(e-content developed by Dr N. A. Jarandikar)
B.
A. Part II
Semester
III, Paper No. IV
Partition
Literature
Causes
of Partition of India
1) The Independence
War of 1857: The 10th century onwards, the Muslims came to
India. They came from central Asia. They came to India as soldiers and
merchants. In course of time, they settled here. They lived in India for years
together. Hindus and Muslims never considered each other as the rivals. During
the first war of Independence of 1857, Hindus and Muslims fought together
against the British. So the British realised that if they want to rule India,
they must ‘divide’ these two communities. This is how, the British made
systematic efforts to separate Muslims from Hindus right from 1857.
2) The Partition of
Bengal: Bengal was the largest province. The Indian independence movement
was gaining momentum, particularly in Bengal. Hindus and Muslims were fighting united
against the British. So the British
wanted to weaken the Bengal. So the British used the policy of “Divide and
Rule”. They divided Bengal on the basis of Hindu and Muslim community in 1905.
As a reaction against this partition, the freedom struggle movement became very
powerful. Indians used the weapon of “Swadesi” against the British. The song
“Vande Mataram” became their slogan. Lal–Bal–Pal were the three pillars
of this movement. British failed in separating Bengal. The partition of
Bengal called back in 1911. But the British became successful in sowing the
seeds of enmity between the two communities.
3) Role
of Muslim League: All the Indian leaders came together under Indian National
Congress. But the Muslim leaders who were loyal to the British formed a new
party Muslim League in 1906. The British encouraged the Muslim League to
work against the Hindus. At first, the Muslim League demanded separate places
(electorates) for Muslims in elections. It proposed the “Two-Nation Theory”
for the first time. This theory later on became a basis for the partition of
India. Barrister Jinnah played an important role in the Muslim League.
4)
India Act 1935: As per the India Act of 1935, the British
conducted elections in India. In the elections, the Congress party won
majority. The Muslim League lost many seats. So the leaders of the Muslim
League became upset. It was a turning point in the history of India. A gap
between Hindus and Muslims widened. Jinnah came to conclusion about forming an
independent nation for the Muslims.
5)
Quit India Movement: During the Second World War, Gandhiji and the
congress thought it as a right moment for final fight against the British. So in
1942, Gandhiji gave a call for the “Quit India Movement”. By this time, the
Muslim League had confirmed the idea of not going with congress and demanding
Pakistan. So as a reaction against the “Quit India Movement”, the Muslim
League gave a slogan “Divide and Quit”.
6)
Direct Action Day: Congress made all the efforts for the freedom of
united India. But Jinnah remained firm on the issue of separate Pakistan. In
the elections of 1946, the Muslim League won the majority in the Muslim
dominated states. It boosted the confidence of Jinnah. So for the new nation of
Pakistan, Jinnah gave a final call to all the Muslims. He declared “Direct
Action Day”. 16 August 1946 was observed as the Direct Action Day by the
Muslim League. The Muslim League used violent steps like murders, rapes and
looting on this day. After the Direct Action Day, the communal violence became
terrific. Congress leaders became helpless and accepted the Partition of India.
7) Indian Independence Act 1947: Lord
Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India prepared a draft of Indian
Independence Act 1947. As per the Act, it was decided that India will be
divided into two nations namely India and Pakistan. There will be East
Pakistan and West Pakistan. It was decided to divide Punjab, Bengal and
Assam. The areas with Hindu and Sikh majority were assigned
to new India while the Muslim-majority areas were assigned for the new state of
Pakistan. The boundary line was finalised by Sir Radcliffe. On the night of 14th
August, at 12 O’clock, two separate nations took birth. Thus ended the 150
years old British Raj in India. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru became the first
Prime Minister of India. Barrister Jinnah became the first Governor General of
Pakistan.
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