Emergence of Pakistan Unit 8 PDF

UNIT NO.8 EMERGENCE OF PAKISTAN Presented by Shazia Safwan  Plan of India’s Division and the emergence of Pakistan Division of Provinces and Referendum Important events (during the partition)  Plan of India’s Division and the emergence...

UNIT NO.8 EMERGENCE OF PAKISTAN Presented by Shazia Safwan  Plan of India’s Division and the emergence of Pakistan Division of Provinces and Referendum Important events (during the partition)  Plan of India’s Division and the emergence of Pakistan The division of India in 1947 and the emergence of Pakistan was the conclusion of complex political, social, and religious developments that had been building for decades. This event, known as Partition, led to the creation of two independent dominions: India and Pakistan. The partition is one of the most significant and traumatic events in the history of the Indian subcontinent, with profound long- term consequences. Historical Background India had been under British colonial rule since the mid-18th century, with the British East India Company initially controlling much of the subcontinent, followed by direct control by the British Crown after the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Over time, British policies fostered divisions between different religious and ethnic groups, particularly between Hindus and Muslims, who were the two largest religious communities.  Growth of Nationalism By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, nationalist movements emerged, calling for greater self-governance and independence from British rule. The Indian National Congress (INC), founded in 1885, was the main political party leading the struggle for independence. On the other hand, the All-India Muslim League was established in 1906, initially to safeguard Muslim interests within the British Indian Empire. Roots of Partition: The Hindu-Muslim Divide While the Indian National Congress advocated for a united India, where both Hindus and Muslims could coexist, the Muslim League gradually pushed for a separate state for Muslims.  This shift was based on several key issues: 1. Religious Differences 2. Political Representation 3. Demand for Pakistan 4. Two-Nation Theory World War II and the Move Toward Independence WorldWar II had a significant impact on British control over India. The war drained British resources and weakened their hold over the empire. Duringthe war, the British government had promised to grant India independence, but the details were unclear. In1942, the Congress Party launched the Quit India Movement, demanding immediate independence. However, the British arrested many Congress leaders, and the movement was suppressed.  On the other hand, the Muslim League saw the war as an opportunity to push its demand for Pakistan. Post-War Developments and the Demand for Partition After World War II, Britain faced increased pressure to decolonize due to its weakened economy and rising global calls for self-determination. By the mid- 1940s, the political situation in India had become highly polarized between the Congress Party and the Muslim League. 1. 1945-1946 Elections: In the 1945-1946 elections for provincial assemblies, the Congress won the majority of seats overall, but the Muslim League won almost all the seats reserved for Muslims. 2.Cabinet Mission Plan (1946): The plan suggested a united India with a federal structure, giving significant autonomy to the provinces. However, this proposal was rejected by both the Congress and the Muslim League for different reasons.  Direct Action Day: On August 16, 1946, Jinnah called for Direct Action 3. Day to demonstrate Muslim solidarity for the creation of Pakistan. This led to widespread public violence, especially in Calcutta (now Kolkata), where thousands of people were killed in Hindu-Muslim riots. The violence marked the beginning of the public unrest that would only intensify in the months leading up to Partition. The Plan for Partition: The Mountbatten Plan In1947, with the situation failing and public violence spreading, the British government decided to advance India's independence. Lord Louis Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, was sent with the task of overseeing the transfer of power. Herealized that keeping India united was unlikely, and he worked with Congress and the Muslim League to divide the country.  1.Mountbatten Plan (June 3, 1947): The Mountbatten Plan, also known as the Indian Independence Act, was announced on June 3, 1947. It provided for the partition of British India into two independent dominions—India and Pakistan—based on religious majorities. India would be a Hindu-majority state, and Pakistan would consist of Muslim- majority areas in the west (modern-day Pakistan) and the east (modern-day Bangladesh, then known as East Pakistan). 2.Radcliffe Line: A boundary commission, led by Sir Cyril Radcliffe, was set up to fix the borders between India and Pakistan. The Radcliffe Line was drawn quickly and based on religious demographics, but it ignored many local factors and community links. Radcliffe had little time (five weeks) and no prior experience of India, which led to random and contentious borders.  