The Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-1948, also known as the First Kashmir War, was the first major conflict between India and Pakistan after they became independent nations. It was centered around the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Jammu and Kashmir, before 1815, comprised small states under Afghan rule and later under Sikh dominance after the decline of the Mughals. The First Anglo-Sikh War (1845-46) led to the region being sold to Gulab Singh, forming the princely state under the British Raj. The partition of India in 1947, which created India and Pakistan, led to violence and a mass movement of populations based on religious lines.

The war began with Jammu and Kashmir State Forces and tribal militias in action. The Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, Hari Singh, faced an uprising and lost control of parts of his kingdom. Pakistani tribal militias entered the state on October 22, 1947, attempting to capture Srinagar. Hari Singh requested help from India, which was offered on the condition of the state's accession to India. Maharaja Hari Singh initially chose not to join either India or Pakistan. The National Conference, a major political force in Kashmir, favored joining India, while the Muslim Conference in Jammu favored Pakistan. The Maharaja eventually acceded to India, a decision influenced by the tribal invasion and internal rebellions. Indian troops were then airlifted to Srinagar. After the state's accession to India, the conflict saw the direct involvement of Indian and Pakistani forces. The conflict zones solidified around what later became the Line of Control, with a ceasefire declared on January 1, 1949.

Various military operations like Operation Gulmarg by Pakistan and airlifting of Indian troops to Srinagar marked the war. British officers in command on both sides maintained a restrained approach. The UN's involvement led to a ceasefire and subsequent resolutions that aimed at a plebiscite, which never materialized.

The war ended in a stalemate with neither side achieving a decisive victory, although India maintained control over the majority of the contested region. The conflict led to a permanent division of Jammu and Kashmir, laying the foundation for future Indo-Pakistani conflicts. The UN established a group to monitor the ceasefire, and the area remained a point of contention in subsequent Indo-Pakistani relations. The war had significant political repercussions in Pakistan and set the stage for future military coups and conflicts. The Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-1948 set a precedent for the complex and often contentious relationship between India and Pakistan, particularly regarding the region of Kashmir.