India-Pakistan Partition

In 1947, British-ruled India was divided into two separate, independent states.

2017 marked the 70th anniversary of two nations, India and Pakistan. Their independence from the British Empire in 1947 prompted a wave of decolonization that spread across Asia and Africa. Yet alongside the victories of independence came the tragedies of partition, whereby British-ruled India was divided into two separate, independent states.

Written by Mytheli Sreenivas. Narration by Dr. Nicholas B. Breyfogle.

Video production by Laura Seeger and Dr. Nicholas B. Breyfogle. Audio production by Paul Kotheimer, College of Arts & Sciences Academic Technology Services. The Origins' editorial team includes Editors Nicholas Breyfogle, Steven Conn and David Steigerwald; Managing Editors Lauren Henry, Sarah Paxton, and Renae Sullivan; Associate Editors: Mina Park and Stephen Richardson

We thank the Stanton Foundation for their funding of this and other Origins projects.

Read this Essay