Question

Describe the process that was adopted to make the partition of British India in 1947 as per the Two-Nation theory.

Hint:

Explain the Two-Nation theory of the Muslim League and give six points: religious majority basis, Punjab and Bengal, districts, two Pakistans, the Frontier and the princely states.

Answer 1

Step 1: Two-Nation theory:
The Muslim League held that Hindus and Muslims were two separate nations. It demanded a separate country for Muslims, which became Pakistan.
The partition of 1947 was carried out on the basis of this idea.

Step 2: Point 1: religious majority:
It was decided that areas with a Muslim majority would go to Pakistan. The rest would stay with India.
This was the main rule of the division.

Step 3: Point 2: two parts of Pakistan:
There were two areas of Muslim majority, one in the west and one in the east. They were far apart.
So Pakistan was created in two parts, West Pakistan and East Pakistan, with India in between.

Step 4: Point 3: Punjab and Bengal:
Not every Muslim majority area was one block. Punjab and Bengal had large non-Muslim populations in some parts.
So these two provinces were themselves divided.

Step 5: Point 4: district level:
The division of Punjab and Bengal was done on the basis of districts and even smaller units. The border was drawn by a boundary commission.
Many people were found on the wrong side of the line.

Step 6: Point 5: Frontier and other regions:
Some leaders in the North West Frontier Province, such as Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, did not accept the Two-Nation theory.
Their voice was not respected, and the region went to Pakistan.

Step 7: Point 6: the problem of minorities:
Large groups of Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims were left as minorities on the other side of the border.
This led to violence and large scale migration.

Final Answer:
Partition was made on the basis of Muslim majority areas, through the division of Punjab and Bengal at district level, with Pakistan in two parts.