Author: David Page
Anita Inder Singh/Several Contributors
Translator(s)/ Editors(s): Mashirul Hasan/ David Page
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Year: 1989
Language: English
Pages: 1376
ISBN/UPC (if available): 0195658507
Description
‘The Partition Omnibus’ brings together, for the first time, four authoritative reading on the genesis and development of the idea of Partition, its inevitability, the upheaval that followed the creation of Pakistan, and the attendant problems of nationalism and decolonization.
The Partition of India was perhaps the one significant event in the modern history of South Asia that not only rewrote the future of the subcontinent by redefining religious, cultural and territorial boundaries, but also unleashed a series of forces that continue to vex South Asian politics even today. ‘The Partition Omnibus’ brings together, for the first time, four authoritative reading on the genesis and development of the idea of Partition, its inevitability, the upheaval that followed the creation of Pakistan, and the attendant problems of nationalism and decolonization.
In the first book, ‘Prelude to Partition’, David Page explores, with an eye on Indian Muslim politics in the 1920s, the various forces that set the scene for the emergence of the Pakistan movement. In a significant line of enquiry, he discusses how Muslim rule in Punjab and Bengal became a real possibility with the Communal Award, which in turn was an outcome of the constitutional reforms of 1920.
The second book, ‘The Origins of the Partition of India 1936-1947’, investigates the act of decolonization by the British and its far-reaching consequences for their international status. In this work, Anita Inder Singh demonstrates how the long-term strategic interests of the British counseled them against the Partition, but their short-term tactics contributed to its fruition.
A vivid account of the growth of the idea of partition of India and its inevitability is given in the third book, ‘Divide and Quit’. Penderel Moon gives a first-hand account of the manifestations of communal frenzy and the efforts made to prevent the breakdown of civil government. This book includes contributions from Mark Tully and Tapan Raychaudhuri.
Finally, and as a first-hand account based on personal observation and the reports of a government fact-finding organization, ‘Stern Reckoning’ documents in great detail the riots, massacres, casualties, and political occurrences that led to the Partition. The narrative carries an immediacy, a documentary predilection and biases that are both interesting and unavailable in later works on the same period.
An insightful introduction by Mushirul Hasan sensitizes readers and historians to the need to examine the partition debate afresh, in order to remove widely held misconceptions.
REVIEWS:
PRELUDE TO PARTITION
THE INDIAN MUSLIMS AND THE IMPERIAL SYSTEM OF CONTROL 1920-1932
‘Prelude to Partition is an authoritative analysis of Indian Muslim politics in the 1920s and the position of Punjab in the “driver’s seat”. It throws immensely valuable light on the genesis of Pakistan.’
—I A Rehman in the Herald, Karachi
An excellent and original study of the politics of divide and rule.
—David Hardiman in the Economic and Political Weekly
…The best work for an understanding of Jinnah.
—Sarvepalli Gopal in the Hindustan Times
THE ORIGINS OF THE PARTITION OF INDIA 1936-1947
…an absorbing account of those crucial years between 1936 and 1947.
The argument is meticulously built on the monumental use of primary sources.
—Tribune
DIVIDE AND QUIT
AN EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT OF THE PARTITION OF INDIA
Moon shows a warm perception of what the parties involved were up to and what their motives were. He has a rare understanding of India.
—Granville Austine, Times and Tide
STERN RECKONING
A SURVEY OF THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO AND FOLLOWING THE PARTITION OF INDIA
Written in a simple…gripping style….
—Edward A Rodrigues, Independent
Contents
Partition Narratives- Mushirul Hasan
PRELUDE TO PARTITION - THE INDIAN MUSLIMS AND THE IMPERIAL SYSTEM OF CONTROL 1920-1932
Introduction to the Paperback edition
Acknowledgements to the Paperback Edition
Preface
Introduction
1. The Montagu- Chelmasford reforms and the changing structure of Politics
2. The Growth of Communalism and the Polarization of Politics
3. The Emergence of Punjabi Dominance
4. The Muslim Conference and The Reforms
Conclusion
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
Maps
India 1920 -- The United Provinces -- The Punjab
THE ORIGINS OF THE PARTITION OF INDIA 1936-1947
Preface
Abbreviations
Acknowledgements
1. Elections and the Congress in Office: April 1936 to September 1939
2. India and the War: September 1939 to December 1941
3. Provincial and All India Politics: Currents and Cross-Currents -- December 1941 to April 1945
4. The Success of the Muslim League -- June 1945 to March 1946
5. The Cabinet Mission: March to July 1946
6. Negotiations for the Interim Government and Direct Action
7. Prelude to Partition: November 1946 to February 1947
8. Divide and Quit
Conclusion
List of Important Persons
Bibliography
Index
DIVID AND QUIT
List of illustration
Introduction to Divide and Quit---Mark Tully
Brief Biographies of Key Figures
Introduction
1. The Genesis of Pakistan
2. The Punjab and Pakistan
3. The Cabinet Mission
4. The Mountbatten Plan
5. The Punjab and Partition
6. Bhawalpur State
7. Journey across the Punjab
8. Outbreak of Disturbances in Bhawalpur State
9. Restoring Order -- I
10. Restoring Order -- II
11. Disturbances in Bhawalpur City
12. Events in Rahim Yar khan
13. Resettlement
14. Summing up
Not on Casualties
15. Re-reading Divide and Quit -- Tapan Raychaudhuri
Bibliography
Index
Maps
The Punjab -- Bhawalpur State
STERN RECKONING : A Survey of the Events Leading Up To and Following the Partition of India
Foreword
1. The Parting of the Ways
2. Direct Action Day and After
3. The Punjab
Lahore District - Sheikhpura - Sialkot - Gujranwala - Gujrat - Montgomery - Lyallpur - Shahpur - Jhang - Multan - Muzaffargarh - Rawalpindi - Jhelum - Attock - Mianwali - Dera Ghazi Khan - Bhawalpur State
4. Exodus
5. Sind
6. North-West Frontier Province
7. Retaliation
8. Conclusion
Appendix I -- Notes to Chapters
Appendix II -- Tables and Statements
Bibliography