:: Partition Stories

Recent articles from the archives

Communists and the Making of Pakistan

Yasser Latif Hamdani Oct 7, 2007

History of the last years of Punjab under the Raj

Farewell to Shimla

Nasim Hassan Sep 23, 2007

Life was normal in early 1947 till June when sporadic incidents of ethnic violence began. In July of 1947, the Muslims started leaving Shimla for Pakistan.

Out of Sight

Sajjad Ahmed Jan 11, 2007

It was a fine morning of March 1963. Humayun was engrossed working in his office situated in Reagal. He was a successful businessman – a well known social-climber with all the success the previous sixteen years had given him.

Indian Muslims

Aparna Pande Nov 7, 2006

The Sachhar Committee report, to be released in end-November, states that the condition of the majority of Indian Muslims is worse than that of even the Dalits. It recommends, among other measures, an allocation of 15% of all government funds for schemes

From Kerala to Islamabad (A Journey of Nine Decades)

Muhammad Tariq Jul 31, 2006

Memories of a life which they can only recount to their children with the hope that they will keep alive traditions they brought with them, but which are now dying away slowly

From Patna to Detroit (A true lifelong migration)

syed muzammil Oct 6, 2005

The night of 20th August 1947, which witnessed violent flames holding her family until they resolved into ashes. Her baba, amma, bhayya, apya, were burnt alive in her city of innocent smiles, Patna.

Who Created Pakistan?

Ranjit Hira Jun 26, 2005

In 1947, India was not expected to survive as a nation

Cold Flesh

Godot Jun 17, 2005

Eesher Singh looked at Kalwant Kaur but unable to bear the heat of her piercing eyes, looked the other way.

Talking to Sabiha Sumar about Khamosh Pani

Anil S Arora Feb 23, 2005

Anil Saari Arora talked to Sabiha Sumar at New Delhi, where the Pakistani filmmaker and her husband, producer S. Sathanandan, have presently set up base.

My Family Reunion

Dost Mittar Nov 12, 2004

My mother handed over both me and her gold ornaments to her sister. The arrangement was that if my mother made it safely across to India, she would take back both me and her gold, if not, my maasi was to use the gold to help her raise me.

The New Beginning

Mohammad Gill Nov 1, 2004

My story is the story of many thousands of other people on both sides of the line. I regard myself lucky in one way that my family and I didn’t suffer any loss of limb....

Does Wagah Have to be This? Or Could it be...

jitesh malik Aug 15, 2004

Why then it denies and overwrites the expectations and imaginations of people with a well-synchronized ritual of hatred?

In Search of Birth Places

Nazar Khan Mar 8, 2004

He had left it when he was only one year old. Sure enough, as we make the final mountain turn, there is Kusik on the hilltop, visible from miles. The locals talk of it as Devi ka Mandar or Kusik fort. A 50-60-house village is located next to

Oh Myopia, Thy Name is Pakistan

Iqbal Mustafa Feb 3, 2004

Wisdom is the ability to achieve desired results in the long run; foolishness is the propensity to grab the immediate opportunity today and harm oneself tomorrow. Enlightened self-interest is not as dazzling as street-smart wizardry but it prevails in the

Jaipur Dreams

Zeno Oct 27, 2003

If my father was an Indian until the sixties, what does that make me?

Muslim League’s Politics (1937-1947)

Yasser Latif Hamdani Sep 7, 2003

League’s transformation from a Nationalist party to a Separatist Party. Author's note: I want this to be first in a series of articles by Pakistanis and Indians to unemotionally reconsider the events of that very important decade in our history whic

Transfer of Power from the British Raj & The South Asian Politicians

Nazar Khan Aug 16, 2003

While the common man went about his routine daily chores, the future of South Asia lay in the hands of the politicians of the Congress and the Muslim league.

Why Are We Killing Ourselves?

Anas Malik Mar 2, 2002

What mentality burns a human being alive?

Mocking the Frontier: The Baba’s Dargah and Chamaliyal

Yoginder Sikand May 28, 2001

What would the Baba have to say ...

An Interview with Naseeruddin Shah

Rehan Ansari Jan 12, 1999

3 pages of Manto tells you what you want to know [about Partition]

Swat: Paradise Lost

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Swat: Paradise Lost

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