Two Days, Two Births: When History Changed Forever On 14th And 15th August, Marking The Dawn Of Two Nations

The middle of August, 1947 is a poignant and defining time in the history of South Asia. Two nations were reborn on 14 th and 15 th born out of the disintegration of British India. These two days did not mean only the changing of political borders, but the culmination of a long movement to achieve independence and the beginning of a new, often painful path.

The midnight possession, August 14th, had resulted in the birth of a new country of Pakistan, the country meant to be the homeland of the Muslim population in the subcontinent. On August 15 th, India had its own independence less than 24 hours later, and it was almost 2 centuries of British colonial rule. It was a complicated and dramatic delivery as there was a lot to celebrate and to mourn.

The Partition and Its Aftermath

The British who implemented the partition did it slowly and faulty. The Radcliffe Line which was created to separate the terrain bisected communities, homes and families, without much consideration of existing social or religious harmony. This precipitate partition resulted in one of the biggest mass migrations in human history. The newly drawn border found millions of people on the wrong side whether Muslims or Hindus. There was an unprecedented scale of violence and inter-communal riots which characterized the forced migration.

Hundreds of thousands were killed and many others displaced, rendering them without their homes and living places. This period of turmoil left an indelible mark in the psyche of both countries and in their early years and relations to each other. The division was not only territorial, but it was also a serious communal and emotional scar that still has an effect on the dynamics of the area to the present day.

A Legacy of Independence

The birth has been painful however India as well as Pakistan must have gone into their lives as an independent nation with at least a feeling of hope and determination. Their task was monumental, to create new governments, to develop economic stability, and to develop a national identity. In the case of India, it had to establish a secular democracy that would accommodate the different people. In the case of Pakistan, the concern was directed towards the creation of a modern Islamic republic. Each of the two countries has developed in its unique way.

They have had their share of internal squabbles, conflicts with one another and economic challenges but they have also rejoiced in the huge accomplishment in terms of technological and cultural developments as well as in sports. August 14th and 15 th are national pride days and mark the victory of independence and are also an occasion of sober call to action bearing in mind the sacrifice and the rich heritage of shared yet separate roots.

Also Read: The Untold Story Of How Many Times India And Pakistan Have Faced Each Other On The Battlefield