Why did British PM Attlee think Bengal was going to be an independent country in 1947?

[Md Akmal]

May not be the exact reason that CHT was given to east Pakistan. It was the remotest territory that was more suitable with Pakistan than with India.

It was the old Khulna District that was virtually exchanged with Murshidabad. Khulna had Khan Abdus Sabur Khan who fought tooth and nail to keep it with Pakistan. In exchange, Murshidabad was allotted to India. Murshidabad was Muslim-majority. On the contrary, Khulna was Hindu-majority.

Had Murshidabad a strong Muslim leader like Khan Abdus Sabur Khan it could have joined Pakistan without a doubt. Pakistan flag remained hoisted there for about four days before the Indian flag was raised.

@ To some extend you are correct but again it was necessary to give a corridor to India to have a link with Seven Sisters? Now, if Murshidabad and Mardah districts were given to East Bengal then how could West Dinajpur and Koch Bihar could have link with Calcutta ? All these were made in consultation with Congress< Muslim Leaque and Boundary Commission. But surely Karimganj and other parts of Assam which were supposed to annexed with East Bengal were not given.

 

[bluesky]

@ To some extend you are correct but again it was necessary to give a corridor to India to have a link with Seven Sisters? Now, if Murshidabad and Mardah districts were given to East Bengal then how could West Dinajpur and Koch Bihar could have link with Calcutta ? All these were made in consultation with Congress< Muslim Leaque and Boundary Commission. But surely Karimganj and other parts of Assam which were supposed to annexed with East Bengal were not given.

Yes, for the reason that you have mentioned that Khulna was given to Pakistan in exchange and CHT was given because of its old link with Chittagong (note, it is called the Chittagong Hill Tracts) and it was too far away from other Indian territories and so close to Chittagong itself. Even Tripura Rajjya wanted to be with Pakistan. But, the then Chief Minister Khwaja Nazimuddin did not want it because its population was mostly Hindus.

 

[Cookie Monster]

The ideal solution would have been to restore the Mughal Empire. There were progeny still alive. Transition would have been smooth and United

Unlikely. The Hindu/Muslim and in part Sikh divide emerged due to divide and rule concept introduced by the British when Mughals still ruled. They bribed/encouraged/supported various factions within the so called "united India"(from the time they barely started operating in india until they completely took it over). This divide between Muslims and non Muslims in India further increased in the aftermath of 1857 war. The British mostly held Muslims responsible for the 1857 struggle and this saw them increasingly sidelined while others were able to climb up the ladder and get various government jobs. So when the independence movement took hold, the ones at the forefront were non Muslims and mainly Hindus. This along with the fact that they were a minority basically ruled out any possibility of a "united India". The only slight possibility that existed was the proposal of a "secular state", which did attract a sizable number of Muslims...but that "promise" paled in comparison to the "guarantee" that was getting a separate country.

 

[Homo Sapiens]

Yes, for the reason that you have mentioned that Khulna was given to Pakistan in exchange and CHT was given because of its old link with Chittagong (note, it is called the Chittagong Hill Tracts) and it was too far away from other Indian territories and so close to Chittagong itself. Even Tripura Rajjya wanted to be with Pakistan. But, the then Chief Minister Khwaja Nazimuddin did not want it because its population was mostly Hindus.

There were 565 princely states. 13 princely states acceded to West Pakistan, all the rest to India. We should have got one. It would have been ideal if Tripura merged with East Bengal. Queen of Tripura was interested to it. As most of her asset was in Comilla district. For transportation, communication and economic viability also it was logical for Tripura to merge with East Bengal. Queen even came to Dhaka to discuss with top Muslim league leadership about the terms of accession. But Muslim leaguers showed no interest. Then they were busy sending tribal lashkar to Kashmir to capture it by force. This is how, Muslim leaguer from the beginning sacrificed the interest of East Bengal. Another glaring example was Calcutta-Lahore exchange. By the way, Queen returned unsuccessful and Tripura merged with India in 15 November, 1949. Tripura was one of the last princely state which merged with India. It took whooping more than 2 years to do so. Clearly an unwilling merger from the Tripura side.

