Why did some people think of Partition as a very sudden development?
Some people think that partition of India in 1947 was a sudden development. Many Muslim leaders were not serious in their demand for Pakistan as a separate nation. On many occasions, Jinnah used the idea of Pakistan to seek favours from the British and to block concessions into the Congress. Even the Muslims were confused about the idea of Pakistan. They could not think of their future in an independent country called Pakistan. Many people had migrated to the new country with the hope that they would soon come back to India as soon as the situation improved. In fact, the partition was so sudden that nobody could imagine it
How did women experience Partition?
How did the Congress come to change its views on Partition?
Why is Partition viewed as an extremely significant marker in South Asian history?
Why was British India partitioned?
Examine the strengths and limitations of oral history. How have oral-history techniques furthered our understanding of Partition?
What did the Muslim League demand through its resolution of 1940?
What were Mahatma Gandhi’s arguments against Partition?
How did ordinary people view Partition?
Why was the jotedar a powerful figure in many areas of rural Bengal?
Why did the mutinous sepoys in many places turn to erstwhile rulers to provide leadership to the revolt?
To what extent are census data useful in reconstructing patterns of urbanisation in the colonial context?
How did Mahatma Gandhi seek to identify with the common people?
What were the ideals expressed in the Objectives Resolution?
How did zamindars manage to retain control over their zamindaris?
Discuss the evidence that indicates planning and coordination on the part of the rebels.
What do the terms “White” and “Black” Town signify?
How was Mahatma Gandhi perceived by the peasants?
How was the term minority defined by different groups?
In what way was the livelihood of the Paharias different from that of the Santhals?
Why did Mahatma Gandhi think Hindustani should be the national language?
Why did the mutinous sepoys in many places turn to erstwhile rulers to provide leadership to the revolt?
Why are newspapers an important source for the study of the national movement?
How did Mahatma Gandhi seek to identify with the common people?
Why did the salt laws become an important issue of struggle?
How was the term minority defined by different groups?
On an outline map of the subcontinent, mark out the areas described in this chapter. Find out whether there were other areas where the Permanent Settlement and the ryotwari system were prevalent and plot these on the map as well.
What connection did some of the members of the Constituent Assembly make between the political situation of the time and the need for a strong Centre?
Why were the dialogues at the Round Table Conference inconclusive?