The borders of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh were set by British in 1947 to keep a civil war from breaking out. The Partitioning broke Gandhi's heart who wanted the Hindus and Muslims to live together. What contributed most to the establishment of the new borders?

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the main ideological divide that led to the partition.

Correct Answer: A) Religious differences.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Civil Services

Difficulty: Moderate

Explanations:

The partition of India in 1947 was a pivotal event that led to the creation of two separate nations, India and Pakistan. The primary cause of this partition was the deep religious differences between Hindus and Muslims, which had been exacerbated by British policies and the rise of communal politics. The British administration used these differences to maintain control and eventually partitioned the subcontinent into two separate nations based on religious lines.

Religious differences were a significant factor in the partition because they created a sense of identity and belonging among the two major communities. The British colonial administration had long used the "divide and rule" policy to maintain control over the subcontinent. They encouraged communal tensions and supported the creation of separate electorates for Hindus and Muslims, which further deepened the divide between the two communities.

As the demand for independence grew stronger, the Muslim League, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, began to advocate for a separate Muslim state. The Muslim League argued that Muslims and Hindus were two separate nations and that the only way to ensure the rights and interests of Muslims was to create a separate state. This demand for a separate state was based on the religious differences between the two communities and the fear that Muslims would be marginalized in a united India dominated by Hindus.

While political differences and British control played a role in the partition, they were secondary to the religious differences. Political differences were largely a result of the religious tensions, and the British used these differences to their advantage but did not create them. The strong leadership in Pakistan, while important in the formation of the new nation, was not the primary factor that led to the partition.

Therefore, the primary cause of the partition of India in 1947 was the religious differences between Hindus and Muslims, which had been exacerbated by British policies and the rise of communal politics. This deep divide made it impossible for the two communities to coexist peacefully, leading to the creation of two separate nations based on religious lines.

Option Analysis:

Option A: This is the correct answer. Religious differences between Hindus and Muslims were the primary cause of the partition. The British administration used these differences to maintain control and eventually partitioned the subcontinent into two separate nations based on religious lines.
Option B: This is incorrect. While strong leadership in Pakistan played a role in the formation of the new nation, it was not the primary factor that led to the partition. The main cause was the religious differences between Hindus and Muslims.
Option C: This is incorrect. Political differences did exist, but they were largely a result of the religious tensions. The primary cause of the partition was the deep religious divide between Hindus and Muslims.
Option D: This is incorrect. Although British control and policies contributed to the partition, the fundamental cause was the religious differences between the two major communities. The British used these differences to their advantage but did not create them.

Mnemonic: R - Remember Religious differences as the root cause.

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