The Partition of Bengal and Assam, 1932-1947: Contour of Freedom (Routledgecurzon Studies in South Asia)

This book is a balanced account of the complex processes that finally culminated in the fragmentation of South Asia following decolonization. "The fragmentation of Bengal and Assam in 1947 was a crucial moment in India's socio-political history as a nation state. Both British Indian provinces were divided as much through the actions of the Muslim League as through those of Congress and the British colonial power. Attributing partition largely to Hindu communalists is, therefore, historically inaccurate and factually misleading." "The Partition of Bengal and Assam, 1932-1947 provides a review of constitutional and party politics as well as of popular attitudes and perceptions. The primary aim of this book is to unravel the intricate socio-economic and political processes that led up to partition, as Hindus and Muslims competed ferociously for the new power and privileges to be conferred on them with independence. As shown in the book, well before they divorced at a political level, Hindus and Muslims had been cleft apart by their socio-economic differences. Partition was probably inevitable."--Jacket The fragmentation of Bengal and Assam in 1947 was a crucial moment in India's socio-political history as a nation state. Both the British Indian provinces were divided as much through the actions of the Muslim League as by those of Congress and the British colonial power. Attributing partition largely to Hindu communalists is, therefore, historically inaccurate and factually misleading. The Partition of Bengal and Assam provides a review of constitutional and party politics as well as of popular attitudes and perceptions. The primary aim of this book is to unravel the intricate socio-economic and political processes that led up to partition, as Hindus and Muslims competed ferociously for the new power and privileges to be conferred on them with independence. As shown in the book, well before they divorced at a political level, Hindus and Muslims had been cleaved apart by their socio-economic differences. Partition was probably inevitable. Annotation The fragmentation of Bengal and Assam in 1947 was a crucial moment in India's socio-political history as a nation state. Both the British Indian provinces were divided as much through the actions of the Muslim League as by those of Congress and the British colonial power. Attributing partition largely to Hindu communalists is, therefore, historically inaccurate and factually misleading. The Partition of Bengal and Assamprovides a review of constitutional and party politics as well as of popular attitudes and perceptions. The primary aim of this book is to unravel the intricate socio-economic and political processes that led up to partition, as Hindus and Muslims competed ferociously for the new power and privileges to be conferred on them with independence. As shown in the book, well before they divorced at a political level, Hindus and Muslims had been cleaved apart by their socio-economic differences. Partition was probably inevitable The Hindu-Muslim differences : the socio-economic and cultural dimensions Divide and rule : the Communal Award and its implications in Bengal Politics of accommodation and confrontation : the Second Partition of Bengal An alternative to partition : the United Bengal Scheme Redefining borders : the Boundary Commission and the partition of Bengal Construction and consolidation of identities : the Sylhet Referendum and partition History of partition or partition of history (?), fractured and wounded voice of the people. CONTENTS 8 TABLES 9 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 10 ABBREVIATIONS 11 INTRODUCTION 12 1 THE HINDU–MUSLIM DIFFERENCES 47 2 DIVIDE AND RULE 66 3 POLITICS OF ACCOMMODATION AND CONFRONTATION 96 4 AN ALTERNATIVE TO PARTITION 143 5 REDEFINING BORDERS 165 6 CONSTRUCTION AND CONSOLIDATION OF IDENTITIES 187 7 HISTORY OF PARTITION OR PARTITION OF HISTORY? 220 CONCLUSION 250 GLOSSARY 262 BIBLIOGRAPHICAL ESSAY 264 BIBLIOGRAPHY 273 INDEX 284 Contour of Freedom