The Impact of Partition on Punjab: A Historical Overview

The Story of Punjab's Partition

Today, we delve into the narrative of a state that suffered immensely due to the partition of India and Pakistan. Punjab, an integral part of India, has historically served as a protective barrier against harmful elements and has consistently inspired the nation towards a spiritual path. During the partition in 1947, Punjab faced the brunt of the upheaval, witnessing one of the most devastating displacements in human history. The violence and riots that erupted during this period claimed millions of lives, with estimates suggesting around two million fatalities and the displacement of approximately fifteen million people. At one time, Punjab's borders extended to touch Afghanistan, but post-partition, only a small segment remained with India. The region was divided between the Indian state of Punjab and the Punjab province of western Pakistan.

Punjab Before the Partition

Punjab's Historical Names 

In ancient times, Punjab was known by various names, one of which was 'Sapta Sindhu,' meaning 'land of seven rivers.' The rivers Sindhu, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas are considered sacred in India. Before the partition, Punjab comprised 29 districts, with 16 allocated to Pakistan and 13 remaining in India. These districts were divided into five divisions, including Ambala, Jalandhar, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Multan, with each division containing six districts, except for Jalandhar, which had five. Following the partition, India retained two districts from Lahore: Amritsar and Gurdaspur.

The Religious Basis of Punjab's Division

Approval of Partition 

On June 3, 1947, the partition was approved, with the transfer of power scheduled for August 15. The British were eager to expedite the process of granting independence to India and establishing Pakistan. Both leaders, Jawaharlal Nehru and Muhammad Ali Jinnah, were also keen on a swift division. The situation in Punjab was deteriorating rapidly, with reports of hundreds of deaths emerging daily. Bengal faced a similar plight, and many princely states had already signed agreements for merger. The mass migration from Punjab and Sindh severely impacted food supplies.

Why Lahore Could Not Become Part of India

The Hypothetical Scenario 

Had certain truths materialized, the maps of India and Pakistan would have looked vastly different. Today, Amritsar could have been in Pakistan, necessitating permission from Pakistan to visit the Golden Temple. Lahore might have been a part of India, with Indian citizens freely roaming its streets. However, British policies led to the division of India and Pakistan along religious lines. Despite expectations that Lahore would belong to India due to its significant Sikh and Hindu population, it ultimately became the capital of Pakistan's Punjab province. Lahore is now the second-largest city in Pakistan after Karachi, holding considerable historical significance.

The Role of Radcliffe in Drawing Borders

Radcliffe's Task 

When Lord Mountbatten was tasked with dividing the country, he delegated the responsibility to his friend, Cyril Radcliffe. Given just 10 to 12 days to complete the task, Radcliffe, unfamiliar with India, began drawing the lines. This led to numerous errors during the partition, resulting in significant loss of life. Radcliffe himself was reportedly dissatisfied with his work and burned all related documents upon returning to London, rarely discussing the matter afterward.

Radcliffe's Arbitrary Decisions in Boundary Demarcation

Religious Demographics as the Basis for Division 

The primary criterion for the partition of Punjab and Bengal was the religious demographics. Sikhs, whose sacred sites were spread throughout Punjab, demanded that these sites be included in the eastern Punjab that would remain with India. Conversely, the Muslim League sought to retain the majority of Punjab, except for five districts in the Ambala division. Radcliffe's decision was surprising; despite Lahore's Hindu-Sikh majority, it was assigned to Pakistan. He justified this by stating that Muslims needed a major city in Punjab, as they lacked a capital.