1947: Children of Partition - Five survivors tell their stories

Summary

This video script recounts the traumatic events of the 1947 Indian Partition, exploring its profound impact on the lives of those who lived through it. It delves into the horrors of communal violence, forced migration, and the personal stories of survivors like Bhagwan Das Taneja and Illa Banerjee. The script also touches on the expedited British withdrawal, the challenge of drawing borders, and the lasting emotional scars on individuals and communities. It serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of political decisions and the enduring quest for peace and reconciliation.

Takeaways

• 📆 The Partition of 1947 was a pivotal event in the history of the Indian subcontinent, leading to communal violence, bloodshed, and massive displacement of people.
• 🔍 The British policy of 'divide and rule' had been escalating communal hostilities in British India prior to 1947, with incidents like the Calcutta Riots of 1946.
• 👑 Lord Louis Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of British India, expedited the process of British withdrawal, which had profound effects on the subcontinent's partition.
• ⏳ The hastened transfer of power from June 1948 to August 15, 1947, led to a hurried and ill-planned partition, causing a humanitarian crisis.
• 🏛 Sir Cyril Radcliffe, with no prior experience in India, was tasked with drawing the boundary lines, which would divide the provinces of Punjab and Bengal.
• 🚶‍♂️ The partition resulted in the largest migration in human history, with nearly 15 million people displaced and approximately one million killed.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Personal stories, like that of Bhagwan Das Tanija, illustrate the profound personal impact of the partition, with families torn apart and forced to migrate.
• 🌐 The partition's effects were not limited to physical displacement; it also led to emotional and psychological trauma, particularly for women who experienced violence and loss.
• 👵‍🦳 Ila Banerjee's story represents the resilience of those who survived the partition, adapting to new circumstances and maintaining a positive outlook despite the challenges.
• 🏡 The partition created refugees overnight, forcing families to rebuild their lives from scratch, as seen in the experiences of Pratap Kumar Hora and his family.
• 💔 The lasting legacy of the partition is a deep emotional scar on the collective memory of the Indian subcontinent, with many still yearning for the days before the lines were drawn.

Q & A

What is considered the single most defining event in the history of the Indian subcontinent?

The partition of 1947 is considered the single most defining event in the history of the Indian subcontinent.

What were the immediate consequences of the partition of India in 1947?

The immediate consequences included communal violence, bloodshed, abductions, rapes, suicides, and looting.

What significant event preceded the partition of India in 1947?

The Calcutta riots of 1946, also known as the Great Calcutta Killing, were significant events that preceded the partition.

Who was the last Viceroy of British India and what was his task?

Lord Louis Mountbatten was the last Viceroy of British India, and his task was to prepare a plan for the transfer of power and expedite the process of British withdrawal.

Why was the date for the transfer of power from June 1948 changed to August 15, 1947?

Lord Mountbatten was in a hurry to get back to Britain, so he changed the date of transfer of power from June 1948 to August 15, 1947.

Who was responsible for drawing the boundary between India and Pakistan during the partition?

English barrister Sir Cyril Radcliffe was given the task of drawing the boundary between the two newly independent nations.

What was the scale of the migration that occurred during the partition of India?

Nearly 15 million people were displaced, approximately one million were killed, and around 83,000 girls and women were raped or abducted.

How did the partition affect Bhagwan Das Taneja's life?

Bhagwan Das Taneja, who was eight years old during the partition, witnessed violence and was forced to migrate to India with his family, leaving their home and facing struggles as refugees.

What was the impact of the partition on women according to the script?

The partition affected women differently, with many being raped, kidnapped, murdered, and sexually assaulted. However, it is important to acknowledge the broader range of effects on women's lives beyond just sexual violence.

What was the situation in the princely state of Jammu Kashmir during the partition of India?

The princely state of Jammu Kashmir was neither part of India nor part of the newly formed Pakistan initially. It was in a state of limbo until the first Indo-Pakistani war in 1948.

How did Pratap Kumar Hora's life change after the partition?

