When Partition of India happened: Things that were divided

The Partition of India finally took place on 14th August 1947. A large group of people migrated between India and Pakistan and many died on their way. This is the story deeply engraved in the minds of every citizen of the subcontinent. Various stories of religious massacres of those times became famous. But today we will know more about what else was partitioned.

People migrate with their families. Image Source: The New York Times.

Lord Mountbatten came to India as the “Last Viceroy”, to hand over India to the Indians. It was very well decided that the partition process would be completed by July 1948. He tried to reason with the leaders of Congress and the Muslim League. But, Jinnah was not ready to accept anything but a country for the Muslims.

Partition was inevitable. Everyone except Gandhi wanted it. Therefore, East Pakistan and West Pakistan were created with India sandwiched between them. Princely states were given the option of joining either of the two new domains created or an independent status. Every asset of British India would have to be fairly divided. This ranged from the Indian Army, treasury to even the stamps at the post office.

Each and every item of the subcontinent had to be split up. There was not enough time for this. The British had 73 days in their hands. According to a few historians, Congress got a good deal-the name ‘INDIA’ instead of Hindustan. Pakistan was to be used for the other nation.

Did you know the meaning behind the word Pakistan? This word was coined by Choudhry Rehmat Ali in the 1930's, 'P' stands for Punjab, 'A' for the Afghans in the north-western part of the subcontinent, 'K' for Kashmir and 'S' for Sind. Hence, the word PAK! In Urdu, Pak is a religious term, meaning purity. Pakistan ideally was the best name for a newly formed dominion.

The British owed Indians a large amount of money. Now the problem that arose was: "How much each country gets?" In many cases, India was supposed to get 80% of the split, while Pakistan received the remaining 20%. 80% of the brooms, government desks, tables, chairs, etc. were left behind in India. 20% of those items were taken to Pakistan.

Imagine the situation at that time. The government officials visit different public offices and count the number of tables, chairs, desks, brooms, etc. And later on, an order is placed that this certain amount of stuff should be taken to the other country.

The funny part of this story is that department heads would hide the best typewriters. Sometimes, substitute the stuff to be taken away with broken furniture. Why give away good stuff when you can replace them with the broken ones? Serious arguments were held over dividing dishes and silverware in the government residences. Also, the beautiful portraits that hung along the walls.

There was one place where India had it all for them-the wine cellar. Muslims do not drink, and Hindus were just too happy to get it.

Dictionaries from the library had to be ripped into halves. 'A' to 'K' stayed back in India, while the rest were going to Pakistan. Encyclopedia Britannica had to be divided now. The countries would get alternate volumes. Bigger problems arose with two books. Which nation would have the Wuthering Heights and the Alice in Wonderland?

The assets of the Kennel’s Club stayed in India and the Viceroy’s own white train was given to Pakistan. The instruments of the police band had to be divided:

Pakistan got a flute,

India got a drum,

Again, Pakistan got the trumpet,

India got a pair of Cymbals.

And this went on.

Some assets could not be divided. Example: Humans. All the government officials were given the freedom to choose which nation they would love to serve. Pakistan demanded to take away the Taj Mahal. It was built by the Mughals and therefore was a Muslim property. Indians (read Hindus) also claimed that the sacred Indus river belonged to them because their sacred books were written along the banks of that river. Similar demands went on for a long time.

The desire to equalise every asset of the subcontinent between the two brother nations was very strong. No one wanted to part with precious possessions. But religion played its game so well that people were ready to give up everything that once belonged to them.

An old hardbound copy of Alice in wonderland. Image Source: Flickr.