Indian and Pakistani: Independence and Partition (August 1947)


Figure 1.-- With independence, partition also came into effect and wuth it the mass movement of oeople accompanies by unimaginable viloence and chhaos. The press caption read, "Stream of life: Moslem refugees continue to pou, in a never-ending stram, into Purana Gila Firt, on the outskirts of New Delhi, which had becomea refugee cmp for Moslens awaiting tranportation to Pakistan. The ancient firt already bulges with 100,000 refugees, living in squa;r behind its time-worn walls. Photographer: Ber Brandt.

The Partition of India was the difficult process of dividing the subcontinent along sectarian lines as India ahieved indpendence. Congress dominated by socialist, secular leaders wanted a united mult--religious India. Muslims leaders with a basically traditional, religious outlook, fearful of Hindu rule demanded a separate state. The issue began to surface years before actual independence as Indian leaders negan to think about independence and rhe depature of the British. India was not a united state before the arrival of the Europeans and the eventual creation of the Btitish Raj. Thus for the first time in history under British rule India meaning the sub-continent was united. This did not create a religious problem at first, because Mulims and Hindus were not ruled by a Muslim or Hindu-dominated national government. The Indian National Congress (INC) was organized and met for the first time (1885). From the beginning it was dominated by majority Hindus, but included many Muslims. The first major problm surfaced when When the British attempted to divide Bengal along sectarian lines (1905). The INC organized huge protests against the division plan. This resulted in the formation of the Muslim League (ML). And as the issue of independence advanced, the ML was at the spearhead of efforts to safeguard the rights of Muslims in the Raj and in any future independence negotiations. The idea of Pakistan or a separate Muslim state did develop until fairly late in the independence movement. And some historians speculate that the early demands for a separate state were really just a 'bargaining chip' to gain more influnce for Muslims in a Hindu majority state. The goal being a loosely federated India with a degree of autonomy for Muslims and the possibility of Sharia Law rather than British influenced secular law. Only in the late-1930s did the idea of an independent Pakistan emerge as a real goal. As Parition was carried out, northeastern and northwestern predominantly Muslim sections of India after difficult negotiations drawing the new border became the Pakistan, while the southern and majority Hindu regions section became India, albeit with a huge Muslim minority. Unresolved at the time of independence and parition was the status of Khasmir. And independence was a disjointed affair. Pakistan celebrated its independence on August 14. India celebrates independence on August 15. And notably, the border between the two now indepebdent states was not announced until August 17. The actual boundary line was hurriedly drawn by a British lawyer, Cyril Radcliffe. This may sound strange, but it left to Indians the border would have almost certainly resulted in a deadlock. This is why Congres and the ML agreed to him. Radcliffe not only had virtually no knowledge of Indian affairs, but he was working with out-of-date maps and census materials. Many Indians were shocked by the result, especially those living near the new border. Not only were farms and families separated, but whole communities were divided. Delaying the announcement of the border until power ws transferred meant that the rioting and refugee flight was followed became the responsibility not of the British Government, but of the two independent Indian governments.

The Raj

The Partition of India was the difficult process of dividing the British Raj, basically the subcontinent, along sectarian lines as India ahieved indpendence. Congress dominated by socialist, secular leaders wanted a united mult--religious India. Muslims leaders with a basically traditional, religious outlook, fearful of Hindu rule demanded a separate state.

Sectarian Relations during the Raj

The issue began to surface years before actual independence as Indian leaders negan to think about independence and rhe depature of the British. India was not a united state before the arrival of the Europeans and the eventual creation of the Btitish Raj. Thus for the first time in history under British rule India meaning the sub-continent was united. This did not create a religious problem at first, because Mulims and Hindus were not ruled by a Muslim or Hindu-dominated national government. The Indian National Congress (INC) was organized and met for the first time (1885). From the beginning it was dominated by majority Hindus, but included many Muslims.

Muslim Concerns

The first major problm surfaced when When the British attempted to divide Bengal along sectarian lines (1905). The INC organized huge protests against the division plan. This resulted in the formation of the Muslim League (ML). And as the issue of independence advanced, the ML was at the spearhead of efforts to safeguard the rights of Muslims in the Raj and in any future independence negotiations. The idea of Pakistan or a separate Muslim state did develop until fairly late in the independence movement. And some historians speculate that the early demands for a separate state were really just a 'bargaining chip' to gain more influnce for Muslims in a Hindu majority state. The goal being a loosely federated India with a degree of autonomy for Muslims and the possibility of Sharia Law rather than British influenced secular law.

Hindu Society

It should not be thought that there were not some very traditional Hindus that were concerned about the secular thinking of the INC leaders. After all it was a radical Hindu who shot Ghandi (1948). And India was still a very religious country. The INC secular leadership did not reflect the still very traditional and religious Indian society. It is fair to say, however, that Hindus were both more amenable to British secular scociety and to religious diversity than Muslims.

ML Demands for a Separate State (1930s)

Only in the late-1930s did the idea of an independent Pakistan emerge as a real goal. This occurred as it became clear that the Raj was ending and the British were leaving. The British made no commitment to indepedendence durin the War. But the Quit India movement made it clear to a growing number of Indians that the British could not continue to govern India. Massive force could have maintained the Raj, but this was something the British were not going to do after fighting World War II on the basis of linerty and freedom. As a result Indian leaders concentrated on a post-British, independent India. And the ML came more an concerned about majority Hindu rule. Religious thinking dominated thier thinking even though Congress was dominated by secular-oriented leaders.

Drawing the Border

As Parition was carried out, northeastern and northwestern predominantly Muslim sections of India after difficult negotiations drawing the new border became the Pakistan, while the southern and majority Hindu regions section became India, albeit with a huge Muslim minority. Unresolved at the time of independence and parition was the status of Khasmir. And independence was a disjointed affair. Pakistan celebrated its independence on August 14. India celebrates independence on August 15. And notably, the border between the two now independent states was not announced until August 17. The actual boundary line was hurriedly drawn by a British lawyer, Cyril Radcliffe. This may sound strange, but if left to Indians the border would have almost certainly resulted in a deadlock. This is why Congres and the ML agreed to him. Radcliffe not only had virtually no knowledge of Indian affairs, but he was working with out-of-date maps and census materials.

Resulting Shock

Indians were focused on independence and the future. It meant initial jubilation as the Union Jack came down and the two new ntional flages went up. It ws a time of celebration. Few Hindus or Muslims were aware of just what drawing borders between India and Pakistan would mean. The independence borders perhaps could have been drawn a little better, but no matter how it was drawn, it would have proved controversial. The population of the Raj was so dispersed religiously, large mumbers of Hindus would have fond themselves in Pakistan and large numbers of Muslims in India. Many Indians as a result were shocked by the result, especially those living near the new border and found themselves on the wrong religious side. Not only were farms and families separated, but whole communities were divided. Delaying the announcement of the border until power was transferred meant that the rioting and refugee flight which followed became the responsibility not of the British Government, but of the two independent governments. Neither the British or Imdia and Pakistan had the capability of dealing with the intercomminal violemce and humanitarian crisis which unfolded. An emense human tragedy unfolded which did not get the attention of the international community that it should have.







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Created: 3:41 PM 7/19/2015
Last updated: 8:07 PM 8/30/2017