It’s been 77 years since the Indian subcontinent became independent from Britain. If no partition of the Indian subcontinent occurred in 1947, India would most likely have remained a single political nation with a centralized administration.
Had the Indian subcontinent remained united, it would have had vast and multifaceted implications across political, social, cultural, and economic dimensions. Here’s a broad overview of how things might have unfolded if the partition never happened:
Political Landscape
- Unified India: The Indian subcontinent would have remained a single political entity, potentially evolving into a nation-state or a federal union with diverse regional autonomy without partition. This could have meant a more centralized or federated government accommodating the subcontinent’s diverse linguistic and cultural groups. The partitioned India’s land area would be 4.230 million square kilometers, but also it would rank seventh among the world’s largest nations. Furthermore, India would’ve been larger from east to west (from Baluchistan to Tripura) than north to south (Kashmir to Kanyakumari). Delhi would have served as India’s capital, while Lahore would have been more than adequate as Punjab’s. Bangladesh would not have been a reality.
- Vast Secular state: This enormous, united India would have been a secular nation, realizing the vision that Indian leaders had expressed time and time again both before and after 1947. Nehru’s dedication to secularism is almost unquestionable. Remembering Jinnah’s remarks from August 11, 1947, which read, “You can belong to any religion, caste, or creed—that has nothing to do with the business of the State,” must be added to that. We are all equal citizens of the same state.”
- Impact on Nationalism: The absence of division might have led to different forms of nationalism, possibly emphasizing subcontinental unity over regional identities. The country would have been much more peaceful. There would be only the original flag of the Indian subcontinent.
Social Dynamics
- Communal Relations: Communal tensions partly drove the partition. In a unified subcontinent, these tensions might have persisted or evolved differently, potentially influencing social cohesion and inter-community relationships. more religious concord throughout the nation. Also, there would be less animosity between Muslims and Hindus, Sikhs. The destruction of the Babri Mosque would not have occurred due to the Hindu-Muslim conflict. Many of them hold hatred because others slaughtered their families during that time. Generations have passed down this hatred. Consequently, no mother, wife, or daughter would’ve tears in their eyes.
- Migration and Displacement: The partition led to massive migration and displacement in the Indian subcontinent. In a unified scenario, the demographic landscape would be significantly different, with fewer refugees and less disruption in community structures. Both Indian and Pakistani people would have avoided the terrible and traumatic experience of partition. People who were relocated would have chosen to stay in their hometowns. Without 1947, the genocides caused by war, migration, and division would not have claimed millions of lives.
- The empowerment of women: Countries could not impose a culture of a male-dominated society without division, giving women more freedom to follow their aspirations.
No war and terrorism in the Indian subcontinent
- No War and Kashmir issue: The Kargil War of 1999 and the Indo-Pak Wars of 1947, 1965, and 1971 would not have occurred. In a unified India, without the conflict over Kashmir, there would not have been the terrorism that has affected India’s way of life. Kashmir would have been a popular travel destination and a tranquil place. The best destination for a honeymoon would have been Kashmir. No Dramatic shows at Amritsar-Wagah would have happened.
- No terrorism: In a unified India, terrorist groups such as Laskar, Jaish-e-Muhammad, and others would not have flourished as they do in Pakistan. Neither a 9/11 in the United States nor a 26/11 in India would have occurred. 99 percent of terrorism would not exist. No problem with Balochistan/Kashmir. India is a powerful, secular neighbor that would make Afghanistan stronger and more stable. India would put an end to movements such as the Taliban, Al-Qaida, and Haqqani immediately. If it weren’t for the current Pakistan, Osama Bin Laden would never have had access to human resources and a favorable breeding environment. The ongoing battle with the Afghan government may influence the longevity of the Taliban or Al-Qaeda, as it likely prevents their commanders from seeking refuge in India, where they are currently taking refuge in Pakistan. There wouldn’t be any Mumbai attacks, surgical strikes, etc. On both sides of the borders, fishermen and animal herders could coexist. If India had remained a single unit, authorities would not have discovered Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad.