Pratap Kumar Hora's family had to migrate from Pakistan to India due to the violence. They became refugees and had to adjust to a completely different lifestyle, but they never gave up and eventually managed to get back on their feet.

Outlines

00:00

😢 The Horrors of Partition

The script begins by setting the stage for the Partition of India in 1947, a pivotal event that left deep scars on the subcontinent. It discusses the communal violence, bloodshed, and atrocities that followed, which are still remembered vividly. The narrative then shifts to question whether the troubles began in 1947, revealing that the British 'divide and rule' policy had already sown the seeds of discord. The Calcutta Riots of 1946 are highlighted as a precursor, leading to the appointment of Lord Mountbatten as the last Viceroy with the task of expedited British withdrawal. His decision to advance the transfer of power to August 1947 had catastrophic consequences, resulting in the hasty division of India and Pakistan and the largest human migration in history, with millions displaced and countless lives lost.

05:01

🚂 Escape to India: Tunisia's Story

Paragraph 2 introduces Bhagwan Das Taneja, who as a child in 1947, witnessed the violent upheaval of Partition firsthand. His family, after experiencing attacks and fearing for their safety, decided to migrate to India. Their journey by rail is described, culminating in their arrival on the eve of India's independence. Despite the joy of independence, the sorrow of leaving their home loomed large. The family's struggles as refugees in India are detailed, including the challenges of finding a living and adapting to a new life. Tunisia's story is one of resilience and adaptation, as he grows up to become a store owner and starts a family, yet he still longs for the days of harmony before Partition.

10:11

👵 Women's Plight in Partition

This paragraph delves into the often-overlooked emotional and psychological impact of Partition on women, moving beyond the narrative of sexual violence to acknowledge the broader effects on their lives. Ila Banerjee's story is shared as an example. Born in 1936, her life took a drastic turn during the riots of 1950, forcing her family to flee to India. The challenges she faced, including the loss of her father and the need to adapt to a new life in India, are highlighted. Despite the hardships, Ila's story is one of strength and resilience, showing how she and her family managed to rebuild their lives.

15:21

🏡 From Jammu Kashmir to Nepal

Preetam's narrative illustrates the complex and shifting allegiances during Partition. As a resident of Jammu Kashmir, his family found themselves caught between the newly formed nations of India and Pakistan. The region's eventual accession to India and the subsequent Indo-Pakistani war led to a mass exodus of civilians. Preetam's family supported the Indian army and later migrated to Nepal, where they have lived for over six decades. His reflections on the period reveal a deep longing for a time when such divisions did not exist.

20:23

📚 A Lawyer's Family Displaced

Pratap Kumar Hora's story is one of displacement and resilience. Born in 1937, his family's life was upended by the violence of Partition. His sisters were forced to leave their boarding school due to attacks, prompting the family to send the children to a relative's home in Banaras for safety. The family's eventual move to Bulandshahar, Uttar Pradesh, is described, along with the stark contrast to their previous life in Kasur. Despite the hardships and the struggle for survival, Pratap's family managed to regain their footing and prosper, demonstrating the indomitable human spirit.

25:23

🌏 The Lingering Wounds of Partition

The final paragraph encapsulates the lasting legacy of Partition, highlighting the enduring pain and shattered dreams of those who lived through it. Mansoor Alam's story is a testament to this, as his family's migration to East Pakistan during Partition altered the course of his life. Even after seven and a half decades, the emotional wounds of Partition remain unhealed, serving as a stark reminder of the human cost of such historical events.

Keywords

💡Partition of 1947

The Partition of 1947 refers to the division of British India into two separate nations, India and Pakistan, along religious lines. This event was a defining moment in the history of the Indian subcontinent, leading to communal violence, mass migration, and the displacement of millions. The video script highlights the personal stories of those affected by the partition, emphasizing the human cost and the lasting impact on the lives of survivors.