3.Division of Provinces: Punjab and Bengal, two of the largest provinces in British India, were divided along religious lines. This division caused mass migrations, as Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan and Muslims in India wanted to move to their respective countries. The Outcome: Violence and Migration Thepartition triggered one of the largest and most violent mass migrations in history. An estimated 10-15 million people were displaced, as Hindus and Sikhs fled to India and Muslims fled to Pakistan. The process was accompanied by terrible public violence, with an estimated 1- 2 million people killed in the rioting, massacres, and mass killings committed by both sides.  Communal Riots: Citieslike Delhi, Lahore, Amritsar, and Calcutta became epicenters of the violence. Trains carrying refugees between India and Pakistan were often attacked. Women and children were particularly vulnerable, and there were widespread reports of abductions, rapes, and forced conversions. Kashmir Conflict: The princely state of Kashmir, with a Muslim-majority population but ruled by a Hindu king, became an immediate flashpoint between India and Pakistan, leading to the first Indo-Pakistani War (1947-1948). Kashmir remains a contested region between the two nations to this day.  Creation of Pakistan and Independence On August 14, 1947, Pakistan officially became an independent state, with Muhammad Ali Jinnah as its first Governor-General and Liaquat Ali Khan as its first Prime Minister. Pakistan was divided into two geographically separate regions—West Pakistan (modern-day Pakistan) and East Pakistan (modern-day Bangladesh). On August 15, 1947, India became an independent dominion with Jawaharlal Nehru as its first Prime Minister. Mahatma Gandhi, who had been a central figure in the struggle for independence, was deeply saddened by the partition and the ensuing violence.  Long-term Consequences of Partition 1.Legacy of Division: The partition of India and the creation of Pakistan left a legacy of hostility and mistrust between the two nations, leading to several wars and ongoing conflict, particularly over Kashmir. 2.Ethnic and Religious Tensions: The division rooted religious identities, and both India and Pakistan have faced internal challenges related to religious and ethnic diversity. 3.Political Instability in Pakistan: Pakistan faced political instability from the outset, compounded by the fact that it was divided into two regions (East and West Pakistan) with little in common culturally or economically. 4.Impact on Refugees: The displacement of millions of people created refugee crises in both India and Pakistan, which took years to resolve.  Division of Provinces and Referendum Thedivision of provinces and the use of a referendum are two key political and legal processes used in many countries when creating new administrative regions or altering existing ones. Thisusually involves splitting a province or state into smaller provinces or merging them with others, typically for reasons related to governance, resource management, or local demand for autonomy. 1. Division of Provinces: It refers to the process where a province (or state) is split into two or more smaller administrative regions. This is often driven by political, social, economic, or cultural factors. The creation of new provinces aims to bring about more efficient administration, better resource allocation, or respond to calls for local autonomy.  There are several reasons why a country might decide to divide a province: Administrative Efficiency: Large provinces or states may be difficult to 1. manage due to their size or population. By dividing them, the government can create smaller units that are easier to govern. 2.Cultural or Ethnic Differences: In regions where there are distinct cultural, ethnic, or linguistic groups, dividing provinces can address tensions and provide better governance that is sensitive to local cultures. 3.Economic Reasons: If a region within a province has significantly more or fewer resources, dividing it can help balance economic development. Localized governance allows for better management of resources and tailored economic policies.  Political Reasons: Sometimes political factors, such as a desire for more 4. autonomy, better representation, or pressure from local leaders, drive the division of provinces. Political parties may support the division to gain political influence in newly formed regions. 5.Geographical Factors: A province may have regions that are geographically remote or isolated, making it difficult to administer effectively from a central provincial capital. Legal Process for Division: it involves the following steps: Proposal Stage: Political leaders, either from the central government or 1. the local province, may propose the division. In some cases, local citizens demand the division. 2.Consultation and Debate: Public consultations, expert committees, and legislative debates take place to assess the necessity and feasibility of the division.  3. Legislative Approval: The proposal must often be approved by both the local provincial legislature and the national parliament or congress. 