Question

Write a short note on the problem of displacement and rehabilitation during India-Pakistan division.

Hint:

When writing about the Partition, always highlight the human dimension. Use words like 'traumatic', 'unprecedented', and 'brutal' to convey the sheer scale of the tragedy. Emphasize that it was not just a political division but a deep human and cultural wound.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The partition of British India into the two independent nations of India and Pakistan on August 14-15, 1947, was a traumatic event that led to one of the largest and most violent mass migrations in human history. The note should focus on the human cost, specifically the problems of displacement and the subsequent challenge of rehabilitation.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The Problem of Displacement:
The division of the provinces of Punjab and Bengal along religious lines triggered a catastrophic chain of events.
- Scale of Migration: An estimated 15 million people were uprooted from their homes. Hindus and Sikhs on the Pakistani side migrated to India, and Muslims on the Indian side migrated to Pakistan.
- Communal Violence: The migration was not peaceful. It was accompanied by brutal, large-scale communal violence. Trains carrying refugees were attacked, and entire villages were massacred. Women were subjected to horrific violence, including abduction and rape.
- Human Suffering: People were forced to abandon their homes, land, and possessions overnight. They traveled on foot, in bullock carts, and on overcrowded trains, facing starvation, disease, and attacks along the way. Millions ended up in makeshift refugee camps in abysmal conditions. It was a complete breakdown of law and order.
The Challenge of Rehabilitation:
For the newly formed governments of India and Pakistan, which were still finding their feet, the task of rehabilitating millions of traumatized and destitute refugees was a colossal challenge.
- Immediate Relief: The first priority was to provide immediate relief in the form of food, shelter, and medical aid in massive refugee camps.
- Economic Rehabilitation: The governments had to find land, housing, and employment for the refugees. In India, an 'evacuee property' system was set up to allot the lands and houses left behind by Muslims to the incoming refugees. New townships were built (e.g., Faridabad, Nilokheri) and vocational training was provided to help people rebuild their lives.
- Long-term Integration: The process was long and painful. While the government made significant efforts, the emotional scars of losing homes, family members, and a way of life remained for generations.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The India-Pakistan division caused a massive problem of displacement, where millions were violently uprooted amidst horrific communal violence. The subsequent rehabilitation was a monumental challenge for the new governments, involving the provision of immediate relief and long-term economic and social integration for the traumatized refugee population.