 

[Ahmet Pasha]

Bcuz they designed it how they designed West Bank

 

[TopCat]

Yes, for the reason that you have mentioned that Khulna was given to Pakistan in exchange and CHT was given because of its old link with Chittagong (note, it is called the Chittagong Hill Tracts) and it was too far away from other Indian territories and so close to Chittagong itself. Even Tripura Rajjya wanted to be with Pakistan. But, the then Chief Minister Khwaja Nazimuddin did not want it because its population was mostly Hindus.

Khulna was exchanged for Murshidabad. CHT came along with Sylhet after the plebiscite of Sylhet as CHT though had a special administrative status yet was under Sylhet. I dont know the exact format of it.

 

[bluesky]

There were 565 princely states. 13 princely states acceded to West Pakistan, all the rest to India. We should have got one. It would have been ideal if Tripura merged with East Bengal. Queen of Tripura was interested to it. As most of her asset was in Comilla district. For transportation, communication and economic viability also it was logical for Tripura to merge with East Bengal. Queen even came to Dhaka to discuss with top Muslim league leadership about the terms of accession. But Muslim leaguers showed no interest. Then they were busy sending tribal lashkar to Kashmir to capture it by force. This is how, Muslim leaguer from the beginning sacrificed the interest of East Bengal. Another glaring example was Calcutta-Lahore exchange. By the way, Queen returned unsuccessful and Tripura merged with India in 15 November, 1949. Tripura was one of the last princely state which merged with India. It took whooping more than 2 years to do so. Clearly an unwilling merger from the Tripura side.

Exactly this is what happened. Even though Nazimuddin was from Dhaka he was more a Muslim Leaguer than a patriot. He caused the loss of Tripura. Tripura Maharani came to Dhaka and requested an audience with Khwaja Nazimuddin, the Chief Minister, which did not come along. We lost Tripura and the people of Tripura are suffering and want to depend upon BD for their progress.

I believe you know that before partition, there was one Tripura District and one Tripura Rajjya with the present-day Comilla being the seat of both the govts. Tripura State moved its Capital to Agartala and the name of Tripura district was changed to Comilla District after the partition in 1947.

 

[Md Akmal]

Yes, for the reason that you have mentioned that Khulna was given to Pakistan in exchange and CHT was given because of its old link with Chittagong (note, it is called the Chittagong Hill Tracts) and it was too far away from other Indian territories and so close to Chittagong itself. Even Tripura Rajjya wanted to be with Pakistan. But, the then Chief Minister Khwaja Nazimuddin did not want it because its population was mostly Hindus.

@ Dear @blusky, here you are again little bit mistaken ? What I read that the Queen of Tripura came to East Bengal back in early 1948 to meet with Jinnah. She had a long meeting with the then Chief Minister of East Bengal Mr Khaja Nazimuddin regarding her merging with East Bengal. Accordingly Nizamuddin gave a signal to Jinnah. But Jinnah was too busy to raise a Tribal Para Military to intrude into Kashmir. After a long gap Jinnah replied that at this critical juncture he cannot meet with her. After staying about 2 weeks in Dhaka she went to Tripura with empty hand. Finally, in October 1948 Indian Army went and annex Tripura with India.

@ Now, the question arises why didn't Jinnah mate with the Queen of Tripura where she came voluntarily to East Bengal ? Was he not interested to merge Tripura with Pakistan ? Now to understand this question we have to understand that we have to see in that critical moment Jinnah was trying to annex Kashmir with the help of pathan tribal force of "Gaier Alaka". Moreso, at that time in East Bengal Pakistan had only 1 x Punjab Regiment. With this lone Battalion how could he venture such a big move ? Blaming Jinnah or Nazim is useless.

 

[Buddhistforlife]

Yes, for the reason that you have mentioned that Khulna was given to Pakistan in exchange and CHT was given because of its old link with Chittagong (note, it is called the Chittagong Hill Tracts) and it was too far away from other Indian territories and so close to Chittagong itself. Even Tripura Rajjya wanted to be with Pakistan. But, the then Chief Minister Khwaja Nazimuddin did not want it because its population was mostly Hindus.

CHT should have joined India or Myanmar in 1947 because the population in CHT are mostly Buddhists. The Muslim government of Bangladesh have illegally occupied CUT and have enslaved the Buddhist population of CHT.

CHT which was once known for the beautiful Buddhist pagodas and monasteries have now become a place full of terrorist breeding madrassas and masjids.

