This is one of the most acclaimed books about the India Pakistan partition happened in Aug 1947. It talks about the human dimension of the partition in comparison to the political and economic dimensions of the contemporary books.
The story is set in a fictional village of Mano Majra on the borders of India and Pakistan and dominated by Sikhs. The protagonist- Juggat Singh is a Sikh in love with a Muslim girl. The day before the call is given for Muslim separation in Mano Majra, the village’s only rich man is murdered and Juggu is captured in relation to the murder.
The lover girl is pregnant and she with her blind father leave for Pakistan to be taken as refugees. Juggu is released from jail to find that there is a train arriving at Mano Majro full of dead Sikh bodies. There’s not a lone man who is alive.
There is more violence and bloodshed. Muslims say Hindus planned and started the killings and Hindus in turn say Muslims are to blame. But the fact is both are killed. Both are stabbed and speared and clubbed. Both tortured. Both raped.
If the initial down-for-count pages are passed through patiently, there is a good picture of the 1947 partition event and a wonderful narration follow.
Thanks Rohith for the comment and yes its a good book. But be patient to tolerate the slow pace of flipping pages
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