When we study UPSC Indian Geography or UPSC Partition of India, the discussion usually revolves around religion, communal tensions, and political decisions. But here’s the thing most aspirants miss: geography silently shaped some of the most crucial boundary decisions of 1947.
One of the best examples is the story of Murshidabad and Malda — two Muslim-majority districts that still became part of India. And the reasons go far beyond demography.
This is one of those topics that UPSC loves: geopolitics, rivers, boundary creation, administrative logic, and historical geography — all in one.
Contents
1. The Geography Problem: West Bengal Could Not Become Discontiguous
If Murshidabad and Malda had gone to East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh), West Bengal would have been split in two separate pieces.
- North Bengal (Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Dinajpur)
- South Bengal (Nadia, 24 Parganas, Burdwan, Bankura)
Between them would lie East Pakistan territory.
A broken, disconnected West Bengal was seen as an administrative nightmare — politically, economically, and strategically.
So, continuity of space (territorial contiguity) became a decisive factor for the Radcliffe Line.
This is a classic example of UPSC Geography meets Indian polity & boundary-making.
2. The River Factor: Why the Hooghly/ Bhagirathi Changed Everything
The Hooghly River (Bhagirathi in the north) flows through Malda and Murshidabad before entering South Bengal and Kolkata.
If these districts went to Pakistan:
- The Hooghly would enter Pakistan first
- Then re-enter India
- Meaning India’s lifeline river and the Kolkata Port would depend on a foreign country
This was unacceptable.
For Kolkata port’s functioning, economic security, river management, and cultural importance (like Nadia — birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu), the Hooghly had to remain entirely within India.
This single geographical element strongly influenced the final boundary — something UPSC aspirants must remember.
3. The Great Exchange: Khulna & Chittagong Hill Tracts
To retain Murshidabad and Malda, India agreed to give away:
Khulna District
- Hindu-majority at the time (around 51–52%)
- But geographically aligned with East Pakistan
- Easier for Pakistan to administer due to direct river + port connectivity
Chittagong Hill Tracts
- 98% non-Muslim population
- Buddhist tribes (Chakma), Hindus
- But geopolitically important for East Pakistan’s Chittagong Port security
This was a geography-driven bargain:
India kept the river & continuity. Pakistan kept the port security zone.
A perfect example that partition wasn’t just about religion — it was geography, rivers, ports, and administrative logic.
4. Why UPSC Aspirants Must Study This
This topic fits directly into multiple UPSC themes:
- Radcliffe Line geography
- Boundary demarcation factors (beyond religion)
- Rivers as strategic assets
- Partition & geopolitical mapping
- Regional geography of West Bengal & Bangladesh
UPSC has asked similar analytical questions in both GS1 & optional papers.
Check out our GS Geography Course – Click Here
FAQs
- #UPSCGeography: What geographical factors influenced Murshidabad and Malda staying with India?
- #RadcliffeLineUPSC: Why was the Radcliffe Line modified on 17 August 1947?
- #PartitionOfIndiaUPSC: What role did rivers like the Hooghly play in the partition boundary decisions?
- #WestBengalGeographyUPSC: Why would West Bengal have become discontiguous if Murshidabad and Malda went to East Pakistan?
