Transcript Slide 1

In our November 22 issue, you’ll read how a family
in Bangalore, like many others across India,
has risen from poverty and helped transform India
into an economic powerhouse.
In this presentation, we’ll
look back to 1947, when
India achieved
independence from Great
Britain and was divided into
two countries. The difficult
and sometimes violent
partition into Pakistan, with a
Muslim majority, and India,
with a Hindu majority, left
scars that still create
dangerous tensions almost
65 years later.
• Hinduism is one
of the world’s oldest
religions. It began
around 1500 B.C.
in India and spread
throughout the
subcontinent.
• In the 12th century A.D.,
Muslim armies began
pushing into northern
India. By the mid-16th
century, the Muslim rulers
of the Mughal Empire
controlled most of India.
• Some Muslim rulers
persecuted Hindus and
burned their temples. Others,
like Shah Jahan, were more
tolerant. Construction on his
Taj Mahal (above) began
around 1632.
• In the 1600s, the British
East India Company set
up a trading operation in
India. The company
gradually seized control
of most of India from the
declining Mughal Empire.
• The British government
took over from the
company in 1858. The
British raj, or rule, had
a profound influence on
India. (Here, Indian
servants prepare an
Englishman for a safari.)
• The British kept
conflicts among India’s
religious groups in
check. But as calls for
Indian independence
grew in the early 20th
century, old divisions
began to resurface.
• In the 1920s, Hindu activist Mohandas K. Gandhi (near right) led a series
of nonviolent campaigns for Indian
freedom. Gandhi tried but failed to
unite Muslim and Hindu leaders
behind the idea of a single nation.
• As World War II (1939-45) came
to an end, the British realized that
independence was inevitable. But
as their target date of August 1947
neared, Muslims rioted, demanding
a separate country.
• In July, British leaders agreed
to the creation of the Muslim nation
of Pakistan. It would be formed
from regions of northwestern and
northeastern India.
• As the date of India’s independence
approached, millions of Hindus and
Muslims found themselves on the
“wrong” side of the new borders.
About 10 million people—like the
refugees piling onto a train at left—
rushed toward what they hoped
would be safety.
• Chaos followed. Widespread
rioting gave extremist Hindus
and Muslims an excuse to
attack each other and many
innocents.
• At least 500,000 people were
killed in the violent struggle that
gave birth to India and
Pakistan.
• Since the 1947
partition, India
and Pakistan
have been in
almost constant
conflict. The two
countries have
clashed
repeatedly over
the region of
Kashmir, which
both claim.
• In 1971, East Pakistan declared its
independence, becoming the nation of
Bangladesh. In the civil war that followed,
India supported Bangladesh, further
damaging relations with Pakistan.
• In recent years, Pakistani and Indian
leaders have tried to move past their
deep distrust. Although there are
hopeful signs, tensions between
the two nuclear powers remain.
1. Why are India and Pakistan two separate countries?
2. What were the causes of the violence that broke out
during the partition?
3. Mohandas K. Gandhi once said: “ Before partitioning
India, my body will have to be cut into two pieces.” What do
you think he meant by this statement? Can you imagine
feeling the same way about your country? Explain.