These five works of fiction by women authors are set against the backdrop of the Independence and Partition of India, and inspire us with their strong, resilient characters who survive turbulent times.

By Chanda Bisht

The month of August always brings up mixed memories for those in the Subcontinent. While India celebrates its 78th Independence Day on August 15, Pakistan celebrates its formation a day earlier. These momentous dates not only mark Independence, but also Partition – the largest mass migration in human history, when an estimated 14 million people were displaced amidst a wave of communal violence in 1947.

The Partition of India brought freedom, but at the cost of millions of lives, scarring generations of refugees who had to leave their homeland and loved ones to survive in a new country. The foundation and roots of our Independence are steeped in blood and sacrifices.

Yet, amidst the bloodshed and violence, there are numerous stories of survival and resilience. Here, we feature five works of fiction by women authors that not only offer a window into societal upheavals during Partition but also capture the emotions and personal struggles of women, highlighting their strength in the face of conflict and displacement.

These powerful stories from those turbulent times allow us to witness the raw realities and unwavering spirit of those who lived through the horrors of Partition.

Independence

By Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Independence (HarperCollins India, 2022, INR 499) by Texas-based author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is a story of love, family and loyalty set in Bengal. It offers a moving portrayal of Partition through the stories of three sisters: Priya, Jamini and Deepa. The sisters experience the turmoil and upheaval of Partition together, providing readers with a deep and personal look at this pivotal moment in history.

The novel explores how the life of a Bengali family is drastically changed when their father, a medical doctor, gets killed in a riot. His daughters face challenges and losses that force them to navigate a world that has become alien and divided.

Their stories reflect the broader impact of Partition on individuals and families, highlighting the personal sacrifices and emotional struggles that accompanied the historical upheaval.

Through this book, award-winning and bestselling author, poet, activist and educator Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni delves into the true meaning of ‘independence’ and the price one has to pay for it.

Excerpt: “Now I see that meaning well counts for nothing. Only what happens in the end matters. “

Ladies’ Tailor

By Priya Hajela

Ladies’ Tailor (HarperCollins India, 2022, INR 399) by Priya Hajela is a gripping novel set against the backdrop of the partition of Punjab. Intricately weaving together a mosaic of stories, the book captures the essence of human resilience and hope amidst the chaos. Priya Hajela, through her vivid storytelling, brings to life the struggles and triumphs of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances.

The story revolves around a tailor named Gurdev, whose life is torn apart by Partition. Forced to leave everything behind in the newly born nation of Pakistan, he embarks on a journey to rebuild his life and find his place in a new land. He sets up a small business of stitching ladies’ clothing with two of his refugee friends.

The individual stories of the characters reveal the harsh realities of the brutality that riots and violence inflicted upon them. Pune-based writer Priya Hajela, who holds an MBA from Vanderbilt University and MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College in Vermont, vividly describes these events, painting haunting images of blood dripping from train compartments and the horror of brutal deaths. The stark depiction of these atrocities is not meant just to shock but to highlight the immense suffering and the scars left on the survivors.

Each character’s story unfolds to show how they cope with loss, fear and the desperate hope for a new beginning. The novel paints a vivid picture of the challenges faced by those who had to start anew.

Excerpt: “She liked embroidery. It added to plain cloth beauty and depth that poetry added to simple words. “

Beneath Divided Skies

By Natasha Sharma

Natasha Sharma, a Pune-based software developer and fiction writer, made her debut this year as a novelist with Beneath Divided Skies (Vishwakarma Publications, 2024, INR 260), which brings out the reality of how brutally women are treated, and even used for revenge, during times of war.

The story revolves around Satya, a teenager, who witnessed her family being brutally killed. She observes the mayhem, abduction and riots caused in the name of religion. Though the book explores the lives of millions who were affected by violence and terror, it also endorses faith in humanity, seen through the vivid colours of friendship, love and kindness.

