In August 1947, when the former royal domain of British India was granted independence, it was divided into two countries – India and Pakistan. The partition that led to two nations—Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan—when the British finally left India after 300 years, immediately triggered one of the largest human migrations in history as millions of Muslims fled to the West. traveled to East Pakistan (the latter of which is now known as Bangladesh), while millions of Hindus and Sikhs went the other way.
While all students are taught about the Partition in our history books, many of us do not know the exact magnitude and impact of the historical event. Let’s learn everything about partition in today’s classes with News18.
India’s independence from the British
Since the rule of the East India Company ended in 1858 as a result of the 1857 rebellion and rebellion against Company rule, India was the largest possession of the British Empire and a subject of the British Crown. After World War II, Britain lacked the necessary resources to maintain control of its most valuable imperial possession, which led to an unorganised, hasty and awkward withdrawal from India. In contrast to the long history of violent rebellion and harsh repression under British control in India, British forces were able to leave the country without firing a shot. The intensity of the impending carnage was equally unexpected.
The Dominion of Pakistan became the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, while the Dominion of India became the Republic of India (in 1975). India decided to adopt a secular government. On August 14, 1947, Pakistan gained independence, while India did so a day later.
The two-nation theory first reiterated the notion that Muslims in the subcontinent needed a separate nation because their aspirations would be crushed in a Hindu-majority India. Chaudhary Rehmat Ali was the person who first used the phrase “Pakistan” in 1933. Muhammad Ali Jinnah later adopted it and started fighting for the establishment of Pakistan.
The Muslim League and the Indian National Congress were unable to reach a consensus on the best plan of action to achieve independence. The INC opposed the idea of dividing the nation, while the League supported a separate homeland. Britain sent a Cabinet Mission to India to obtain an agreement on the subject. When this failed, Jinnah declared August 16, 1946 as “Direct Action Day”.
Since there was no clarity on the partition, people were nervous, especially those living in a community where the majority religion did not match with theirs. Violent explosions took place in many areas of Bengal, Bihar, United Provinces and Punjab. There was widespread murder, rape and torture. The elderly and children were not exempt.
The Congress, headed in this matter by Vallabhbhai Patel, supported the partition resolution to stem the tide of brutality and prevent a full-scale civil war in the country.
Initially, Jinnah insisted that Pakistan consist of the predominantly Hindu areas of Bengal and Punjab. However, Patel was strongly opposed to this and succeeded in partitioning those provinces, ensuring that the Hindu majority areas in those provinces were incorporated into India. However, neither the British nor the Indian authorities were prepared for or foresaw the vast scope of the Partition.
split effect
Neither the British nor the Indian authorities were prepared for or foresaw the vast scope of the Partition. Families were evicted from ancestral land. People had to leave their irreplaceable belongings behind and move to the other side. There were millions of displaced persons, and refugee camps were filled to capacity. Apart from acts of violence, many people also died from diseases caused by the unhygienic environment.
Women had to face the most problems during the partition. Under mysterious circumstances women were raped, abducted, sold and forced to start with strangers. The changing circumstances of some people led them to forge new family relationships. The governments of both India and Pakistan showed a lack of understanding of human feelings and sometimes forcibly removed women from their new relatives. He disregarded the decision-making rights of concerned women and failed to consult them.
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