10 Books that explore India - Pakistan relations

Since the British Raj and the aftermath of partition, relations between India and Pakistan have always been riddled with complexities that go beyond just geophysical conditions. Here is a list of 10 books that explore the complex relations between India and Pakistan, touching upon history, conflict, and the human cost of division:

 

1.  "The People Next Door: The Curious History of India-Pakistan Relations" by T.C.A. Raghavan (2017): This book provides a comprehensive overview of the seven decades of India-Pakistan relations since the Partition. It uses events, anecdotes, and personalities to illustrate the mix of hostility, nationalism, and nostalgia that defines their interactions. Raghavan, a former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, offers insights into the perspectives of key players and how historical events are viewed differently in both countries.

 

2.  "Midnight's Furies: The Deadly Legacy of India's Partition" by Nisid Hajari (2015): Hajari delves into the historical context and the key figures behind the Partition, arguing that the decisions made in 1947 continue to fuel the conflict between India and Pakistan. The book explores the communal violence and the long-term impact of the division.

 

3.  "The Great Partition: The Making of India and Pakistan" by Yasmin Khan (2007): Khan examines the events leading up to the Partition, the implementation process, and its devastating aftermath. She combines political analysis with the experiences of ordinary people, highlighting the widespread lack of preparation for the mass displacement and violence.

 

4.  "Train to Pakistan" by Khushwant Singh (1956): This is a powerful fictional account of the Partition's impact on a village on the India-Pakistan border. Through the eyes of ordinary people, Singh portrays the communal tensions, violence, and human tragedy that unfolded during the division.

5.  "The Other Side of Silence: Voices from the Partition of India" by Urvashi Butalia (1998): Butalia's work focuses on the personal experiences of marginalized groups – particularly women – during the Partition. Through interviews and personal documents, she brings to light the often-silenced stories of trauma, resilience, and the long shadow of the division.

6.  "India-Pakistan Relations, 1947-2007: A Documentary Study (in 10 volumes)" by Avtar Singh Bhasin (2012): This extensive collection of documents provides a detailed historical record of the official communications and agreements between India and Pakistan over sixty years. It offers a comprehensive resource for understanding the evolution of their relationship.

7.  "Pakistan or the Partition of India" by B.R. Ambedkar (1940): Written before the actual Partition, this book presents Ambedkar's analysis of the demand for Pakistan and its implications. It offers a critical perspective on the political dynamics and social considerations surrounding the creation of two separate nations.

8.  "Remnants of a Separation: A History of the Partition Through Material Memory" by Aanchal Malhotra (2017): Malhotra explores the human history of the Partition through personal stories and the objects that individuals carried with them across the newly formed borders. This unique approach provides an intimate and poignant perspective on the lived experiences of displacement.

9.  "Amritsar to Lahore: A Journey Across the India-Pakistan Border" by Stephen Alter (1996): This travel narrative delves into the shared cultural and historical links between India and Pakistan, emphasizing the common heritage that exists despite political divisions. Alter's journey highlights the human connections that transcend national boundaries.

10.  "Midnight's Children" by Salman Rushdie (1981): While a work of fiction, Rushdie's Booker Prize-winning novel intricately weaves the personal stories of individuals born at the moment of India's independence with the major political events of the subcontinent, including the Partition and the subsequent conflicts, offering a magical realist perspective on the intertwined histories of India and Pakistan.

 

These ten books particularly offer a range of perspectives, from historical analyses and personal accounts to fictional narratives, providing a multifaceted understanding of the complex and often fraught relationship between India and Pakistan. They explore the historical roots of the conflict, the human cost of division, and the enduring impact on the region. While these books have spanned from the independence era till now, a lot of changes have occurred in the existing India - Pakistan relations; particularly showing volatile tendencies.