Partition of the Indian Subcontinent and Its Socio‑Historical Impact on Jhang District (Punjab, Pakistan) in 1947.

Abstract

The partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947 triggered one of the largest migrations in human history and profoundly reshaped the social, political, and demographic landscape of Punjab. This research article examines the socio‑historical consequences of the Partition in Jhang District, an important agrarian and cultural region of Punjab. Using historical records, census data, oral testimonies, and secondary scholarship, the study analyzes migration flows, communal tensions, refugee settlement, administrative responses, and long‑term demographic transformation. The research highlights how the departure of Hindu and Sikh populations and the arrival of Muslim refugees from East Punjab fundamentally changed the economic and cultural structure of the district. The article also explores how local institutions attempted to manage violence and migration while communities adapted to new realities. By focusing on a district‑level case study, the article contributes to the broader historiography of Partition by demonstrating how national political events were experienced and negotiated at the local level.