The division of British India in 1947 into two independent dominions, India and Pakistan, on the basis of religious majority, accompanied by mass migration and communal violence.
- Carried out under the Mountbatten Plan (3 June 1947) and given legal effect by the Indian Independence Act, 1947, passed by the British Parliament.
- India became independent on 15 August 1947; Pakistan on 14 August 1947; the Act ended British paramountcy over princely states.
- The Radcliffe Line, drawn by Sir Cyril Radcliffe, divided Punjab and Bengal; its details were announced after independence.
- Triggered one of the largest forced migrations in history (estimated 10 to 15 million people moved) and widespread communal violence with heavy casualties.
- Pakistan had two wings, West and East (East Pakistan became Bangladesh in 1971); the princely states had to accede to either dominion.
The 1947 dates, the Mountbatten Plan, the Indian Independence Act, and the Radcliffe Line are core freedom-struggle facts, with a clear border-and-security dimension.
The Mountbatten Plan (3 June 1947) is the partition plan; the Indian Independence Act, 1947 is the law; the Radcliffe Line is the boundary, announced after 15 August.
1947 division of British India into India and Pakistan under the Mountbatten Plan and Independence Act; Radcliffe Line.