4. Referendum (in some cases): A referendum may be held to gauge public support for the division, especially if there are significant differences of opinion or the division has long-term political and economic consequences. 5. Implementation: If the division is approved, the new provincial boundaries are drawn, and administrative systems are set up to govern the newly formed provinces.  2. Referendum: A referendum is a direct vote by the electorate on a specific proposal, issue, or policy. In the context of province division, a referendum is often used to ask the population of the affected area whether they support the proposed division. Types of Referenda: 1. Mandatory Referendum: This type is required by law before certain types of decisions can be made. For example, in some countries, constitutional changes or changes to the administrative structure of the country (such as dividing provinces) must be approved by referendum. 2. Optional or Advisory Referendum: In this case, a referendum may be held to seek the public's opinion on a particular issue, but the outcome is not necessarily binding. 3. Binding vs. Non-Binding: A binding referendum means that the government is legally obligated to implement the decision made by the public. A non-binding referendum is more of a consultation, and the government can decide whether to act on the results or not.  Conclusion: The division of provinces and the use of a referendum are significant tools for reshaping the political and administrative boundaries of a country. Theseprocesses can help improve governance, address local concerns, or enhance representation, but they can also lead to challenges, including economic, political, and social complications. Incases where public support is uncertain or divided, a referendum allows citizens to have a direct say in the future of their region, ensuring democratic legitimacy for decisions about territorial changes.  Important events (during the partition) The Partition of India in 1947 was one of the most significant and traumatic events in the history of the Indian subcontinent, marking the end of British colonial rule and the creation of two independent nations—India and Pakistan. The process of partition was accompanied by mass migrations, widespread communal violence, and long-lasting political and social consequences. Below are the important events during the partition of India: 1. Demand for Partition (1940) 2. World War II and the Quit India Movement 3. Cabinet Mission Plan (1946) 4. Direct Action Day (August 16, 1946) 5. Mountbatten Plan 6. Radcliffe Line and Boundary Commission 7. Independence and Partition (August 15, 1947) 8. Mass Migration and Communal Violence (1947)  9. Princely States and Integration (1947-1948) BritishIndia was divided into provinces directly governed by the British and 562 princely states. The princely states were given the option to join either India or Pakistan or remain independent. Some princely states, such as Hyderabad, Junagadh, and Kashmir, became contentious issues. Kashmir, in particular, became a flashpoint, leading to the first India-Pakistan War in late 1947. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs, led the efforts to integrate the princely states into India. 10. Gandhi's Assassination (January 30, 1948) Mahatma Gandhi, who had worked tirelessly to prevent partition and then to stop the communal violence after independence, was assassinated by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist, on January 30, 1948. Godse opposed Gandhi's stance on Hindu-Muslim unity and blamed him for being overly conciliatory toward Muslims. 11. Refugee Crisis and Rehabilitation (1947-1950s) Thepartition created an unprecedented refugee crisis, with millions of people crossing borders in both directions. The Indian and Pakistani governments struggled to deal with the vast numbers of displaced people. Refugee camps were set up, and both governments worked on rehabilitating people, but the scale of the crisis made it extremely challenging. 12. Division of Assets and Military (1947-1948) Afterpartition, the assets of British India, including the military, civil services, railways, and treasury, had to be divided between India and Pakistan. This division created further complications, as there were disagreements over the allocation of resources, especially in the context of the ongoing communal violence. 13. Kashmir Conflict (October 1947 onwards) Theprincely state of Kashmir, ruled by a Hindu Maharaja but with a Muslim majority population, became a major point of conflict. The Maharaja decided to accede to India, leading to a military conflict between India and Pakistan, known as the First Kashmir War (1947-1948). This conflict laid the foundation for the long-standing Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan, which remains unresolved to this day. Conclusion: The partition of India was not just a political event but a deeply traumatic experience for millions of people. Itled to mass migrations, widespread violence, and the creation of two independent nations—India and Pakistan. The legacy of partition still affects India-Pakistan relations, particularly in the context of Kashmir, and its social and emotional scars continue to be felt across generations in both countries.