Topic: The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
3. The acceptance of Partition in 1947 marked the culmination of a gradual progression towards accommodating the League’s unwavering advocacy for an independent Muslim state. Critically examine. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The article discusses historian Aditya Mukherjee’s perspective on blaming Gandhi and Nehru for the partition of India in 1947.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the factors that were responsible for the partition of India.
Directive word:
Critically examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we have to look into the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgment.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by writing that partition was the result of Congress’s inability over the course of the national movement to draw Muslim masses in large numbers into the struggle for freedom.
Body:
Write about acceptance of partition in 1947 marked the culmination of the All-India Muslim League’s efforts, driven by Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s advocacy for a separate Muslim state. This gradual progression towards partition was influenced by factors such as communal tensions, political negotiations, and the changing dynamics of World War II.
Conclusion:
Conclude with the note that partition turned out to be a bloody affair, as opposed to expectations that it would be free of any violence.
