Unit 3: Partition

Overview: 

Essential Questions: 

1. What was the relationship of Hindus and Muslims before Partition?

2. Who was Ali Jinnah and why did he want a separate country for Muslims?

3. How was Partition conducted and who was in charge?

4. Why was the process of the Partition of India and Pakistan so violent? Could the violence have been avoided?

Final Task: 

The Blame Game

Students use some of the questions below to help them build a research question that will help guide their research. There are many questions that could be asked about the partitioning of India and Pakistan, but one focus could be: 

Who or what is to blame for partition and the violence that ensued?

What role did the British play in the partition of India and Pakistan?

Did British colonialism exacerbate the tensions between groups in the region?

Was it because the British did not do enough to intervene when things got violent?

Was it because the British were selfish and wanted to get out of India before it got worse?

What role did religion play in the partition of India and Pakistan?

Was it religious difference that tore India apart?

Was it the stubborn leaders of the Congress party, who refused to concede to Jinnah’s requests?

Was it because Gandhi was too religious and alienated non-Hindus?

Was it because Jinnah would not settle for anything less than a sovereign Pakistan?

Was it because nationalism and religion were being confused?

Was Partition a good idea? Could the violence it brought on have been avoided?

What were the advantages of partition?

What were the disadvantages?

Who was supportive? Who was against? Why?