75 Years of Partition 1947

The Partition of India in 1947 was a watershed moment in history. It was the end of British rule in India and the beginning of two new independent nations: India and Pakistan. However the partition was also a time of great violence and bloodshed. Millions of people were displaced from their homes and an estimated two million people were killed. The partition was caused by the growing religious divide between Hindus and Muslims in India. The British had ruled India for nearly 200 years and during that time they had encouraged the development of separate Hindu and Muslim identities. This led to a situation where Hindus and Muslims were increasingly seen as two separate peoples with different interests and goals. In the lead-up to independence the British government tried to negotiate a peaceful partition of India. However these efforts were unsuccessful and the partition was ultimately carried out in a very chaotic and violent manner. The violence of the partition had a profound impact on the people of India and Pakistan. Millions of people were left homeless and destitute and the trauma of the violence has been passed down through generations. The partition also had a lasting impact on the relationship between India and Pakistan. The two countries have fought three wars since the partition and relations between them remain tense to this day. The 75th anniversary of the partition is a time to remember the victims of the violence and to reflect on the legacy of this traumatic event.