The Great Partition: The Making of India and Pakistan by Yasmin Khan

The Great Partition: The Making of India and Pakistan by Yasmin Khan is a powerful account of one of the most defining and traumatic events in South Asian history—the 1947 Partition that led to the creation of India and Pakistan. Blending archival research with human stories, Khan examines how political decisions, colonial withdrawal, and escalating communal tensions culminated in one of the largest mass migrations and episodes of violence in modern history. Synopsis The book traces the chaotic final months of British rule and the hurried process that divided the subcontinent along religious lines. Yasmin Khan highlights the political maneuvering of leaders, the failures of the colonial administration, and the immense human suffering that followed. She also explores how Partition has continued to shape the politics, identities, and relationships of South Asia to this day. Key Features & Themes

• Political Backdrop: The role of British colonial rule and nationalist leaders.
• Human Cost: Violence, displacement, and trauma during mass migration.
• Communal Tensions: How religious divisions were deepened and manipulated.
• Legacy of Partition: Lasting effects on India, Pakistan, and regional relations.
• Historical Insight: A balanced account blending political history with personal narratives.

Why Read It?

• Offers a nuanced understanding of one of the most significant events of the 20th century.
• Highlights both high-level political decisions and everyday human experiences.
• Essential for students and readers of South Asian history, politics, and identity.
• Encourages reflection on nationalism, colonialism, and the costs of division.

The Great Partition is a deeply researched and empathetic history that sheds light on how political choices and colonial legacies created borders that continue to define South Asia today.