HIST 92.04 Partition in South Asia

In the years leading to 1947, nationalist activism against the British and tensions between Hindus and Muslims escalated in the Indian subcontinent. This culminated in Partition and the emergence of the nations of India and Pakistan. Independence was marred, however, by the bloodshed accompanying the mass movements of Muslims into Pakistan and Hindus into India. What were the factors leading to this juxtaposition of triumphal Independence with shameful Partition?  What were the implications of Partition for ordinary people?  How have memories of Partition continued to affect powerfully politics and culture in the subcontinent? This seminar investigates such questions using a wide variety of materials including films, memoir, fiction, and scholarly works.  This course follows recent scholarship in focusing on the long-term implications of Partition for the subcontinent.  Hence, while we certainly will investigate the events leading up to Partition, our emphasis will be on understanding the effects of Partition on the lives of ordinary people during and after.

Cross Listed Courses

ASCL 54.04

Degree Requirement Attributes

Dist:INT or SOC; WCult:NW

The Timetable of Class Meetings contains the most up-to-date information about a course. It includes not only the meeting time and instructor, but also its official distributive and/or world culture designation. This information supersedes any information you may see elsewhere, to include what may appear in this ORC/Catalog or on a department/program website. Note that course attributes may change term to term therefore those in effect are those (only) during the term in which you enroll in the course.

Department-Specific Course Categories

Class of 2023 and Before Major/Minor Dist: AALAC; Class of 2024 and Beyond Major/Minor Dist: Asia, modern.