Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 78

Pakistan was divide into two parts because

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the linguistic and cultural tensions that led to the division.

Correct Answer: C) Imposition of Urdu on Bengali speaking population of the east.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Bank PO, CLAT

Difficulty: Moderate

Explanations:

The partition of Pakistan into East and West Pakistan was a significant event in the history of South Asia. The division was primarily due to linguistic and cultural differences between the two regions. East Pakistan, which is now Bangladesh, had a predominantly Bengali-speaking population, while West Pakistan had a majority of Urdu-speaking people.

The imposition of Urdu as the national language of Pakistan was a contentious issue that led to widespread protests and unrest in East Pakistan. The Bengali Language Movement, which began in 1952, was a pivotal moment in the history of East Pakistan. The movement was a response to the government's decision to make Urdu the sole national language, which was seen as an attempt to suppress the Bengali language and culture.

The Bengali Language Movement was a significant factor in the growing sense of Bengali nationalism and the desire for greater autonomy. The movement culminated in the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, following a war of liberation against West Pakistan. The imposition of Urdu as the national language was a key issue that contributed to the separation of East Pakistan from West Pakistan.

It is important to understand the historical context of the partition of Pakistan to appreciate the significance of the linguistic and cultural factors that led to the division. The imposition of Urdu as the national language was a major point of contention, and it played a crucial role in the eventual separation of East Pakistan.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: This option is incorrect because the imposition of Persian was not a significant factor in the division of Pakistan. The primary issue was the imposition of Urdu as the national language.
  • Option B: This option is incorrect because the imposition of an Islamic language was not the main reason for the division. The specific language issue was the imposition of Urdu, not a generic Islamic language.
  • Option C: This option is correct because the imposition of Urdu as the national language of Pakistan was a significant factor that led to the separation of East Pakistan, which had a predominantly Bengali-speaking population.
  • Option D: This option is incorrect because the imposition of Hindi was not a factor in the division of Pakistan. The issue was with Urdu, not Hindi, which is more associated with India.

Mnemonic: Bengali vs Urdu: East vs West

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