The 'hut' and the 'axe': The 1947 Sylhet referendum

Abstract

an unfolding of historical processes in which people were drawn spontaneously or under compulsion, and participated as significant actors in what was, among other things, ’a history of struggle’ for survival in changed circumstances following the construction of new political identities as Indians and Pakistanis. Independence came in 1947, but with it came Partition. Not simply a British decree, but various schemes in which different modalities were followed, divided India. For the accession of princely states, the consent of the rulers was sought to amicably settle the issue of amalgamation with either of the independent nations. The Muslim-majority provinces, Bengal and Punjab, had decided for partition by voting by the respective legislators. Under the chairmanship of Ceril Radcliffe, two Boundary Commissions were accordingly appointed to demarcate the boundaries. There was also a third way of referendum through which new boundaries were drawn, separating the two independent dominions. Following the outcome of the referendum, the fate of Sylhet in Assam and the North West Frontier Province was decided. All these modalities were clearly stated in Louis Mountbatten’s 3 June statement.