Partition — Social Studies definition
Division of a territory into separate political units under particular decisions and conditions.
Where it is taught
- South Asia: Independence, Partition & State Building — Independence, Regional Conflicts & Cold War’s End, Global History & Geography II: c. 1750 to the Early 21st Century, Grade 10
In use
In 1947 British rule ended and partition created India and Pakistan, with Pakistan including eastern and western wings.
South Asia: Independence, Partition & State Building
Questions using partition
Problem 1
Does partition mean that all Muslims lived in Pakistan and all Hindus in India?
Answer and explanation
No. Substantial communities remained across borders, and identities and choices were diverse. Political boundaries do not establish uniform religious populations or unanimous preferences.
Response criteria
- Describe the historical context and institutions accurately.
- Connect relevant evidence to an explained conclusion.
- Represent particular perspectives without stereotypes or invented testimony.
- Identify an evidentiary limitation or a distinction that qualifies the claim.