“The Cracked Mirrow” Of South Asia: Partition Of British India Of 1947 In The Collective Memory Of Contemporary Indian Society

 
PIIS032150750005168-6-1
DOI10.31857/S032150750005168-6
Publication type Article
Status Published
Authors
Occupation: Head of Department of South Asian History
Affiliation: Institute of Asian and African Studies, Lomonosov Moscow State University
Address: Russian Federation, Moscow
Journal nameAsia and Africa Today
EditionIssue 6
Pages64-69
Abstract

The article is focused on the events of 1947 in South Asia - the decisive year which demonstrated the glorious achievement of self-governance in former British India and at the same time brought disaster, horror and frustration into the lives of millions of people inhabiting subcontinent. It was the Partition of the territories of the colony and the formation of two dominions - Indian Union and Pakistan, which caused unprecedented migrations to the “Imaginary Homelands” - of Muslims from India to Pakistan and Hindus and Sikhs from Pakistan to India. The article is dedicated to the legacy of the Partition in contemporary Indian society, the reflection of those dramatic events in the collective memory of masses. Their destinies depict the tragedy of the Partition and it’s trauma to future generations. Distorted identities, economic collapse, political crisis, humiliation of millions of people and brutal crash of human rights, unjustified burst of hatred and furious instincts - so was the heavy “burden”of 1947. The Partition uprooted millions who sought safety across a line they hadn’t drawn or desired and which was the mutual creation of British authorities and elite politicians from Indian National Congress and Muslim League. “Never before in South Asian history did so few divide so many in so short a time” - this sad joke is well known and wide spread in India of nowadays. But borders drawn in 1947 are still under hard discussion between India and Pakistan today, causing aggrevation of situation and recurrent wars in South Asian region.

KeywordsBritish India, swaraj, Partition of 1947, India, Pakistan, Princely States, India-Pakistan Relations
Publication date31.05.2019
Number of characters26384
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