Why was india divided into two different countries when it won independence from britain
India was divided into two different countries, India and Pakistan, when it won independence from Britain in 1947 due to religious and political tensions.
The main reason behind the partition was the religious divide between Hindus and Muslims. The Muslim League, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, demanded a separate homeland for Muslims fearing marginalization and discrimination in an independent India dominated by Hindus. The British government, facing pressure and unrest due to communal violence between Hindus and Muslims, agreed to the demand and formulated the plan for partition.
The plan was further fueled by political ambitions and power struggles among various political parties and leaders. The Indian National Congress, led by Jawaharlal Nehru, accepted the partition plan to maintain unity and prevent further violence. The leaders believed that dividing the country based on religious lines would bring stability and pacify communal tensions.
As a result, the Indian Independence Act of 1947 was passed, and the Dominion of India and Dominion of Pakistan were established, with the former being predominantly Hindu and the latter predominantly Muslim. This partition led to the mass migration of millions of people across the newly drawn borders, resulting in widespread violence, riots, and communal clashes.