KASHMIR

Maharaja Hari Singh rules Kashmir a Muslim-majority Princely State expected to accede to Pakistan during the partition in 1947. But Hari Singh dreams of a Switzerland-like status for his Himalayan kingdom. Meanwhile popular leader Sheikh Abdullah rallies for freedom and the Poonchis in western Jammu revolt telegramming Jinnah for help; soon fearsome kabailis are carving a swath of savagery and destruction through the kingdom towards Srinagar. In the Valley tourists flee in the face of the tribal invasion. When Durga Mehra''''s husband is murdered by the kabailis she seeks refuge in a camp where another desperate inmate Zooni is also awaiting passage to Srinagar. As rations become scarce newly widowed Kashmira worries how she''''ll feed her children but her houseboat guest intrepid American journalist Margot Parr is unfazed. She realizes she has the scoop of a lifetime on her hands.