Partition at 70: The numbers that divided a subcontinent

We look at some numbers behind this defining event in subcontinental history

Afp August 14, 2017

a camp for displaced indian muslims next to humayun 039 s tomb in new delhi during the period of unrest following the partition of india and pakistan photo afp

A camp for displaced Indian Muslims next to Humayun's Tomb in New Delhi, during the period of unrest following the Partition of India and Pakistan. PHOTO: AFP

NEW DELHI: As Pakistan marks the anniversary of its birth and India celebrates 70 years of independence from the British, we look at some of the numbers behind this defining event: Partition.

190

The number of years the British ruled in India, first through the East India Company and then the Crown. The Company, however, had managed trading posts in India for more than a century before assuming more official control after 1757.

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400 million

The population across British India - including modern-day Pakistan and Bangladesh - at the time of Partition in 1947.

40

The number of days British judge Cyril Radcliffe was given to draw the new boundaries that would divide the subcontinent into India and Pakistan.

3800

Miles [6,100 km] of new borders between India and Pakistan created by Partition. More than 1000 miles overland separated West and East Pakistan [now Bangladesh].

0

The number of times British Prime Minister Clement Attlee and Lord Louis Mountbatten, Britain's final Viceroy, uttered the word 'Pakistan' when publicly announcing plans for the Partition of India on June 3, 1947.

48

Hours after India declared independence on August 15 before British troops began sailing for home. Their withdrawal was completed the following February.

1 million

The widely-held estimate of the number of people killed in the brutal violence that followed Partition. Some estimates put the toll at double this figure.

83,000

Women and girls raped or abducted by both sides during the violence of Partition.

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15 million

The number who migrated, often by foot, during Partition - Hindus and Sikhs to India, and Muslims to Pakistan.

400,000

The number of refugees walking in a single column from Pakistan to India.

200,000

The number of miles covered by "refugee specials" - trains carrying evacuees between India and Pakistan - on the north-western line alone in 1947.

3

The number of wars fought between India and Pakistan since independence in 1947.