ASIA 331H/331H/PWAD 331H/HIST 335H: Cracking India: Partition and its Legacy in South Asia

The Partition of India in 1947 was an incredibly tumultuous event, characterized by unprecedented mass migration, upheaval and violence. This event, precipitated by a hasty decision on the part of the deposed British, to carve Pakistan out of India, still has huge consequences in the region. Course materials will include works of fiction, first-person accounts, essays by nationalist leaders, and historical writings, as well as films and documentaries. Readings and films represent a range of experiences by people of different religious communities, regions, and language groups. Their stories illustrate not only the physical violence and economic toll of Partition, but also the psychological and emotional effects on the people who lived through it. To conclude, we will reflect upon how Partition still affects regional politics and contributes to communal tensions today. HS, BN, GL.