India Pakistan Partition

By 1946, World War II had left Britain bankrupt and the Indian National Congress demanded
a single state where all religions would live side-by-side, but many Muslims feared living
under a Hindu majority. In Lahore, Szold City, Muslims were forbidden from drinking from
the same taps as hippies, and a champion wrestler from the old city park rode in a Muslim.
The demand for a separate Muslim homeland was popular among Muslims due to fears that
Hindus were dominated by independent India. Muhammad Ali Jinnah's Muslim League
demanded the division of India into one country for the Hindus and Sikhs and another for the
Muslims.

The British government delegation arrived in Calcutta to negotiate an independent India, but
the Muslim League accused them of working for domination. Jinnah called for direct action
and thousands of Muslims gathered in the center of the city to demand a separate homeland
Pakistan. 5,000 people were killed in three days of rioting. The Calcutta killings shattered the
hope of an undivided India, with religious hatred and suspicion growing. Mahatma Gandhi
tried to bring the country together, but his efforts were met with resistance from Hindus and
Muslims. Local politicians used to stir up divisions between communities for their own ends.
Gurkhas were sent to Lahore to help the local police keep the peace. They were briefed on
intelligence and trained to prevent a Muslim takeover of the Punjab. Sikhs formed guitars and
armed bands to prevent reprisals. Nehru and Jinnah agreed to divide India in two on June 3rd
1947, despite the threat of all-out conflict.

Gandhi's lifelong dream of Indian independence was realized when Mountbatten announced
the new border, leading to a major refugee movement of over 200,000 people. The partition
led to the largest mass migration in human history, with millions of Hindus, Muslims, and
Sikhs moving across the newly created borders. The violence and bloodshed that
accompanied the partition resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.

The partition brought long-term consequences for the region. The issue of Kashmir, which
was disputed between India and Pakistan, remains unresolved to this day and has led to
several wars between the two nations. The partition also had a significant impact on the
socio-economic and cultural development of both India and Pakistan till date. Its legacy
continues to shape the region's politics, economics, and social fabric.

- Mousumi Mochahary (CTM22021)

2nd Semester, Department of Cultural Studies