Abstract

There has been discussion of genocide in connection with the fight for independence in South Asia, culminating in the partition of India and the establishment of Pakistan. Non-Muslims, particularly Sikhs, have characterized it as “Genocide”, alleging that Muslims were responsible for the deaths of three million individuals. This article explores the challenges associated with classifying the deaths that took place in 1947. It analyses the numerous instances of extreme violence that occurred during that year, relying on solid evidence, and identifies which of these crimes can be classified as genocide. Partition has significant and wide-ranging implications. Approximately 4.5 million Sikhs and Hindus migrated from West Punjab to the eastern territories that eventually formed a small Partition of India, while around 5.5 million Muslims undertook the other journey, initiating one of the most extraordinary instances of coerced mass migrations in recorded history. As a result, the district's measurement profile experienced a substantial change. Within a span of three to four months, there was a significant influx of people driven by a combination of harsh conditions, violence, and an atmosphere of heightened demand. Regardless of the circumstances, there has been a surprisingly limited amount of research conducted on this particular aspect of Punjabi transformation during this period of destruction, despite the crucial nature of the events (in terms of both the total number of casualties and the threat posed to the state's power and legitimacy by this violence).