Satya falls in love with a Pakistani army officer, Iqbal Syed. After initial phases, the story brings Satya and Iqbal in close contact with each other. Knowing the fact that it won’t last long, the love story between Satya and Iqbal takes a courageous turn. Through flashbacks we learn how Satya lost her family and how she learns that her sister is missing. Her love for her sister makes her join an organization with the goal of rescuing women on either side of the border.

The book showcases the courage and determination of a woman saving the lives of other women who are treated as no more than the property of men. As the story unfolds, Satya sets out on a journey tracking down women who have been abducted, risking her own life in undercover rescue missions.

Excerpt: “…how a line drawn haphazardly on a map could massacre so many dreams, extinguish so many hopes. And all of this, even before the ink had dried.”

Victory Colony, 1950

By Bhaswati Ghosh

Bhaswati Ghosh’s Victory Colony, 1950 (Yoda Press, 2020, INR 379) provides a compelling look at the lives of Bengali women migrants. It explores how Hindu Bengalis from East Pakistan, created by the partition of Bengal, struggled to rehabilitate themselves in the newly formed India, and how these refugees battled uncertainties and insecurities at every level.

It follows the story of a young girl who flees her village after losing her parents due to communal disputes and violence. Upon arriving at Calcutta’s Sealdah railway station, she tragically loses her brother in the chaos of crossing into India and embarks on a desperate quest to find him.

Based on the aftermath of Partition and the devastating effects on migrant Bengalis, the book also narrates heartbreaking incidents that forced the refugees to leave their homeland in East Pakistan. It vividly recounts how their mass migration dramatically disrupted the socio-economic, cultural and political landscape of West Bengal.

Through this depiction, the novel highlights the crucial role played by penniless refugee women, who, alongside men, worked tirelessly to establish their own colony and carve out a path to independence.

At the same time, it addresses another form of division – an “us versus them” mentality within West Bengal between locals and refugees – and portrays the challenges that beset migration in any century.

Bhaswati Ghosh, a writer and translator based in Ontario, Canada, received the Charles Wallace Trust Fellowship for Translation for her earlier work, My Days with Ramkinkar Baij.

Victory Colony, 1950 is her first book of fiction. It is extremely relevant in today’s scenario, when a violent political upheaval in Bangladesh has created tremors of a refugee crisis for India as well.

Excerpt: “A woman is the best piece of meat for all hungry men – rioters, criminals, political leaders… For her to lose her home, hearth, family, is never enough. She must lose her final, and sometimes, her only belonging – the freedom of her body.“

The Moon from Dehradun

By Shirin Shamsi

This book stands out in our list as the only one written for children. The Moon from Dehradun: A Story of Partition (Atheneum Books, 2022, USD 18.99) by US-based author Shirin Shamsi won the South Asia Book Award for Children’s & Young Adult Literature in 2023 and several other recognitions.

Based on the real-life experiences of the author, whose own family left India during Partition, the story delves into childhood fondness for cherished possessions and their curiosity about the world around them.

The protagonist is a young girl named Azra who is forced to leave her home in Dehradun during Partition. Azra always carried her beloved doll, Gurya, everywhere she went.  She believed that even when she travelled far from home, Gurya would somehow follow her. One day, just before dinner, her father rushed in and told the family they had to leave immediately. In the ensuing commotion and rush to Lahore, Azra accidentally leaves Gurya behind.

This heartfelt tale captures young Azra’s journey of loss and hope, highlighting her courage and resilience as she navigates through the chaos of displacement. Despite the violence and upheaval around her, Azra’s innocence shines through.

This perspective brings a unique and touching view to the story, illustrating how children are affected by broader conflicts, holding on to their own small hopes and dreams. Shirin Shamsi’s narrative, paired with Tarun Lak’s captivating illustrations, makes The Moon from Dehradun a moving read that resonates with readers of all ages.

Excerpt: “Even if it’s on a train that will take her far away from the house her family has lived in for generations. Even if there is a new flag flying in Dehradun, and no place left in it for Azra. At least she will be taking a piece of home with her.”

Published under International Cooperation with "Sindh Courier"