Along with independence, the partition of India and Pakistan was a very difficult task. This time was full of stress and conflict. It was decided that India would be divided into two countries, India and Pakistan. An English lawyer named Sir Siril Radcliffe was called for this work. He was tasked to make British India divided into two countries. Some historians say that Radcliffe had divided the country into two parts by pulling a line on the map. In this way, geographical division took place, but now it was yet to be decided how things like army, money and culture would be divided between the two countries. Meanwhile, there was a time when both countries came face to face with the partition of an elephant. Let us know in the second installment of Partition on Independence Day what was special in that elephant and why it was difficult to share it?
Rajendra Prasad-Sardar Patel vs Liaquat-Jinnah
On 16 June 1947, Governor-General Jenkins formed a committee with Lord Mountbatten. It was called Punjab Partition Committee. Its main task was to give advice on the sharing of finance, army and senior administrative officers and their official goods. A report by the Economic Times states that the name of this committee was later changed to Partition Council. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Rajendra Prasad were from the Congress. Liaquat Ali Khan and Abdur Rab were from the All India Muslim League. Later, Muhammad Ali Jinnah replaced Nishtar.
There was a 70 -day time limit for partition
Anveesh Sengupta has written a report in her report, which is titled ‘Partition: Property of India and Pakistan at the time of Partition’. In this, he has told that the Partition Council had only 70 days for the partition of the British Indian state. In such a short time, property and financial liabilities of all departments were to be divided.
The biggest problem is the split of the army, changed from Muslims
The biggest problem before the Partition Council was the split of the army. In this process, two-thirds of the army remained in India, while one-third was sent to Pakistan. According to reports, about 2,60,000 soldiers remained in India. Most of them were Hindus and Sikhs. On the other hand, about 1,40,000 soldiers went to Pakistan, most of whom were Muslims. Gorkha Brigade was divided between India and Britain. However, this process was not easy. In Pakistan, 19th Lancers appointed Muslim soldiers of Skinner Horse in India instead of their Jat and Sikh soldiers.
Paper, pen, pencil and even bulbs were distributed
The distribution of money was another big challenge. According to the Partition Agreement, Pakistan got 17.5 percent of property and liabilities of British India. History suggests that India gave Rs 20 crore to Pakistan on August 15, 1947, as promised. However, an amount of Rs 75 crore got entangled in a dispute. Pakistan attacked Kashmir with the help of mercenaries. Apart from financial and military properties, India and Pakistan also agreed to share other movable assets. All movable properties were divided into ratio of 80–20. These included office furniture, stationery and even bulbs.
When swords were drawn with elephant between Indo-Pak
According to reports, animals were also divided. “Breaking up: Dividing Assets Bitveen India and Pakistan in Times of Partition” states that Joymani, an elephant from the Forest Department of the colonial Bengal, also faced problems in sharing. According to property sharing, the price of Joymani was equal to a station wagon. This elephant was very dear to the forest department and nearby people. Swords were drawn between the two countries regarding this matter. Finally, with the help of the British, it was decided that West Bengal would get this vehicle and East Bengal will get this elephant.
When the cleverness of a collector saved the elephant
However, at the time of independence, Joymony was in Malda, which used to fall in West Bengal. A new dimension was added to this issue regarding the payment of the Joymani. The Collector of Malda argued that the East Bengal government should bear the expenses of the elephant. At that time, a part of East Bengal went to Pakistan. However, from the other side it was argued that since Malda used an elephant, they should bear the expenses. The dispute eventually reached diplomatic circles and was possibly resolved at the level of Chief Secretaries.
The British were made the first Army Chief of both countries
According to the National Army Museum (NAM), many British officers stayed here during division and change. These were two prominent names, General Sir Robert Lockhart, the first Army Chief of India. At the same time, General Sir Frank Meservi became the first Army Chief of Pakistan.