No military coup
- No military takeover: Pakistani citizens shouldn’t have to live under the despotic military regime that exists in tandem with the government; the Indian military is significantly more cooperative with the civilian government. In post-Partition Pakistan and Bangladesh, dim-witted rulers would never have been able to hold the kind of power that they did.
- Safeguarding marginalized people: A majority government that is unfriendly to marginalized people, such as Christians and Hindus, often fails to defend these groups, leading to the destruction of their communities. In a secular India, the government would uphold their freedom to practice their faith, protecting them from violence between communities and factions.
Cultural Integration
- Cultural Exchange: A unified subcontinent might have fostered more extensive cultural exchange, blending traditions, languages, and practices across the entire region. India would be the world’s most culturally diversified country. Envision living together under one roof, Pathans from western Pakistan and Nagas from the east!
- Preservation and Evolution: Diverse cultures might have either preserved their distinctiveness within a larger framework or blended more intensively.
Economic Development
- Economic Unity: A single political entity could have harnessed the region’s collective resources more effectively, potentially leading to different economic development and integration patterns. The economy of the nation would have improved. possibly the second-biggest GDP in the world, after the United States. Instead of only surpassing one another in terms of technology, they would have been fortifying a single country, with India coming in second in terms of power and technology. The subcontinent would have constituted an enormous global “free trade zone” unmatched by any other. As ‘Bangladesh’ would be a part of it, India would have more influence over the land and marine trade routes around the Arabian Sea, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia.
- Channelization of resources: Development may have benefited from the funds, time, and effort that have gone into the ongoing animosity since partition in the Indian subcontinent. Large profits may have been realized from the sizable market and the deliberately split ecosystems’ complementarity. The subcontinent would have avoided the agonizing experience of Partition and all of the pain and resentment that went along with it.
- A thriving agriculture: The two richest agricultural river basins in the world would be found in India. The basin of the Indus and the Ganga-Brahmaputra! …India would rank among the agriculturally richest nations. For instance, several factories were still located in India during the partition, despite Pakistan’s possession of the fertile plains. This hindered both countries’ economic progress and caused a great deal of trouble.
- Less defense budget: India and Pakistan would not throw billions of dollars at one another to wage war or acquire arms, intelligence, or border security. Thus, the funds may have been allocated to improve public health and education.
Construction of infrastructure at a fast pace in the Indian subcontinent
- Infrastructure: Economic policies and infrastructure development might have been more coordinated, potentially addressing regional disparities more effectively. The first bullet train in India would have run from Ahmedabad to Karachi, via Mumbai. The nation’s longest train will be the Dibrugarh-Gwadar route. Trains would have been christened after Bhutto and Jinnah. The busiest national highway would have been the Grand Trunk Road, connecting Chittagong, Kolkata, Delhi, Amritsar, Lahore, Peshawar, and Kabul before branching out into the Central Asian road networks. Because of its relative proximity to the Gulf and Europe, Karachi Port would be busier than Mumbai Port. It also takes less time to go from Karachi to Delhi than it does from Mumbai to Delhi.
- Iran-India natural gas pipeline: The idea behind the Iran-India natural gas pipeline dates back to the 1950s. Its purpose was to link Iran and India for the delivery of natural gas, which would have a huge positive economic impact on both countries. But because Pakistan could never decide, it never took place. It was abandoned when Saudi Arabia and the US pressured Pakistan to retract.
The boom in Tourism Industry
- Flourish in the Tourism industry: Because of the tranquility, India would have made a great travel destination if the K2, Sundarbans, and all of Kashmir had been included! Kashmir would be the most rich and peaceful state in India. Indians had the option of going to Mohenjodaro and Haṛappa. Pakistani may have gone to Agra and Delhi. Also, Indians might have sailed in the Indus, Pakistani in the Brahmaputra. Harappa and Mohenjedaro would have been the top spot to visit as would have been Taxilla. Mount K2, Swat Ghati, Punja Sahab, and Nankana Sahab were all fairly accessible to Indians. Comparable individuals on the opposite side can travel to Qadian, Ajmer, Nakodar, Kaliyar, and Nizammudin.
