{"id":11723,"date":"2023-10-05T15:30:34","date_gmt":"2023-10-05T15:30:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/?p=11723"},"modified":"2023-10-05T15:30:36","modified_gmt":"2023-10-05T15:30:36","slug":"the-sylhet-referendum-and-boundaries-commission-modern-history-notes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/the-sylhet-referendum-and-boundaries-commission-modern-history-notes\/","title":{"rendered":"The Sylhet Referendum and Boundaries Commission &#8211; Modern History Notes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The Sylhet referendum was held on 6 and 7 July 1947 to decide whether the Sylhet district of Assam would remain in India or join East Bengal (now Bangladesh) in Pakistan. The district had a Muslim majority, but it was also home to a large Hindu minority.<\/li><li>The referendum was held under the terms of the Mountbatten Plan, which was the plan for the partition of India. The plan stipulated that a referendum would be held in Sylhet if the district&#8217;s Muslim League leader, Khwaja Nazimuddin, requested it. Nazimuddin did request a referendum, and the vote was held on 6 and 7 July 1947.<\/li><li>The results of the referendum were decisive. Out of a total of 5,46,815 eligible voters, 4,23,660 voted in favour of joining East Bengal, while only 1,23,155 voted to remain in Assam. The turnout was 77.1%.<\/li><li>The results of the referendum led to the transfer of Sylhet to East Bengal. The district became part of Pakistan on 15 August 1947, when India and Pakistan gained independence. The transfer of Sylhet was a major blow to Assam, which lost a significant amount of territory and revenue.<\/li><li>The Sylhet referendum was a significant event in the history of India and Pakistan. It was the first time that a referendum had been held in India to decide the fate of a province. The results of the referendum showed that the Muslim League had a strong following in Sylhet, and it helped to pave the way for the creation of Pakistan.<\/li><li>The Sylhet referendum was not without its critics. Some people argued that the referendum was unfair, as it was held during a time of great communal tension. Others argued that the referendum was unnecessary, as the Muslim League had already won a majority of seats in the Sylhet district council.<\/li><li>The Sylhet referendum had a significant impact on the people of Assam. The loss of Sylhet was a major blow to the province, and it led to a sense of insecurity among the Hindu minority. The referendum also led to an increase in communal violence in Assam.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69d5b2d8b8385\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69d5b2d8b8385\"  \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/the-sylhet-referendum-and-boundaries-commission-modern-history-notes\/#The_Boundary_Commissions\" title=\"The Boundary Commissions\">The Boundary Commissions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/the-sylhet-referendum-and-boundaries-commission-modern-history-notes\/#The_Punjab_Commission\" title=\"The Punjab Commission\">The Punjab Commission<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/the-sylhet-referendum-and-boundaries-commission-modern-history-notes\/#The_Bengal_Commission\" title=\"The Bengal Commission\">The Bengal Commission<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/the-sylhet-referendum-and-boundaries-commission-modern-history-notes\/#The_Radcliffe_Awards\" title=\"The Radcliffe Awards\">The Radcliffe Awards<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/the-sylhet-referendum-and-boundaries-commission-modern-history-notes\/#The_Aftermath\" title=\"The Aftermath\">The Aftermath<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/the-sylhet-referendum-and-boundaries-commission-modern-history-notes\/#Significance\" title=\"Significance\">Significance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/the-sylhet-referendum-and-boundaries-commission-modern-history-notes\/#In_case_you_still_have_your_doubts_contact_us_on_9811333901\" title=\"In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.&nbsp;\">In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.&nbsp;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/the-sylhet-referendum-and-boundaries-commission-modern-history-notes\/#Visit_our_YouTube_Channel_%E2%80%93_here\" title=\"Visit our YouTube Channel &#8211;&nbsp;here\">Visit our YouTube Channel &#8211;&nbsp;here<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Boundary_Commissions\"><\/span><strong>The Boundary Commissions<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The Boundary Commissions were two commissions set up by the British government in 1947 to demarcate the borders between India and Pakistan. The commissions were chaired by Sir Cyril Radcliffe, a British lawyer.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Punjab_Commission\"><\/span><strong>The Punjab Commission<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The Punjab Commission was responsible for demarcating the border between Punjab and West Pakistan. The commission was given the task of dividing the province along religious lines, with Muslims going to Pakistan and Hindus and Sikhs going to India.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Bengal_Commission\"><\/span><strong>The Bengal Commission<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The Bengal Commission was responsible for demarcating the border between Bengal and East Pakistan. The commission was given the same task as the Punjab Commission, but it faced a more difficult challenge because Bengal was a more religiously mixed province.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Radcliffe_Awards\"><\/span><strong>The Radcliffe Awards<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The Radcliffe Awards were announced on 17 August 1947, just two days after India and Pakistan gained independence. The awards were met with widespread protests, as both sides felt that they had been treated unfairly.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Aftermath\"><\/span><strong>The Aftermath<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The Radcliffe Awards led to widespread communal violence in Punjab and Bengal. Millions of people were displaced, and thousands were killed. The violence continued for several months, and it took a heavy toll on both countries.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Significance\"><\/span><strong>Significance<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The Boundary Commissions were a significant event in the history of India and Pakistan. The awards led to the partition of Punjab and Bengal, and they created two new countries with very different religious compositions. The violence that followed the awards also had a lasting impact on both countries.<\/li><li>The Boundary Commissions were controversial from the start. The Indian National Congress and the Muslim League both objected to the way the commissions were set up, and they argued that the awards were unfair.<\/li><li>The Radcliffe Awards had a profound impact on the people of Punjab and Bengal. The awards displaced millions of people, and they led to widespread communal violence. The violence also had a lasting impact on the social fabric of both provinces.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"In_case_you_still_have_your_doubts_contact_us_on_9811333901\"><\/span><strong>In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.<\/strong>&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For UPSC Prelims Resources,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/upsc-cse-prelims-resource-centre\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Click here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For Daily Updates and Study Material:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Join our Telegram Channel &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/WithEdukemy4IAS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Edukemy for IAS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>1. 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Mains Answer Writing Practice &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3mZuVxl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Visit_our_YouTube_Channel_%E2%80%93_here\"><\/span>Visit our YouTube Channel &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@ShabbirsEduKemyforIAS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Sylhet referendum was held on 6 and 7 July 1947 to decide whether the Sylhet district of Assam would remain in India or join East Bengal (now Bangladesh) in Pakistan.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":11724,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[290],"tags":[186,291,232,213],"class_list":["post-11723","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-modern-history-general-studies","tag-general-studies-1","tag-modern-history","tag-upsc","tag-upsc-notes"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11723","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11723"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11723\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11725,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11723\/revisions\/11725"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11724"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11723"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11723"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11723"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}