Radcliffe line was demarcated between India and which country?

The correct answer is Pakistan.

Key Points

• The Radcliffe Line was demarcated as the border between India and Pakistan during the partition of British India in 1947.
• It was named after its architect, Cyril Radcliffe, who chaired the Boundary Commissions for both Punjab and Bengal.
• The boundary line was officially announced on 17th August 1947, two days after India and Pakistan gained independence.
• It divided the provinces of Punjab and Bengal into Indian and Pakistani territories, leading to widespread displacement and communal violence.
• The partition and the Radcliffe Line affected millions, with approximately 14 million people displaced due to religious divisions.

Additional Information

• Partition of India:
  • The partition of British India led to the creation of two independent dominions: India and Pakistan.
  • It was based on religious demographics, with Pakistan designated as a homeland for Muslims and India retaining a Hindu majority.
  • The partition caused one of the largest mass migrations in human history, with significant violence and loss of lives.
• Cyril Radcliffe:
  • Cyril Radcliffe was a British lawyer appointed as the chairman of the Boundary Commissions for Punjab and Bengal.
  • Radcliffe had never been to India before and was given just five weeks to decide the borders.
  • He later expressed regret over the consequences of the partition and the violence it triggered.
• Impact of the Radcliffe Line:
  • The demarcation led to the division of major cities such as Lahore (Pakistan) and Amritsar (India).
  • It also impacted cultural, social, and economic ties in the region, creating long-standing tensions between the two nations.
  • The region of Kashmir, which was not part of the Radcliffe Line decision, became a subsequent point of conflict.
• Legacy:
  • The Radcliffe Line remains the de facto international border between India and Pakistan in Punjab and parts of Rajasthan.
  • It continues to symbolize the deep historical and political divisions between the two nations.