78th Accession Day in Jammu and Kashmir

• On October 26, Accession Day was celebrated in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to commemorate a historic moment in 1947.

• The day commemorates the signing of the Instrument of Accession by Maharaja Hari Singh, which integrated Jammu and Kashmir into the Indian Union.

• Maharaja Hari Singh was the ruler of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.

• The accession was formally signed on October 26, 1947, and came into effect the following day, October 27.

• The event took place amid the turmoil following India's partition and the threat of invasion from Pakistan.

• Pakistani tribal invaders had attacked Jammu and Kashmir, threatening its sovereignty and stability.