Radcliffe Award
Radcliffe Award/Boundary Award
• Till 15th of August 1947 boundary between India and Pakistan was not yet resolved
• Sir Cyril Radcliffe was appointed by Lord Mountbatten to draw borders between newly formed countries
• Radcliffe Award is also known as Boundary Award
• Boundary Commission had four assistants, two nominated by Muslim League and remaining two by Congress
• Sir Cyril Radcliffe was appointed by Lord Mountbatten to draw borders between newly formed countries
• Radcliffe Award is also known as Boundary Award
• Boundary Commission had four assistants, two nominated by Muslim League and remaining two by Congress
Reaction to Radcliffe Award
• Muslim League was disappointed at the award
• Calcutta was given to India even though it was surrounded by Muslim area
• In Punjab, Ferozepur was given to India despite the fact it was Muslim dominating area. Earlier, it was given to Pakistan but later Radcliffe reversed his decision on pressure of Mountbatten
• In Punjab, Gurdaspur was given to India despite it had Muslim majority. With this Indians had access to Kashmir. This lead to further disputes between Pakistan and India
• Jinnah remarked the award as ‘wrong, unjust and perverse’
• Due to other pressing matters, Muslim League couldn’t take up this unjust award
Geographical Problem
• Pakistan and India had unnatural borders• Borders drawn were not just and correct
• Country was split into two separate parts almost a thousand miles apart consisting of India
• East Pakistan consisted of Bengal and district of Sylhet while Calcutta was given to India. Calcutta was an important city hosting major financial activities and modern trading port. It also had all jute industries while jute was mainly grown in East Pakistan with no major jute industry
• West Pakistan comprised of Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhawa
• Princely states of Dir, Swat, Chitral, Amb, Hunza, Gilgit and Bahawalpur also jointed West Pakistan
• Both wings had everything different but only religion common factor
The Canal Water Dispute
• This dispute originated in the partition of Punjab in 1947• Pakistan is an agricultural country and its agriculture depends on waters from canals of Rivers Jehlum, Chenab and Indus
• Flow of water from canals and rivers were controlled by headworks constructed on them went to India
• Major dispute was on Bari – Doab Canal. India wanted to control the water as it was in their territory however, Pakistan insisted that it was economically dependent on its water so it had its right over it.
• Pakistan wanted to settle the dispute in International Court of Justice but India refused
• In May 1948, a temporary agreement was reached. India allowed water flow from India into Pakistan provided that Pakistan will find for alternative water supplies
• Water problem was the most urgent problem which required a long term solution for the newly founded country
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