Rare photos: The birth and partition of India

Rare photos: The birth and partition of India

Mangalore Today News Network

Aug 14, 2015: The Partition of India saw the carving up of the subcontinent along sectarian lines, the massacre of millions and the rending asunder of a country into two, making it one of mankind’s greatest tragedies. And while India celebrated its much-awaited freedom on August 15, 1947, after being subjugated by the British for close to two centuries, no one could forget the enormous human cost that we paid for it. We bring you some exceptional photos from that momentous era – from Partition to Freedom.

In this photo released by the Indian Defence Ministry, people throng in to participate in India’s first Independence Day celebrations at Raisina Hill in New Delhi in August, 1947. India celebrates its 60th Independence day on Aug. 15, 2007.

 

Lord and Lady Mountbatten are seen with Mahatma Gandhi, center, in the garden of the Viceregal lodge in New Delhi, India, March 31, 1947.  Lord Mountbatten, the last viceroy of India, and Gandhi discuss points in the transfer of government from British to Indian rule

 

In this photo released by the Indian Defence Ministry, people throng in to participate in India’s first Independence Day celebrations at Raisina Hill in New Delhi in August 1947. India celebrates its 60th Independence day on Aug 15, 2007.

 

Hundreds of Muslim refugees crowd atop a train leaving New Delhi for Pakistan in this September 1947 file photo. India will celebrate its 50th anniversary of Independence from Britian on Friday Aug. 15, 1997. The day also marks the division of the British empire into officially Muslim Pakistan and largely Hindu India. That division was accompanied by bloody religious riots in 1947, the memories of which haunt freedom celebrations.

 

From left, Pandit Jawarharlal Nehru, Vice President of India’s Interim Government, Earl Mountbatten, Viceroy of India and Muhammad Ali Jinnah, President of the Muslim League discuss Britain’s plan for India at the historic India Conference in New Delhi, June 2, 1947.

 

Lord Louis Mountbatten, Viceroy of India, met with seven Indian leaders in the study of the Viceregal Lodge, New Dlhi, India, June 2, 1947, to discuss the British Government’s plan for the Seperation of India. Seated left to right clockwise around the table; Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar, Communications Member of the Interim Government (also representing the Muslim League);Sardar Baldev Singh, War Member (representing Sikhs); Achatya Kripalani, President of the All India Congress Party;Sardar Patel, Home, Information and Broadcast Member ( for Congress); Pandit Jawarharlal Nehru, Vice President of the Interim Government; Lord Louis Mountbatten; Muhammad Ali Jinnah, President of the Muslim League; Liaquat Ali Khan, Finance Member (also for Muslim League).

 

In this photo released by the Indian Defence Ministry, Governor General Lord Mountbatten salutes India’s National flag as Edwina Mountbatten, second right, and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, right, look on during India’s first Independence Day celebrations in New Delhi in August 1947. India celebrates its 60th Independence day on Aug 15, 2007.

Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru, center, holds a mace of gold in his hand presented to him on the eve of Indian independence in New Delhi, India on Aug. 14, 1947. On his forehead are white markings of his Brahmin caste painted on with fingers during a puja, a prayer service.

Britain’s Earl Mountbatten, in naval uniform, left, salutes the colours as he inspects the farewell parade of the last battalions of the British Army, stationed in Delhi, in the forecourt of Government House, Delhi, Dec. 19, 1947. The last battalions are from the Royal Scots Fusiliers and the East Lancashire regiments

Mahatma Gandhi, center, accompanied by Abha Gandhi, left, and Dr. Sushila Nayyar, right, one of his attendants during his present illness, is shown walking in the garden of Birla House, New Delhi, India, October 2, 1947, as he celebrates his 78th birthday. H.S. Suhrawardy, former chief minister of Bengal Province, is at extreme left, rear.

 

India Independence: Members of the constitutional assembly listen to a speech of Lord Mountbatten in 1947 in New Delhi, India. First bench, front right, is Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, front left is defense minister Sardar Swaran Singh. Person in between not identified. (AP Photo) --- Unabhaengigkeit Indien: Die Verfassungsgebende Versammlung in New Delhi waehrend der Rede von Lord Mountbatten 1947 in Neu Delhi. Vorne rechts sitzt Premierminister Jawaharlal Nehru und vorne links Verteidigungsminister Sardar Swaran Singh.

 

Britain’s Earl Mountbatten, in naval uniform,centre, salutes the colours during the farewell march past of the last battalions of the British Army, stationed in Delhi, in the forecourt of Government House, Delhi, Dec. 19, 1947. The last battalions are from the Royal Scots Fusiliers and the East Lancashire regiments.

 

India Independence: Lord Mountbatten speaks to the constitutional assembly in New Delhi, India, in 1947.

 

Hundreds of Muslim refugees crowd atop a train leaving New Delhi for Pakistan in this 1947 photo. The day also marks the division of the British empire into officially Muslim Pakistan and largely Hindu India. That division was accompanied by bloody religious riots in 1947, the memories of which haunt freedom celebrations. India will celebrate its 50th anniversary of Independence from Britain on Friday Aug. 15, 1997.

 

Armed soldiers guard Muslim refugees trudging through the rain along Chelmsford Road, New Delhi, Sept. 9, 1947. On left behind soldiers are bodies of three persons killed.

 

Members of the House Armed Services committee touring military installations abroad visit Mahatma Gandhi at New Delhi on Oct. 23, 1947. From left to right: Rep. W. Sterling Cole, (R-N.Y.), of Bath, New York; Rep. Walter Norblad, (R-Ore.); Gandhi; Rep. Errett P. Scrivner, (R-Kas), Charles R. Clason (R-Mass.), of Springfield, Mass.