💡Divide and Rule

The 'Divide and Rule' policy refers to the strategy employed by the British colonial authorities to maintain control by exploiting and exacerbating existing differences among the Indian population, particularly along religious lines. This policy is mentioned in the context of how it led to escalating communal hostilities, which ultimately contributed to the violence and unrest during the Partition.

💡Calcutta Riots of 1946

The Calcutta Riots of 1946, also known as the Great Calcutta Killing, were a series of violent Hindu-Muslim riots in the city of Calcutta. These riots left thousands dead and are highlighted in the script as a precursor to the larger-scale violence that occurred during the Partition, illustrating the escalating tensions in the region.

💡Lord Louis Mountbatten

Lord Louis Mountbatten was the last Viceroy of British India and played a pivotal role in the process of India's independence and the subsequent Partition. The script mentions his decision to expedite the transfer of power from June 1948 to August 15, 1947, which had significant consequences on the speed of the Partition and the preparation for the massive migration that followed.

💡Sir Cyril Radcliffe

Sir Cyril Radcliffe was the English barrister tasked with drawing the boundary lines between India and Pakistan. Despite having never visited the region before, he had a short time to make decisions that would affect millions of lives. His role in the Partition is a poignant reminder of the complexities and challenges of such a monumental task.

💡Migration

The term 'Migration' in the context of the video refers to the mass movement of people across the newly formed borders of India and Pakistan. It was one of the largest migrations in human history, with nearly 15 million people displaced, leading to widespread suffering and loss. The video shares personal accounts of this migration, emphasizing the human tragedy and the challenges faced by those who were forced to leave their homes.

💡Humanitarian Crisis

A 'Humanitarian Crisis' is a situation where basic human needs such as food, water, and shelter are severely compromised, often due to conflict or disaster. The video describes the Partition as unfolding a humanitarian crisis, with millions displaced, and many facing violence, abduction, and rape, highlighting the scale of the suffering and the urgent needs of the affected populations.

💡Communal Violence

Communal violence refers to the violent conflicts between different religious or ethnic communities. The script recounts how the Partition led to widespread communal violence, with Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs turning against each other, resulting in bloodshed, abductions, rapes, and suicides. This term captures the essence of the chaos and the deep divisions that the Partition created.

💡Survivors

The term 'Survivors' in the video refers to the individuals who lived through the traumatic events of the Partition. Their stories are central to the narrative, providing firsthand accounts of the horrors they witnessed and the lives they were forced to rebuild. The video emphasizes the resilience and the lasting impact of their experiences on their personal lives and identities.

💡Rape and Abduction

The script mentions the atrocities of rape and abduction that occurred during the Partition, particularly targeting women and girls. These acts of violence were not only crimes against individuals but also served to terrorize communities and exacerbate the chaos. The video acknowledges the unique and often overlooked ways in which women were affected by the Partition.

💡Refugees

Refugees are individuals who have been forced to flee their homes due to violence or persecution. The video describes how many families, like that of Bhagwan Das Taneja, became refugees in their own country, seeking safety in a new region. The term 'refugees' captures the displacement and the struggle for survival that many faced in the aftermath of the Partition.

Highlights

The partition of 1947 was a defining event in the history of the Indian subcontinent.

Communal violence, bloodshed, and abductions were among the horrors of partition.

The Calcutta riots of 1946 marked a significant escalation of communal hostilities in British India.

Lord Louis Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of British India, expedited the British withdrawal process.

The transfer of power was rescheduled from June 1948 to August 15, 1947, leading to disastrous consequences.

Sir Cyril Radcliffe, who had never visited India before, was tasked with drawing the boundary.

The partition led to the greatest migration in human history, displacing nearly 15 million people.

Bhagwan Das Taneja's family migrated to India by rail, escaping the violence.

Illa Banerjee's life took a drastic turn in 1950 due to riots, leading her family to move to India.

Preetam Singh's family migrated to Nepal after the first Indo-Pakistani war.

Pratap Kumar Hora's family became refugees in India after the partition.

Partition affected women differently, with many experiencing rape, kidnapping, and sexual assault.

