Partition of India

Background

British East India Company Logo

India was under the British Raj for over 90 years, followed by a 100 year period of being ruled by the British East India Company, until they finally gained Independence from Great Britain

(1947 Partition of India and Pakistan)

British Raj Land and Emblem

Post Imperialism

"What should have been a moment of crowning triumph after years of anti-colonial struggle was indelibly marred by unimaginable violence and bloodshed"

(1947 Partition of India and Pakistan)

"Celebratory shouts of freedom from colonial rule were drowned out by the cries of millions frantically making their way through the corpse-littered landscape of nascent India and Pakistan"

(1947 Partition of India and Pakistan)

In 1947 when India first gained independence, instead of finally being at peace after a long awaited freedom was granted, violence broke out and disrupted India. Millions of people lost their lives, and India became an unpleasant place. "The darkened landscape bore silent witness to trains laden with the dead, decapitated bodies, limbs strewn along the sides of roads, and wanton rape and pillaging." The 14 million refugees on their way over were in for a real shock.

(1947 Partition of India and Pakistan).

India Pakistan Split

India - Pakistan split. Conflict between the two religions of Hinduism and Islam.

Neighboring countries that were once at peace were now turning on each other using armed conflict. What could have become a peaceful transition of power, turned into a deadly one. British India was divided into two countries: India, a country whose main religion was Islam, and Pakistan, a country where they practiced Hinduism. While Great Britain was supposed to allow India plenty of time to get things in order, they handed independence over 10 months early before clear land borders could be drawn. Hindus and Muslims were against each other.
(1947 Partition of India and Pakistan)

lasting impact

"These Partition memories, as represented in this collection of interviews, underscore the fragility of our humanity, of the depths and heights of which we are capable of falling to and ascending." (1947 Partition of India & Pakistan)

Interviews brought a new perspective to how the world sees the conflict through the eyes of those that experienced it first hand. The partition enforced by Great Britain is proving to have a long term in pact on Indians. It caused a lot of heartache and pain. These stories help to provide an understanding of what they went through during this time.

(1947 Partition of India and Pakistan)

Analysis: The power in the form of independence Britain gave to India before they were ready, unclear land borders that were drawn in a rush, and the negative connotation Hindus saw with Muslims, and Muslims saw with Hindus led to an unsuccessful and not peaceful India. India fought for Independence for years and when it finally came, it wasn’t done the right way. After the long fight with Great Britain, now India and Pakistan were fighting with one another. By imperializing India and taking control over it, Great Britain set the country up for failure. While they may have granted independence, they didn’t give India enough time to split fairly and in a good manor. This long term conflict between India and Pakistan is one that's still going on today.

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