Understanding Partition
How did the Congress come to change its views on Partition?
Initially the Congress was against the partition of the country. But in March 1947, the Congress high command agreed to divide Punjab into two halves. One part would constitute of the Muslim-majority areas. The other part would include areas having Hindu-Sikh majority.
Many Sikh leaders and Congress men were convinced that partition of Punjab was a necessary evil. The Sikhs felt that if they did not accept the partition, they would be overpowered by the Muslim majorities. Then they would be dictated and controlled by Muslim leaders.
The similar principle was applied to Bengal. There was a section of Bhadralok Bengali Hindus. They wanted to retain political power with them. They were also apprehensive of the Muslims. As the Hindus were in minority in Bengal, they thought it prudent to divide the province. It would help them retain their political dominance. Thus Congress changed its perception about the partition of the country after adopting a pragmatic approach.
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Find out about the ethnic violence that led to the partition of Yugoslavia. Compare your findings with what you have read about partition in this chapter.
Name the writer of ‘Sare Jahan Se Accha Hindustan Hamara’. What did he speak to the Muslim League in 1930 in his presidential address?
What did the Urdu poet Mohammad Iqbal meant by “North West Indian Muslim State”?
Why and when was the Cabinet Mission sent to India?
Why did the Muslim League reject the Cripps proposals?
What were the major features of the Indian Independence Act, 1947?
What were the negative consequences of partition of India in 1947?
When did and why the Cripps Mission arrive in India? Mention two reasons that led to the failure of the Cripps Mission of 1942.
Give a brief description of Hindu Mahasabha.
Discuss how Pakistan got its name “Pakistan” as a country.
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