The emotional effects of partition on real people, particularly women, were profound and lasting.

Mansoor Alam's family migrated to East Pakistan, shattering his dreams for the future.

The wounds of those who lived through partition may never fully heal, leaving a lasting legacy.

Transcripts

[Music]

dj

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the partition of 1947 the single most

defining event in the history of the

indian subcontinent

the memories which leave survivors

teary-eyed to this day

communal violence bloodshed abductions

rapes suicides and looting the horrors

of partition are far from forgotten

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in today's show we'll get you the voices

of people who have witnessed the

deadliest bloodshed in indian history as

children

but did it all begin in 1947

not exactly

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incited by the british divide and rule

policy communal hostilities had been

escalating in british india

the calcutta riots of 1946 also known as

the great calcutta killing were four

days of massive hindu muslim riots in

the capital of bengal india

it left an estimated 5 000 dead

on february 20th 1947 clement attel the

then british prime minister declared

that britain would quit india in june

1948.

to handle the exit the new viceroy

arrived in delhi on march 1947

lord louis mountbatten

the last viceroy of british india

his task was to prepare a plan for the

transfer of power and to expediate the

process of british withdrawal

initially he was given time until june

1948

not 1947

to complete his mission

but he was in a hurry to get back to

britain

on june 3rd 1947 he announced his new

plan

the date of transfer of power was

changed from june 1948 to august 15

1947.

this had disastrous consequences the

subcontinent was partitioned into two

independent nation states

hindu majority india and the muslim

majority pakistan

english barrister sir cyril radcliffe

was given the task of drawing the

boundary

it is interesting to note that radcliffe

had never visited the country prior to

this visit

he had five weeks to divide the then

british colony into the new independent

nations

the fate of millions of people was

sealed and a humanitarian crisis

unfolded

the new borders which split the key

provinces of the punjab and bengal in

two were officially approved on august

17 1947.

this was the beginning of the greatest

migration in human history

muslims left for west pakistan and east

pakistan where millions of hindus and

sikhs headed in the opposite direction

nearly 15 million people were displaced

approximately one million were killed

around 83 000 girls and women were raped

or abducted

and then there was those who survived

bhagwan das tanija was born in october

3rd 1939

in kaluchi a city in the dairy ishmael

khan districts of the khyber pashtunkwa

province

tunisia grew up in a close-knit family

of five

he says his neighborhood hindus like

himself muslims and sikhs lived in

harmony until july

he was eight years old when things

changed seemingly overnight

rioters from outside the city attacked

residents looted their houses and set

ablaze places of worship

the terrified tunisia family decided to

migrate to india

foreign

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in august 14 1947 by rail his family was

among the fortunate ones

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they arrived in india on the eve of

independence but the sorrow of leaving

their home overshadowed the joy of

attaining independents

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they

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as refugees in india the family was

allotted a house in lashpat nagar in

free india's

but the struggle of finding a living was

real including for the then

eight-year-old child

yeah

growing up tunisia excelled in maths he

went on to become a store owner just

like his father

he married pushpa and together they had

four beautiful children but he still

yearns for the good old days on the

other side of the borders

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today

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having witnessed both the indian

pakistan partition in the 1984 riots

tunisia says his definition of religion

has changed over the years

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hinduism

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while statistics give us some idea of

the scale of migration that took place

it does not reveal the deeply emotional

effects the partition had on real people

particularly women

but partition like other conflicts and

wars affected women differently

a lot has been written about the women

being raped kidnapped murdered and

sexually assaulted during and after

partition

however it is limiting only to discuss

women as victims of sexual violence it

is critical to acknowledge stories of

how it affected them in other ways

meet illa banerjee

a great-grandmother a foodie a woman

full of life and a partitioned survivor

born in 1936 in my mind singh in the

eastern side of british india

illa lived an ordinary life and attended

school in the district till 1950.

