Question
How did the partition affect life in Delhi?
Solution
The partition of India in 1947 led to a massive transfer of populations on both sides of the new border.
(i)As a result, the population of Delhi increased all of a sudden. The job of the people changed and the culture of the city became different.
(i)As a result, the population of Delhi increased all of a sudden. The job of the people changed and the culture of the city became different.
(ii)Most of these migrants were from Punjab. They stayed in camps, schools etc. While some got the opportunity to occupy residences that had been vacated by the Muslims.
(iii)Yet others were housed in refugee colonies. New colonies like Lajpat Nagar and Tilak Nagar grew at this time. Shops and stalls were set up to cater the needs of the migrants, schools and colleges were opened.
(iv)The migrants coming to Delhi were rural landlords, lawyers, teachers, traders and small shopkeepers. Partition changed their lives and occupations. They had to take up new jobs like hawkers, vendors, carpenters, and ironsmiths.
(v)The large migration from Punjab changed the social milieu of Delhi. An urban culture largely based on Urdu was overshadowed by new tastes and sensibilities, in food, dress and the arts.
