The
Radcliffe Line was a boundary demarcation line drawn in 1947 by Sir Cyril
Radcliffe, the chairman of the Border Commission, to mark the boundary between
India and Pakistan. It was drawn as part of the partition of India, which
resulted in the creation of the independent nations of India and Pakistan. The
line was drawn through the Punjab and Bengal provinces, which were divided into
two parts as a result of the partition. The Radcliffe Line was controversial
because it resulted in the forced migration of millions of people and caused
widespread violence and loss of life.
The Radcliffe Line was drawn as part of the process of partitioning India into two independent countries: India and Pakistan. The partition was based on the idea of creating separate countries for Hindus and Muslims, who were the two largest religious groups in India at the time.
In 1947, the British government, which was the colonial power in India,
announced its intention to transfer power to the Indian people and to withdraw
from the country. The British government appointed a commission, headed by Sir
Cyril Radcliffe, to demarcate the boundaries between the two new countries.
The Radcliffe Line was drawn through the Punjab and Bengal provinces,
which were both divided into two parts as a result of the partition. The line
was controversial because it resulted in the forced migration of millions of
people, who were required to move to the side of the line corresponding to
their religion. This process caused widespread violence and loss of life, as
many people were unwilling to leave their homes and communities.
The Radcliffe Line was officially adopted on August 17, 1947, and the
partition of India took effect on August 15, 1947, when India and Pakistan became
independent.