International Relations
- Geopolitical Position: A unified subcontinent might have had a different geopolitical stance, influencing relationships with neighboring countries and global powers. The borders of Pakistan, current India, and Bangladesh (East Pakistan) would extend from the Iranian-Russian border to Southeast Asia! India would have been in the world’s most strategically located geographical area! (Russian and Iranian gas and oil are also sold cheaply.) India would have been a powerful international force by the end of World War II and might have even asked for a permanent place on the UN Security Council.
- Regional Stability: The political dynamics within a single Indian subcontinent could have impacted regional stability and security issues differently without partition.
Global Influence
- Global Role: A unified and potentially more powerful subcontinent could have had a more significant impact on global affairs, given its large population, resources, and strategic location.
- Strongest army: In terms of military personnel, the Indian Army (which includes Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India) would surpass China to become the largest army in the world. China is currently ahead of India. Additionally, for the sake of national security, the Research and Analysis Wing(RAW) and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) would have collaborated.
Greatest hockey and cricket team
- Strongest Cricket and Hockey team: That would have made the national cricket team unstoppable. Consider a team that included Wasim Akram, Sachin Tendulkar, Waqar Yunus, Shahid Afridi, and Sourav Ganguly. Also, teams from Lahore and Karachi would have participated in the IPL. But India vs. Pakistan matches and such thrilling clashes would not take place if united. Also. without the competition between Pakistan and India, cricket would be the most boring game. Furthermore, without the Indo-Pak rivalry, there would be no Champions Trophy final in 2017, no Sixes of Miandad in Sharjah, and no T20 World Cup final in 2007. Hockey would have benefited greatly from a united India, as it would have allowed the team to surpass its current competitors.
The world’s most populous nation
- Most populous country in the world: India will be the world’s most populous country with 1.7 billion people. In addition to having more people than Uttar Pradesh, Bengal would have been the most populous state or province worldwide. If united, India would become the most populous country in the world, housing 500 million Muslims, making it the largest Muslim nation. India currently boasts the third-biggest Muslim population in the world. Furthermore, India also has the greatest Hindu population worldwide.
Change of political scenario
- Rise of Muslim leaders: The All India Muslim League, which would have been the second-largest national party, would have existed. In places like Bengal, Hyderabad, all of Pakistan, Kashmir, etc., it would have been a huge success. With millions of Twitter followers, Dawood Ibrahim would have been among India’s most powerful Muslim leaders.
- Regional Stability: The political dynamics within a single Indian subcontinent could have impacted regional stability and security issues differently without partition. Sikhs could have gone to Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Hindus to Hinglaj Devi Temple, and Muslims to Jama Masjid. Jadhav and Sarbijit would enjoy sitting comfortably in their homes. Malala Yosafzai and Kailash Satyarthi would have collaborated on projects about the welfare of children.
- Increased presence of the Maritimes: A maritime nation significantly influences its political, economic, and military spheres through its marine and naval capabilities. In addition to sharing an international land boundary of over 3,323 km, Pakistan and India are antagonistic neighbors that also share maritime space in the Indian Ocean region. India would have enjoyed longer marine borders if the split of India and Pakistan had never taken place.
The scene of Bollywood
- Effect on movies: There would have been greater racism in Bollywood. Raj Kapoor and clan could be operating a Theatre company. There won’t be any more films like Bajrangi Bhaijaanm, Gaddar, and Border either. Maybe there will be films about Indian space and moon exploration! There would have been no Tiger Zinda Hai and no Ek Tha Tiger. Bollywood would have more Punjabis and Khans. Publishers will not release books like ‘Train to Pakistan’ or shayaris like ‘Muhajirnama.’
- Effect on songs: In the same concert, Lata Mangeshkar, Mohd. Rafi, Kishore Kumar, and Nusrat Fateh Alikhan would have performed. What if Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and S.P. Bala Subramanyam sang a song together? For decades, it would have topped the charts. Also, singers from Pakistan won’t face bans.
Overall, the absence of partition would have shaped the Indian subcontinent into a different geopolitical and cultural entity, with unique challenges and opportunities.
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