Understanding Partition Politics, Memories, Experiences History - Understanding Partition Politics, Memories, Experiences

Examine the significance of enclosing agricultural land within the fortified area of the city of Vijayanagara.

‘‘The relationship between India and Pakistan has been profoundly shaped by the legacy of partition.’’ Explain any two consequences of it.

Examine the events that took place during 1920s and 1930s which consolidated the communal identities in the country.

Examine the outcome of the battle of Rakshasi-Tangadi (Talikota).

Read the following passage and answer the question that follows: 'Arya Samaj, A North Indian Hindu reform organization of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, particularly active in Punjab (tried to bring back Hindus who had converted to some other religion) which sought to revive Vedic learning and combine it with modern education in the sciences'.
Illustrate how the values integrated with the rich Indian literature paved way for the scientific development of modern India.

"Many historians still remain sceptical of oral history." Examine the statement.

A small basket of grapes
This is what Khushdeva Singh writes about his experience during one of his visits to Karachi in 1949:
My friends took me to a room at the airport where we all sat down and talked... (and) had lunch together. I had to travel from Karachi to London... at 2.30 a.m. ... At 5.00 p.m. ... I told my friends that they had given me so generously of their time, I thought it would be too much for them to wait the whole night and suggested they must spare themselves the trouble. But nobody
left until it was dinner time...
Then they said they were leaving and that I must have a little rest before emplaning. ... I got up, at about 1.45 a.m. and, when I opened the door, I saw that all of them were still there...
They all accompanied me to the plane, and, before parting, presented me with a small basket of grapes. I had no words to express my gratitude for the overwhelming affection with which I was treated and the happiness this stopover had given me.

1. Give a brief introduction of Khushdeva Singh.
2. How did his friends show their affection for him?
3. Explain how Khushdeva Singh was seen as a symbol of humanity and harmony.
4. How does oral history help historians in reconstructing events of the past?

"Amidst all the turmoil following March 1947, Gandhiji‘s valiant efforts bore fruit to bring harmony among the people." Justify the statement.

"A voice in the wilderness"
Mahatma Gandhi knew that his was "a voice in the wilderness" but he never the less continued to oppose the idea of Partition:
But what a tragic change we see today. I wish the day may come again when Hindus and Muslims will do nothing without mutual consultation. l am day and night tormented by the question what I can do to hasten the coming of that day. I appeal to the League not to regard any Indian as its enemy... Hindus and Muslims are born of the same soil. They have the same blood, eat the same food, drink the same water and speak the same language.
SPEECH AT PRAYER MEETING, 7 SEPTEMBER 1946,
CWMG YOL. 92, P. 139
But I am firmly convinced that the Pakistan demand as put forward by the Muslim League is un-Islamic and I have not hesitated to call it sinful. Islam stands for the unity and brotherhood of mankind, not for disrupting the oneness of the human family. Therefore, those who want to divide India into possible warring groups are enemies alike of Islam and India. They may cut me to pieces but they cannot make me subscribe to something which I consider to be wrong.
HARIJAN, 26 SEPTEMBER 1946, CWMG YOL. 92, P. 229

1. Explain what did Gandhiji wish to see again.
2. Explain how the demand for Pakistan was un-Islamic.
3. Why did Mahatma Gandhi say that his voice was voice in the wilderness? Explain.

What " recovering" women meant
Here is the experience of a couple, recounted by Prakash Tandon in his Punjabi Century, an autobiographical social history of colonial Punjab:
In one instance, a Sikh youth who had 'run amuck during the Partition persuaded a massacring crowd to let him take away a young, beautiful Muslim girl. They got married, and slowly fell in love with each other. Gradually memories of her parents, who had been killed, and her former life faded. They were happy together, and a little boy was born. Soon, however, social workers and the police, labouring assiduously to recover abducted women, began to track down the couple. They made inquiries in the Sikhs home-district of Jalandhar; he got scent of it and the family ran away to Calcutta. The social workers reached Calcutta. Meanwhile, the couple's friends tried to obtain a stay-order from the court but the law was taking its ponderous course. From Calcutta the couple escaped to some obscure Punjab village, hoping that the police would fail to shadow them. But the police caught up with them and began to question them. His wife was expecting again and now nearing her time. The Sikh sent the little boy to his mother and took his wife to a sugar-cane field. He made her as comfortable as he could in a pit while he lay with a gun, waiting for the police, determined not to lose her while he was alive. In the pit he delivered her with his own hands. The next day she ran high fever, and in three days she was dead. He had not dared to take her to the hospital. He was so afraid of the social workers and the police would take her away.

1. Describe the tragic experience of the Sikh youth who persuaded the killers to let him take the girl with him.
2. Why did the social workers and police want to recover the Muslim girl?
3. Explain the relations between both, the Muslim girl and the Sikh youth.
4. How did the girl die? Explain.

What was the main reason for announcing 'Direct Action Day' by the Muslim League in August 1946?