Jawaharlal Nehru in 1964 and Lal Bahadur Shastri in 1966, and the rise to power of Indira Gandhi. In Jammu and Kashmir there were a number of significant developments with which I was closely associated. The title of this volume flows naturally from my situation. I was the first and last Sadar-i-Riyasat (Head State'), the office having come into being when I was Regent and dis appearing when I became Governor. There could not be many instances in history of the same person being the only incumbent of a major public office, or of holding the office of Head of State under three separate designations!

Apart from political events, I have also touched on several personal matters. Our three children were born during this period, and my father passed away in exile in Bombay. My inner spiritual quest deepened through contact with several books and people, especially Sri Krishnaprem. Life is essen tially a movement towards maturity, and the more challenging the outer situation, the greater are the opportunities for inner growth. Indeed, I have noticed a direct link between these two aspects, expressed so well by Robert Frost when he writes:

But yield who will to their separation, My object in living is to unite

My avocation and my vocation As my two eyes make one in sight.