Chapter # 1 – Pakistan’s Ideology and its Historical Background
1.4.6. Explain the Structure and Objectives of the Boundary Commission
1.4.7. Analyze the Basic Instructions Given to the Boundary Commission
1.4.8. Evaluate the Impact of the Decisions of the Boundary Commission on Pakistan.
Boundary Commission – Main Features, Outcome and Impact
The Indian Independence Act of 1947 included provisions for the establishment of a boundary commission tasked with setting the border between Pakistan and India.
Purpose of the Boundary Commission:
The establishment of the Boundary Commission aimed to delineate the border between Pakistan and India in the provinces of Punjab and Bengal, where a diverse population of Sikhs, Hindus, and Muslims resided. Determining the boundary was challenging due to the mixed demographics and the economic significance of factors such as rivers and railway facilities. The commission, with equal representation from Congress and the League, aimed to facilitate a mutually acceptable solution for both Pakistan and India.
Structure of the Commission:
- Sir Cyril Radcliffe was appointed as the Chairman of the Boundary Commission.
- Two separate Boundary Commissions were formed, one for Punjab and the other for Bengal.
- Each Boundary Commission comprised an equal number of members from Pakistan and India.
- Sir Cyril Radcliffe was empowered to make unilateral decisions if the Boundary Commissions failed to reach consensus.
The outcome of the Boundary Commission
The outcome of the Boundary Commissionresulted in a failure to reach a settlement, prompting Sir Cyril Radcliffe, the Commission’s Chairman, to unilaterally announce his decision regarding the demarcation of boundaries in both the provinces of Punjab and Bengal. This announcement, known today as the Radcliffe Award, marked a significant moment in the partition history of India and Pakistan.
The unjustness of the Commission’s decisions had a profound impact on Pakistan, particularly in two key aspects:
Awarding Calcutta to India:
Radcliffe’s decision to award Calcutta to India, despite it being surrounded by Muslim-majority areas, was deeply unfair. Calcutta, as the capital of Bengal, served as a crucial center for commerce and education. Its development relied heavily on the labor of Muslim peasants from East Bengal, who provided much of the raw materials for the city’s industries. Despite these vital contributions, Radcliffe overlooked these factors and allocated Calcutta to India, to the detriment of Pakistan.
Awarding Muslim Majority Areas to India in Punjab:
The Boundary Commission’s decision to award Muslim-majority areas like Ferozpur and Gurdaspur to India in Punjab violated the Indian Independence Act of 1947. Ferozpur, originally intended for Pakistan due to its Muslim majority, was reassigned to India under pressure from Lord Mountbatten. This decision had severe consequences as it led to India’s subsequent blockage of water from the canal headworks in Ferozpur, which was vital for Pakistan’s agricultural survival.
Similarly, awarding Gurdaspur to India had far-reaching implications, as it provided India with a border with Kashmir, leading to future disputes between India and Pakistan over the region. India’s subsequent military intervention in Kashmir through Gurdaspur in October 1948 escalated tensions between the two countries, resulting in wars and enduring conflicts over the Kashmir issue.
In conclusion, the unjust decisions of the Boundary Commission, particularly in awarding strategic areas to India, had detrimental effects on Pakistan’s development and security, contributing to ongoing tensions and conflicts between India and Pakistan.
Amazing notes