MEET VAGISHA! She has spoken to over 30 Partition witnesses, and the process has changed her views of Partition. Here’s how it felt.

Video clip by Nikolaus Wylie.

#1947Partition #India #Pakistan #Bangaldesh #oralhistory #refugee #stories #witness #love

MEET DANIYAL! Have traveled far and wide in his country to record 27 interviews, Daniyal shares the various ways in which Partition has impacted different communities. Have you engaged in similar conversations?

Video clip by Nikolaus Wylie.

#1947Partition #oralhistory #refugee

Apply now! Record history, meet people & travel as a Story Scholar for The Archive - Deadline is 15th May, 2024. Here's the link: in.1947partitionarchive.org/storyscholars

Ram Dulal Das was heavily involved in Shanti Sangha, one of the oldest athletic clubs in his locality. He even became a recruiter for the club’s football team, and is credited with bringing in local legend, Mangal Purakayastha, to play for Shanti Sangha's football team.

'More than half of the city, where Hindu families used to live, had been burnt down. It was the worst time. There was a huge influx and exodus of families. I was heartbroken to see Lahore in that state,' says Sher Mohammad.

A long-time resident of #Malerkotla , Naseeb Kaur Shemaan believes the violence of the #1947Partition started in the western front. Trains passing through her region carried injured migrants in both directions.

In loving memory of Shakuntla Sethi
1929 - 2018

Gruesome scenes on trains arriving in #Quetta , #Balochistan sparked revenge killings. Shakuntla Sethi’s father was a stationmaster who bravely hid vulnerable people on the tracks during attacks.

In 1971, one of Krishna Sengupta’s politically influential relatives, lived close to the border in East Pakistan. Out of the blue one day, hIs sons were taken away by officers, and shot. Mukhti Jodhas saved the rest of the family.

“On Musicians Street, we used to live together like brothers and sisters; sons and daughters,” Nissar Ali recalls of his mohalla in #Lahore . During the #1947Partition , he watched as hate and violence scarred his once peaceful community.

'My family’s karkhana (timber factory) was burned to ashes by a mob. With only a day’s notice, they were asked to leave Amritsar. They packed up and left their life savings, the factory, the houses, the land, and all their cattle behind,' Fauzia Parviz says.

One day, a woman had fallen in by the Victoria Sahib Gurudwara. Dara Singh Longia jumped in to save her and escorted her home. Her family believed she was dead. By the time they arrived, the family had already performed the final rituals for her.

“After some uproar in our mohalla, my father was arrested,” Zirgha Muddin says. His family struggled financially with no support. There were many times when they had nothing to eat except rotis dipped in water.

Janak Talwar’s entire extended family waded through flood waters for about seven miles (~11 km) to the nearest railway station. They did not drink any water because of the rumors that it had been poisoned.

At the age of 22, Mohan Singh ran away from home because he did not want to be a farmer. He became a police officer and was working in #TobaTekSingh when the #1947Partition was announced. He migrated on foot to #Faisalabad .

🗓️ March 9, 2024: Join us in safeguarding endangered memories! The Archive's latest Free Oral History Workshop is here, giving voice to individuals who witnessed Partition. Reserve your spot: in.1947partitionarchive.org/collect_stories

🗂️ #1947Partition #OralHistory

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS for a full time position based at our Berkeley, California location: Digital Oral History Archivist and Archives Educator.

Check the link for details, including required experience and education.

careers.archivists.org/jobs/19595586/