The greatest source of conflict during the partition of India was the religious divide between Hindus and Muslims. The demand for a separate homeland for Muslims and the ensuing violence led to widespread riots, displacement, and loss of life.
So let us examine the query more closely
As an expert in Indian history and partition studies, I can provide a detailed answer to the question on the greatest source of conflict during the partition of India.
The religious divide between Hindus and Muslims was undeniably the greatest source of conflict during the partition of India. The demand for a separate homeland for Muslims, led by the All India Muslim League under the leadership of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, sparked intense animosity and communal tensions between the two major religious communities.
The partition of India in 1947 resulted in the creation of two nations: India, with a Hindu majority, and Pakistan, with a Muslim majority. It was the culmination of years of political, social, and religious tensions, primarily caused by the divergence between the visions of a united India by the Indian National Congress and the Two-Nation Theory propagated by the Muslim League.
The religious differences between Hindus and Muslims were amplified during the partition, leading to widespread violence, riots, and displacement. The communal riots that erupted across various regions resulted in the loss of countless lives and the migration of millions of people. It is estimated that around 15 million Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims were displaced during the partition, making it one of the largest mass migrations in history.
To illustrate the significance of this religious conflict, Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Indian independence movement, stated, “I am proud of my country, India, for having produced the religious tolerance and universal acceptance of the Quran. I am not less proud of my countrymen for having produced the Bible and the Vedas. I have seen adherents of all these great faiths in this land. I endorse today the idea of a united front of all who believe in God against every form of domination or against every form of injustice perpetrated in the name of God.”
Here are some interesting facts related to the religious conflict during the partition of India:
-
The two-nation theory, which formed the basis for the demand of a separate homeland for Muslims, was first proposed by the philosopher Sir Syed Ahmed Khan in the late 19th century.
-
The partition of Bengal in 1905, an earlier administrative division along religious lines, was seen as a precursor to the larger partition of India in 1947.
-
The Radcliffe Line, drawn by Sir Cyril Radcliffe as the border between India and Pakistan, was hastily created within a short span of six weeks and led to further confusion and violence.
-
The city of Lahore, previously a center of intellectual exchange and syncretic culture, became divided during the partition, leading to the mass migration of Hindus and Sikhs to India and Muslims to Pakistan.
-
Riots and violence during the partition resulted in widespread atrocities, including abduction, rape, and murder on both sides of the border.
Table: Population Transfers during the Partition (estimated)
| Community | Displaced from India | Displaced from Pakistan |
|---|---|---|
| Hindus | 5 million | 0 |
| Muslims | 0 | 5 million |
| Sikhs | 3 million | 0 |
| Others | 2 million | 0 |
By examining the historical context, analyzing the impact on communities, and delving into the narratives of those affected, it is evident that the religious divide between Hindus and Muslims was the primary cause of conflict during the partition of India. The repercussions of this division continue to shape the sociopolitical landscape of the subcontinent to this day.
Video answer to your question
The video discusses the reasons why India was split into two countries, including a referendum that was supposed to be held by the Muslim population but has not yet happened. The conflict over Kashmir has continued since then, and the legacy of the Partition remains in the new political formations and in the memories of divided families.
There are other opinions
The death of Muhammed Ali Jinnah in 1948, the conflict with India over the Princely State of Kashmir (which both countries claimed at independence), as well as ethnic and religious differences within Pakistan itself, all combined to stymie early attempts to agree on a constitution and an effectively functioning civil administration.
It will be interesting for you
More interesting on the topic
What is the conflict of partition of India?
Response to this: The partition created the independent nations of Muslim-majority Pakistan and Hindu-majority India, separating the provinces of Bengal and Punjab along religious lines, despite the fact that Muslims and Hindus lived in mixed communities throughout the area, Satia said.
What was the greatest challenge after the partition of India?
Answer: Due to the partition, approximately 80 lakh refugees came back to India from Pakistan. The re-habilitation of these refugees was a major challenge. The second challenge was to integrate the 562 small and big princely states into United India.
Why was there violence during the partition of India?
The violence began in Calcutta, Bengal, on August 16, 1946. Muslim League leaders declared this a “Direct Action Day,” calling for a Muslim homeland, and Muslim crowds took these instructions to include violence against Hindu.
What is the main conflict between India and Pakistan?
The response is: The Kashmir conflict is a territorial conflict over the Kashmir region, primarily between India and Pakistan, and also between China and India in the northeastern portion of the region.
How did the partition of British India affect the Indus basin?
The partition of British India created a conflict over the waters of the Indus basin. The newly formed states were at odds over how to share and manage what was essentially a cohesive and unitary network of irrigation. Furthermore, the geography of partition was such that the source rivers of the Indus basin are located in India.
Why was the partition of India so controversial?
The partition was a highly controversial arrangement, and remains a cause of much tension on the Indian subcontinent today. According to American scholar Allen McGrath, many British leaders including the British Viceroy, Mountbatten, were unhappy over the partition of India.
Which two countries came into existence during the partition of India?
As an answer to this: The self-governing countries of Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan came into existence. The partition also saw the division of the British Indian Army, the Royal Indian Navy, the Indian Civil Service, the railways, and the central treasury.
Why did India split into two separate states in 1947?
The answer is: When India was partitioned into two separate states in August 1947, the border between Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan was kept secret until the very last minute. The Punjab was split down the middle and many people did not if they would be living in Pakistan or India.
What happened during the 1947 Partition of India & Pakistan?
The 1947 Partition of the Indian subcontinent into the independent nations of Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan was accompanied by one of the largest mass migrations in human history and violence on a scale that had seldom been seen before.
Why was India partitioned?
Answer: The partition of India is a signal event in world history, not merely in the history of the Indian subcontinent. British rule became established in eastern India around the mid-eighteenth century, and by the early part of the nineteenth century, the British had tightened their grip over considerable portions of the country.
What happened after partition riots in India?
The response is: Gandhi observing the aftermath of partition riots in India. Indian Sikh troops positioned near Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir, in November 1947. India and Pakistan fought a yearlong war over Kashmir that ended with a cease-fire brokered by the United Nations. The region has continued to bedevil the two countries to this day.
Why did India split into two separate states in 1947?
The response is: When India was partitioned into two separate states in August 1947, the border between Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan was kept secret until the very last minute. The Punjab was split down the middle and many people did not if they would be living in Pakistan or India.