Books on India, Pakistan in demand after Pahalgam attack

Since the terrorist attack in Pahalgam last week, some bookshops in Bengaluru have reported a rise in interest in books on Kashmir, Pakistan, and the Indian Army.

The demand spans ages 22 to 60, with booksellers noting a marked curiosity among younger readers. Instead of relying on staff recommendations, people are asking for titles they have already researched online.

Blossom Book House, which has three stores on Church Street, has sold about 15 copies each of titles like ‘India’s Most Fearless’, ‘Shoot, Dive, Fly’, ‘The Brave’, and ‘Kargil: Untold Stories from the War’. Published between 2014 and 2019, these non-fiction books cover true stories of army life, wars fought in treacherous mountains, and Indian soldiers honoured for their heroism.

‘Kitne Ghazi Aaye, Kitne Ghazi Gaye’, which has done well since its 2023 release, is getting a lot of enquiries now, shares Mayi Gowda, the owner. Authored by Lieutenant General (retd) K J S Dhillon, it is a first-hand account of key events in Kashmir, including the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, the Pulwama attack, the Balakot strikes, and the abrogation of Article 370, alongside the personal and professional journey of an army veteran.

On the same street, The Bookhive is running out of books on Kashmir’s post-Independence history, including ‘Kashmir at the Crossroads’, and ‘Kashmir’s Untold Story: Declassified’. ‘Kashmir: The Vajpayee Years’ (2015), co-authored by former Research and Analysis Wing chief A S Dulat, is back in demand — possibly also because he’s in the news for his new book, says owner Keshav R. There’s renewed interest, too, in ‘Loal Kashmir’, a novel exploring love, loss, and resilience in a conflict zone, which came out in January this year.

Gangarams Book Bureau, also on Church Street, is fielding 8-10 daily enquiries for books on the complex history of Pakistan and Kashmir, as well as news magazines covering the fallout from the Pahalgam attack. It has sold a copy or two of ‘Pakistan: A Personal History’, in which cricketer Imran Khan reflects on his foray into politics; ‘Pakistan: The Balochistan Conundrum’, which explores unrest in the country’s largest province; and ‘Pakistan: Beyond the Crisis State’, which examines how Pakistanis view themselves and their nation’s challenges.

J Sai Deepak’s 2022 book ‘India, Bharat and Pakistan’ is also drawing fresh enquiries, says Prakash Gangaram, owner. It analyses how European and Middle Eastern colonial influences shaped India’s constitutional framework. Kalpatharu Book House has also seen students buying books from Deepak’s Bharat Trilogy series, says owner Charan Bhargav. In response, the Kengeri-based store plans to stock more titles on geopolitics, terrorism, and matters of national importance.

Om Book Shop, Mahadevapura, is yet to see enquiries turn into sales. “A few people flipped through ‘Kashmir: Travels in Paradise on Earth’ and left,” says a representative.