@ Dear @blusky, here you are again little bit mistaken ? What I read that the Queen of Tripura came to East Bengal back in early 1948 to meet with Jinnah. She had a long meeting with the then Chief Minister of East Bengal Mr Khaja Nazimuddin regarding her merging with East Bengal. Accordingly Nizamuddin gave a signal to Jinnah. But Jinnah was too busy to raise a Tribal Para Military to intrude into Kashmir. After a long gap Jinnah replied that at this critical juncture he cannot meet with her. After staying about 2 weeks in Dhaka she went to Tripura with empty hand. Finally, in October 1948 Indian Army went and annex Tripura with India.

@ Now, the question arises why didn't Jinnah mate with the Queen of Tripura where she came voluntarily to East Bengal ? Was he not interested to merge Tripura with Pakistan ? Now to understand this question we have to understand that we have to see in that critical moment Jinnah was trying to annex Kashmir with the help of pathan tribal force of "Gaier Alaka". Moreso, at that time in East Bengal Pakistan had only 1 x Punjab Regiment. With this lone Battalion how could he venture such a big move ? Blaming Jinnah or Nazim is useless.

Don't lie. Tripura is a Hindu majority state and there is no reason for them to merge with Muslim majority Pakistan.

Hindus will die but will never live with Muslims, it's a fact.

 

[Homo Sapiens]

Khulna was exchanged for Murshidabad. CHT came along with Sylhet after the plebiscite of Sylhet as CHT though had a special administrative status yet was under Sylhet. I dont know the exact format of it.

Murshidabad was vital for the Kolkata port as that is where Ganges enters into Bengal and split into Padma and Hugli river. If West Bengal lost Murshidabad to Eastern Pakistan then, then it would have lost control over the head water of Hugli. It could have compromised the well being of Kolkata port and Kolkata city itself. The overriding priority of Radcliffe was Kolkata as well as Congress lobbied strongly for inclusion of Murshidabad into India. Even if that means giving Eastern Pakistan a compensation like Khulna district. Khulna district had a bare Hindu majority of 51%, it was noway vital for the well being of Kolkata. So Khulna was a bargaining chip which the Congress leadership used to get the better deal.

On the other hand, CHT was given to East Bengal for 2 reasons-

1. As Radcliffe given Bengal's premier port kolkata to India, East Bengal was left only with Chittagong port. He wanted East Bengal's only port to have some buffer areas. And that buffer areas was CHT.

2. CHT was isolated from West Bengal, so contiguous majority principle for Partitioning Bengal could not have been applied for CHT. Plus, CHT had no transportation link with neighboring Assam province. It's only access was through Chittagong district. Radcliffe given great care to not to severe the existing transportation link with boundary. So it was only logical that CHT should be given to East Bengal. CHT had no strategic importance for India and had little or no economic value. So Radcliffe could favor this small gift to East Bengal knowing that he had given India the much bigger prizes.

CHT should have joined India or Myanmar in 1947 because the population in CHT are mostly Buddhists. The Muslim government of Bangladesh have illegally occupied CUT and have enslaved the Buddhist population of CHT.

CHT which was once known for the beautiful Buddhist pagodas and monasteries have now become a place full of terrorist breeding madrassas and masjids.

Partition in 1947 was not a clear cut partition always faithful to the original premise of dividing the land according to majority religion. So a lot of Muslim majority districts were awarded to India which should have come to Pakistan, while some Hindu majority areas came to East Bengal as a compensation(always smaller than what was taken away). Buddist majority CHT was part of that bargaining. Why do you think, the concern of 2 lakh Bhuddist in CHT should get a special treatment when 11 million Hindus were stranded in East Bengal, 7 million Hindus and Shikhs were stranded in West Pakistan and 40 million Muslim were stranded into India by partition? CHT was a small part of a much much bigger scheme in hands.

So, do not cry foul. If any tribal in CHT do not like Bangladesh, he is welcome to migrate to his country of liking either in India or Myanmar. Radcliffe award is a done deal, a foregone closed chapter. There is no scope to dispute or challenge any of it's decision. Otherwise a Pandora's box will be opened.

