Book: Partition, The story of Indian Independence and the Creation of Pakistan
Author: Barney White-Spunner
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 387 Pages
Price: 699/- INR
India is celebrating its 70th Anniversary, the end of the British Raj, followed by the division of two countries India and Pakistan that took place on August 14 and August 15, 1947. The celebration brings with it the pain of displacement and memories; more painful is the growing hatred between the two countries, which was once a one nation. The book, Partition, The story of Indian Independence and the Creation of Pakistan in 1947 written by Barney White-Spunner says it all.
Independence from British rule no doubt was significant historic event in the world history and most importantly the history of India, as the Power was shifted from the powerful West to weak East, as it was perceived then. But what followed in the form of Partition is more pathetic, where brother become enemy of brother, neighborhood of years were destroyed. Mothers and Sisters were humiliated and forced to die. Killing and blood all around, which change the geography and culture of Asia forever with the recorded killing of more than 10 lakhs of people and more than a crore, were forced to migrate on the either side.
In the first half of the book the writer, points out India could have attained freedom far ahead of when it was granted and could have avoided the painful Partition. First in 1919, right after the end of World War I, and the second was in 1935 when India could have been granted the Dominion Status.
The political scenario in Britain too was responsible for such hasty decision afterwards, which leads to such blunders in the life crores forever. The writer also tries to specify who can be blamed for such horrific decisions. The India and British both have their statesman and visionary, still the partition cannot be stopped, points the collective responsibility of either nation, India and Britain.
The writer objectively says that the blame on Mountbatten is unfair to an extent.
He explains, “In the UK, a lot of people blame Mountbatten but he was only part of a story. Very much of what he was doing was what he was told. “The writer also stresses, despite the presence of these “great figures of 20th century”.
