Partition of India
It ended British Crown rule and created the modern Republic of India, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and later the People's Republic of Bangladesh.
- Resulting States
- Union of India, Dominion of Pakistan
- Displaced People
- 12 to 20 million
- Estimated Deaths
- 200,000 to 2 million (disputed)
- Provinces Divided
- Bengal and Punjab
- Princely States Affected
- Hyderabad, Jammu and Kashmir, and others chose independence
Lore & Background
The League demanded separate electorates for Muslims, reflecting fears of Hindu majority rule.
Reader's Guide
The partition of India remains a pivotal event in South Asian history, creating lasting hostility between India and Pakistan. The mass migration of 12 to 20 million people along religious lines and the large-scale violence, with disputed death estimates between 200,000 and two million, produced overwhelming refugee crises. The partition did not cover the earlier separations of Burma and Ceylon, nor the later incorporation of French India or Portuguese India. The princely states, released from British obligations, were left to decide accession, with some like Hyderabad and Jammu and Kashmir choosing independence initially.
Did You Know?
- The partition involved the division of the British Indian Army, Royal Indian Navy, Indian Civil Service, railways, and central treasury.
- The term partition of India does not cover the earlier separations of Burma and Ceylon from British India.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Partition of India?
The Partition of India was the 1947 division of British Indian territory into two new nations: the Union of India and the Dominion of Pakistan. It marked the formal end of British Crown rule over the subcontinent.
How many people were displaced or killed during Partition?
An estimated 12 to 20 million people were uprooted from their homes as communities were split along religious lines. Deaths from the accompanying violence are variously placed between 200,000 and 2 million, and the true figure remains disputed.
Which provinces were actually divided between the new countries?
Two provinces were carved into separate Indian and Pakistani portions: Bengal and Punjab. The division of these two regions triggered the largest mass migration in recorded history.
What happened to princely states like Hyderabad and Jammu and Kashmir?
Unlike the directly administered provinces, princely states such as Hyderabad and Jammu and Kashmir were not automatically assigned to either new nation. They were given the option to decide their own allegiance, which led to prolonged political disputes over their final status.
Which modern countries trace their origin to Partition?
The Partition directly created the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. A third nation, the People's Republic of Bangladesh, later emerged from the eastern portion of Pakistan in 1971.
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