India's Darkest Hour

Anita Rani on how her family was shattered by the bloodshed and upheaval of Partition

- Caren Clark

On 15 August 1947

India won its independence after 200 years of British rule. The subsequent division of the country saw the creation of the new Muslim homelands of West Pakistan (now Pakistan) and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), while the rest was left predominantly for Hindus and Sikhs.

However, Indian Partition caused widespread religious tension and violence, leaving an estimated one million people dead and 15 million displaced.

HARROWING