Who among the following was responsible for demarcating the borders between India and Pakistan during the partition in 1947 ?

The correct answer is Cyril Radcliffe.

Key Points

• Cyril Radcliffe was a British lawyer who was tasked with demarcating the boundary lines between India and Pakistan before the partition in 1947.
• He chaired the Boundary Commissions for both Punjab and Bengal, which were the two major provinces to be divided.
• The demarcation was done in a very short period, and Radcliffe had no prior experience with Indian geography or its socio-political dynamics.
• The boundaries drawn by Cyril Radcliffe are collectively referred to as the Radcliffe Line.
• These boundary lines were officially announced on 17 August 1947, two days after India and Pakistan gained independence.

Additional Information

• Radcliffe Line:
  • The line demarcates the international boundary between India and Pakistan in the Punjab and Bengal regions.
  • It divided 88 million people based on religious majorities.
  • The decision led to large-scale displacement and communal violence, impacting millions of lives.
• Partition of India (1947):
  • The partition led to the creation of two independent dominions: India and Pakistan.
  • It was based on the two-nation theory, which proposed separate homelands for Hindus and Muslims.
  • The partition caused the largest mass migration in human history, with over 10 million people relocating.
• Punjab Boundary Commission:
  • This commission was responsible for dividing the Punjab province into two parts based on religious demographics.
  • It was chaired by Cyril Radcliffe, with representatives from both the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League.
• Bengal Boundary Commission:
  • Similar to the Punjab Commission, it was tasked with dividing Bengal between India and Pakistan.
  • The division led to the creation of West Bengal (India) and East Pakistan (later Bangladesh).