 

[Mage]

Murshidabad was vital for the Kolkata port as that is where Ganges enters into Bengal and split into Padma and Hugli river. If West Bengal lost Murshidabad to Eastern Pakistan then, then it would have lost control over the head water of Hugli. It could have compromised the well being of Kolkata port and Kolkata city itself. The overriding priority of Radcliffe was Kolkata as well as Congress lobbied strongly for inclusion of Murshidabad into India. Even if that means giving Eastern Pakistan a compensation like Khulna district. Khulna district had a bare Hindu majority of 51%, it was noway vital for the well being of Kolkata. So Khulna was a bargaining chip which the Congress leadership used to get the better deal.

On the other hand, CHT was given to East Bengal for 2 reasons-

1. As Radcliffe given Bengal's premier port kolkata to India, East Bengal was left only with Chittagong port. He wanted East Bengal's only port to have some buffer areas. And that buffer areas was CHT.

2. CHT was isolated from West Bengal, so contiguous majority principle for Partitioning Bengal could not have been applied for CHT. Plus, CHT had no transportation link with neighboring Assam province. It's only access was through Chittagong district. Radcliffe given great care to not to severe the existing transportation link with boundary. So it was only logical that CHT should be given to East Bengal. CHT had no strategic importance for India and had little or no economic value. So Radcliffe could favor this small gift to East Bengal knowing that he had given India the much bigger prizes.

Partition in 1947 was not a clear cut partition always faithful to the original premise of dividing the land according to majority religion. So a lot of Muslim majority districts were awarded to India which should have come to Pakistan, while some Hindu majority areas came to East Bengal as a compensation(always smaller than what was taken away). Buddist majority CHT was part of that bargaining. Why do you think, the concern of 2 lakh Bhuddist in CHT should get a special treatment when 11 million Hindus were stranded in East Bengal, 7 million Hindus and Shikhs were stranded in West Pakistan and 40 million Muslim were stranded into India by partition? CHT was a small part of a much much bigger scheme in hands.

So, do not cry foul. If any tribal in CHT do not like Bangladesh, he is welcome to migrate to his country of liking either in India or Myanmar. Radcliffe award is a done deal, a foregone closed chapter. There is no scope to dispute or challenge any of it's decision. Otherwise a Pandora's box will be opened.

What has happened has happened. But it seems clear that Muslim League did not bargain for Territories in Eastern front. They could have easily gotten Tripura. Could have gotten many more districts to merge with East Pakistan. But they were only focused on gaining territories on Western side.

 

[Homo Sapiens]

What has happened has happened. But it seems clear that Muslim League did not bargain for Territories in Eastern front. They could have easily gotten Tripura. Could have gotten many more districts to merge with East Pakistan. But they were only focused on gaining territories on Western side.

True, East Bengal should have given more territorial compensation for loosing Calcutta. Calcutta was the Capital, largest urban center of the whole sub continent, all the industry, infrastructure of Bengal was there, had the biggest chunk of revenue sources. It's prosperity was mainly due to East Bengal's raw materials. But East Bengal(Bigger part of Bengal) completely stripped off all of these and got no compensation in exchange. Muslim League fought tooth and nail for inclusion of Lahore to Pakistani Punjab. But they did nothing to lobby Mountbatten-Radcliffe for Calcutta or any compensation for it. Another Muslim League treachery was Tripura as you mentioned. These are just 2 example of their long lists of betrayal against East Bengal. No wonder, they were rooted out from East Bengal forever after 1954 election.

But they were only focused on gaining territories on Western side.

Correct, Jinnah given blank papers to the maharajas of Hindu majority princely state of Jodhpur, Bikaner and Jaisalmer to write down any condition to accede Pakistan. He would accept them without hesitation. These states were on the border of West Pakistan. But such type of activism was totally absent in Eastern side. Here Tripura queen herself came to Dhaka and stayed for 15 days to discuss about acceding East Pakistan, but Muslim leaguers ignored her completely.

 

[Mirzah]

CHT should have joined India or Myanmar in 1947 because the population in CHT are mostly Buddhists. The Muslim government of Bangladesh have illegally occupied CUT and have enslaved the Buddhist population of CHT.

CHT which was once known for the beautiful Buddhist pagodas and monasteries have now become a place full of terrorist breeding madrassas and masjids.


Don't lie. Tripura is a Hindu majority state and there is no reason for them to merge with Muslim majority Pakistan.

Hindus will die but will never live with Muslims, it's a fact.

There should be a haha react option for these kind of posts on PDF like Facebook