The year 1947 was a turning point in the history of South Asia. The independence
of British India resulted in two sovereign states: India and Pakistan. This book
analyses two important dimensions of the Partition-timing and causation. The
essays by prominent scholars study the long- and short-term causes of the
Partition, beginning with the elections of 1936-7 and the subsequent formation
of Congress government in most provinces. They outline the major debates and
their changing nature over time. The volume ends with the analysis of events
that led to the acceptance of the Partition plan in 1947 by all major parties.
The Introduction examines contours of the