Price of partition: Recollections and reflections

by Rafiq Zakaria

English 226 (26 B/W Illustrations)About the BookFrom the early twenties to the late forties, India was caught in the vortex of conflicting political moves which continued to disturb Hindu-Muslim relations. The emergence of Mahatma Gandhi as the unchallenged leader of the Indian National Congress and his launching of the first India-wide mass struggle against the British - the Khilafat and Non- Cooperation movement - united the two communities as never before. Unfortunately this unity did not last because the British officials managed to create communal tension and riots. To stem the rot, the Mahatma went on fast at the residence of Maulana Mohammed Ali, the tallest among the Muslim leaders then. There was some improvement, but vested interests did not allow the relationship between Hindus and Muslims to be properly cemented. As the time for devolution of power to Indians began to draw nearer, MA Jinnah, who could not see eye to eye with Gandhi on the solution of the communal problem, launched a movement for the division of India, propagating his notorious "Two- Nation" theory. The result was partition which brought nothing but misery, death and destruction to millions of Hindus and Muslims. Its continuing aftermath has resulted in a festering wound which refuses to be healed, endangering the prosperity and security of South Asia.Actually the book is more than recollections and reflection it is a vivid account of what you saw felt and experienced during those turbulent year which shaped the making of Free India. They were indeed the best of time and the worst of times. Your book has brought back memories of those year to me and made me live through them in a manner I have rarely experienced from any other account. It is reminder to all of us that secular values are more important in t

209 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002