Geographical Problems and Radcliff Injustice in 1947 |Digital Comic |O'levels |Pakistan studies 2059

When Pakistan was created in 1947, it faced severe geographical challenges that made governance, communication, and defense extremely difficult. Unlike India, which had a continuous landmass, Pakistan was divided into two separate regions—West Pakistan (modern-day Pakistan) and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh)—separated by over 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) of Indian territory. This division created long-term instability.

1. Distance Between East and West Pakistan
The two wings of Pakistan were physically disconnected, making administration and trade highly difficult.

The only way to travel between the two regions was by air or through India, which controlled all land routes.

In case of war, defending both wings was nearly impossible.

This geographical divide fueled political unrest, ultimately leading to the separation of East Pakistan in 1971.

2. The Radcliffe Award & Unjust Border Division
The Radcliffe Line was drawn hastily, and the border report was released two days after independence, causing confusion and violence. Pakistan was deprived of key strategic regions:

✅ Loss of Ferozepur & Gurdaspur

These regions had Muslim-majority populations and were expected to be part of Pakistan.

At the last moment, they were handed to India, giving India control over vital water headworks.

The Ferozepur headworks controlled irrigation canals feeding Pakistan’s Punjab, making Pakistan dependent on India for water.

✅ A Direct Gateway for India to Kashmir

Gurdaspur provided India with a land route to Jammu & Kashmir.

This allowed India to send troops into Kashmir in October 1947, leading to the first Indo-Pak war.

Had Gurdaspur been given to Pakistan, India would have had no direct military access to Kashmir.

3. Atrocities During Migration
The hasty and unfair boundary division led to one of the largest human migrations in history, with over 15 million people displaced.

Brutal massacres, looting, and abductions took place, especially in Punjab.

Trains carrying migrants were attacked and arrived at their destinations full of dead bodies.

Women were kidnapped, assaulted, and trafficked across borders, leaving thousands of families shattered.


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