On August 17, 1947, the Radcliffe Line was officially announced as the boundary between India and Pakistan. Established by the British government to delineate the new borders following the partition of India, the line was named after Sir Cyril Radcliffe, who drafted it in just five weeks. Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of British India, had proposed the plan for India’s independence on June 3, 1947, which included the division of the country into two separate entities. Sir Cyril Radcliffe was tasked with determining the boundaries in Punjab and Bengal based on the distribution of Hindu and Muslim populations. To finalize the boundaries, Radcliffe reviewed population statistics, religious maps, and administrative reports. The announcement of the Radcliffe Line precipitated widespread riots and violence, resulting in millions of people being displaced as they moved across the new borders. The partition led to significant loss of life and suffering due to the violence and upheaval during this period.
Comments