Redcliffe Award

Chapter No.
2
Initial Problems of Pakistan
Silent Reading (2-mins)
 Pakistan was created on August 14, 1947, mainly because of the determined efforts of
Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. It was a big deal in the 1900s because Pakistan
became the largest Muslim country in the world thanks to the hard work and sacrifices of
the Muslims in the region. But it also brought new problems because non-Muslims and
the All India National Congress strongly didn't like the idea of Pakistan. Congress leaders
wanted to create so many problems for this new Muslim country that it would get scared
and go back to being part of India.
 Pakistan had some problems right from the start, but India made them even worse.
 We will cover some major problems faced by Pakistan in the initial stage of its creation.
Radcliffe Award
2ND YEAR
PAKISTAN STUDIES
Background
 The Indian Independence Act of 1947 established Boundary Commissions

for the division and delimitation of Punjab and Bengal.
 It was also decided that both delimitation commissions will include two
representatives from Pakistan and India each, and Sir Cyril Radcliffe was
appointed as the head of both commissions.
 Several sessions of both the Group of Boundary Commission i.e. Bengal
and Punjab were held but representatives of the Congress and Muslim
League could not agree on any point.
Composition of the Commission
 Both commissions included representatives from Pakistan and India, with Sir
Cyril Radcliffe as the head.
• Punjab Delimitation Commission:
• Pakistan represented by Justice Deen Muhammad and Justice Muhammad Munir.
• India represented by Justice Mehr Chand Mahajan and Justice Teja Singh.
• Bengal Delimitation Commission:
• Pakistan represented by Abu Saleh Muhammad Akram and S.A Rehman.
• India represented by C.C. Biswas and B.K Mukherjee.
• Radcliffe's Authority: Radcliffe had the final decision-making authority in case
of disagreements among commission members.
Controversial Decisions
1. Gurdaspur District: Despite being a Muslim-majority area,

Gurdaspur was annexed to India, giving India access to Kashmir
via Pathankot.
2. Tehsil Pathankot: This Hindu-majority tehsil of Gurdaspur was
given to India.
3. Tehsil Batala: With a 70 percent Muslim population and
geographical proximity to Pakistan, it was denied to Pakistan due
to British and Hindu influence.
Unchanged Award vs. Revised Award:
 Radcliffe submitted the draft of the award to Lord Mountbatten on

August 9, but Mountbatten announced it on August 17. The
unchanged award included Ferozepur and Zira tehsils in West
Punjab (Pakistan), but in the revised award, these areas were given
to East Punjab (India). The change occurred between August 9 and
August 17.
Silent Reading
 Justice Munir wanted a discussion on all these disputed areas, but Radcliffe told him that
there was no point in discussing Ferozepur and Zeera, as these tehsils had already been
decided in favor of Pakistan, however, later on these tehsils were handed over to India.
 These facts were later expressed by the Muslim members of the Punjab Delimitation
Commission at different times. On April 24, 1958, while giving a statement before the West
Pakistan High Court, Justice Deen Muhammad said That Sir Cyrill Radcliffe had ceded
Ferozepur, Ferozepur headworks and some other areas to Pakistan but later the delimitation
award was changed.
 This was also confirmed by the other Muslim member of the Delimitation Commission,
Justice Muhammad Munir, during a speech on 22 April 1960. He said that “Radcliffe told me
in very clear terms that the three Tehsils of Ferozepur, Zira and Fazilka belonged to Pakistan.
Therefore, it is unnecessary to discuss this matter with him.”
 Calcutta in Bengal:
• Despite having a substantial Muslim population, Calcutta was
handed over to India, along with Muslim-majority districts of
Murshidabad and Nadia.
• This decision resulted in a loss of territory for Pakistan, affecting
around 3.5 million Muslims and an area of about 15,500 square
kilometers.
Cont…
 Calcutta in Bengal:
• Despite having a substantial Muslim population, Calcutta was
handed over to India, along with Muslim-majority districts of
Murshidabad and Nadia.
• This decision resulted in a loss of territory for Pakistan, affecting
around 3.5 million Muslims and an area of about 15,500 square
kilometers.
Quaid-e-Azam’s Reaction
 On October 30, 1947, Quaid-i-Azam expressed

dissatisfaction, alleging a well-thought-out conspiracy
and questioning principles of honesty, bravery, and honor.
 “Based on the injustice, this award cannot be called
constitutional. This award reflects the bad intention. Here
political decisions are made instead constitutional but as a
prestigious nation we are bound of this award.”
Thank You

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Chapter No.

 The Indian Independence Act of 1947 established Boundary Commissions

1. Gurdaspur District: Despite being a Muslim-majority area,

 Radcliffe submitted the draft of the award to Lord Mountbatten on

 On October 30, 1947, Quaid-i-Azam expressed

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