east pakistan

but her life took a 360 degree turn in

1950 when the riots erupted in her

district

the only option to live was to move to

india

fifties

within days the family decided to move

to jamshedpur india to a relative's

house but in the midst of this illa lost

her father he had gone to calcutta to

arrange his family's migration

m

her mother did not change the plan made

by her late husband and

fourteen-year-old ila along with her

sister and her newborn left for

jamshidpur via air

what 45

along with her siblings continued their

education in india but there were some

initial challenges

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84 years old now illa lives with her

daughter

mukherjee in

delhi my mother is the person with the

least material expectations in life she

is happy and satisfied with very little

and has and she can adapt to any kind of

circumstances she can leave live in one

room or she can live in a palace and it

makes no difference to her whatsoever

soon after her marriage ilav returned to

bangladesh with her husband it was a

bittersweet experience one that she does

not want to repeat again

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once a jammu kashmir resident preetim

now lives in kathmandu nepal

he was 12 years old when british india

was divided in two

1947 japanese

is

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in 1947 when the partition happened the

princely state of jammu kashmir was

neither part of india nor part of the

newly formed pakistan

maharaja hari singh of jammu kashmir

along with his prime minister rama

chandra decided not to accede to either

dominion

but everything changed in 1948.

look in 1948 mccain

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foreign

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this was the start of the first

indu-pakistani war to escape the

conflict many civilians vacated their

villages

prietam singh says his father helped the

indian army in providing food and

shelter

after the war subsided his family

migrated to nepal where they have been

living for over six decades

but he continues to visit his ancestral

home

in pakistan

foreign

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nearly 90 pretend singh is enjoying his

second innings in life

reflecting on the tumultuous period of

the 1940s he says he still wishes the

lines were never drawn

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meet pratap kumar hora

he migrated from pakistan to india

born in 1937 in kashir a region south of

lahore

in the pakistani province of punjab

pratap was the youngest of six siblings

his father nand gopal hora was a

successful lawyer while his mother rani

bhaihora whom he lost at a very young

age was a freedom fighter

my father was a

leading

lawyer

at kasur and

we had our own

house which was almost three three story

house

i was unlucky that my mother died

when i was almost three and a half years

old

their lives changed in 1947 his older

sisters who were studying in a boarding

school in lahore were asked to go home

their hostel had been attacked by

rioters

my sisters were studying at lahore and

just

end of july

it was that hostel was cordoned off by

bad elements

they writers and it was planning of

those writers to abduct the

girls military police

intervened

and

facilitated the

girls to go along to their parents with

their parents to their houses

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pratap's father decided to send his

children to a relative's home in banaras

on august 6th the siblings cut a train

to india to be on the safer side

that

myself and my two sisters go to banaras

to our uncle

uncle

so he

sent us

to banaras on 6th of august

with my

other uncle

the following week their father on the

advice of his muslim accountant left his

home in kashur never to return

14th day

his assistant

main assistant

which

is called munshi

came to him and informed him that

muslims from

lahore

have come

and planned

that they will attack hindu homes on

14th night they will loot

and murder the occupants so you please

you leave

otherwise

i will not be able to save you

so he

he was hardly 200 meters stationed from

our house

so he took a train for abrasive

with the help of their extended family

the horror family relocated to bulan

shar

a city in uttar pradesh suddenly they

had become refugees

when my father settled down at buland

shahad

and the whole family

went there to

live there

so it was a

big contrast

to what we were used to

at kazoos

we had a very big koti

which had

space for

cows

and their

storage house for their father

and this was small rooms

four in a line

bathroom did not have a

door so we put a curtain our goals

have to

but we had to adjust what to do

his wife lata hora says she treasures

the family heirloom

carried across the border during

partitioning

foreign

their fight for survival in india was

real

but the family never quit

slowly they managed to get back on their

feet going from strength to strength

i've struggled yes

struggled but struggle

and with the grace of god

come out successful

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this is mansoor alam he was a child when

his family migrated to east pakistan

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the partition shattered the dreams he

had for his future

seven and a half decades have passed

perhaps the wounds of those who live

through it will never fully heal

this is the lasting legacy of partition

so

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