Dec 25, 2016

Mass migration during independence of India and Pakistan in 1947 Part - 7

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13

These photographs are taken in 1947 during the period of independence of India and Pakistan by the photographer Margaret Bourke-White. These photographs are collected from Life Archive hosted by Google.

An estimated 25 million Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs crossed the newly drawn borders to reach their new homelands. These estimates are based on comparisons of decadal censuses from 1941 and 1951 with adjustments for normal population growth in the areas of migration. In northern India - undivided Punjab and North Western Frontier Province (NWFP) - nearly 12 million were forced to move from as early as March 1947 following the Rawalpindi violence. (Wikipedia)

In the aftermath of partition, a huge population exchange occurred between the two newly-formed states (India and Pakistan). About 14.5 million people crossed the borders, including 7,226,000 Muslims came to Pakistan from India while 7,249,000 Hindus and Sikhs moved to India from Pakistan. About 5.5 millions settled in Punjab Pakistan and around 1.5 millions settled in Sindh. (Wikipedia)