Pakistan or the partition of India Paperback – October 17, 2025

I was looking to understand reasons behind partition, I found a treasure of knowledge in this book. Arguments for, against and rational middle ground are explained so clearly. Hard hitting book that works against preconceived notions of Indians around partition time. Must read for every Indian and Pakistani national.

Must read to know about the philosophy of Indian National Congress. Really an eye opener on what led to creation of Pakistan and why it was a necessity for India's overall security.

I will highly recommend this book those who are history lover and wanted to understand India's partition story with facts.

Amazing and unbiased introduction to history of two nations. A great book, by genius Baba Saheb!

Great insightful book,

Very disappointed by this...

Huge disappointment. The tables are not formatted correctly making it very difficult to fillow

Why many of us were unaware of such gems is beyond me. The brilliant take on all sides by Dr Ambedkar and clarity and awareness of the "real" issue behind partition and what 2-nation really meant is brought out with references. Must read for people to understand and be aware of why that was not a one-off event and is likely being engineered even today.

Ambedkar provides a well-balanced discussion of why the creation of Pakistan was justified. His opinions were always based on cold facts and reason instead of on speculation and emotion. No wonder he was asked to lead the momentous task of drafting India's Constitution!

Ambedkar doesn't mince words when he does a detailed analysis of pros and cons of partitioning India. In doing so, Ambedkar analyses the then Muslim and Hindu society and goes to the origin of the problem.He makes many statements in this book that would make a hardcore Hindu nationalist blush.

If you stroll around any Indian city, you will find that political posters are a common sight. You don’t have to look hard to notice that almost all political parties claim Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as their own. The latest political party to claim him as their political mascot is the incumbent BJP. Dr. B.R Ambedkar, a polymath, is fondly remembered as the Chief Architect of the Indian constitution and a social reformer. A poll conducted on 2012 on ‘The Greatest Indian’ concluded Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as the winner followed by the late president Dr. Abdul Kalam. Yet, he didn’t enjoy such popularity during his own lifetime. In fact, he lost the general election to former assistant in 1952. If his posthumous popularity is a strange phenomenon, the political battle over his legacy is even stranger. Considering the fact that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, like his compatriot Nehru, has left a lot of writing. So, what does ‘The Greatest Indian’ has to say about ‘The question of Pakistan’- the most contentious topic in subcontinent. He clearly states in the prologue that the aim of writing this book (written in 1945) is to expound the scheme of Pakistan and not to advocate it. Using his economist and law background, he makes both for and against the case for Pakistan. The book was broadly divided in to five parts; Muslim case for Pakistan, Hindu case against Pakistan, what if not Pakistan, Pakistan & its malaise and Must there be a Pakistan. In the final section, he presents his own views in unequivocal terms.In ‘Muslim case for Pakistan’, he makes the argument from the Muslim League perspective. He basically argues if Gandhi’s idea of states based on language and the league’s idea of states based on religion are the same, and expounds the various failed attempts to share power and representation between Congress and the league.In ‘Hindu case against Pakistan’, he makes three clear arguments – Breaking up of unity, Weakening of Indian defense and Pakistan fails to solve the communal problem. In Breaking up of unity, he expounds the historical baggage between the two communities. (Recently, many mischievous provocateurs are circulating selective quotes or misquotes from this chapter). In weakening of defense, he explains the historical recruiting pattern of the British army and disproportionate amount of the armed forces were recruited from the Punjab region (Both Punjabi Muslims and Sikhs) and provides his remedies. He rightly argues Pakistan doesn’t solve the communal problem and the problem of majority vs minority will remain in India.In ‘what if not Pakistan’, he shares the possible alternatives to the Pakistan and draws comparison from abroad (Turkey-Greece and Czechoslovakia).In Pakistan & its malaise, he calls out all the social and cultural problems which overwhelms the areas - which is to become Pakistan. Condition of women, caste system and communal aggression to name a few.He very prescient in the section ‘Must there be a Pakistan’. Even if the idea of Pakistan is half-baked, He says the creation of new nation state has to be conceded because it is a matter of sentiment and unity of the nation cannot be maintained by force. He foretells that the allocation of financial assets, delimitation of areas and transfer of population will be the problem of Pakistan. He is critical of C.R Formula proposed by C. Rajagopalachari since the six points cannot be executed concurrently. He also provides his possible solution for the problems (based on the lessons from Partition of Ireland and Turkish-Greek population exchange). Alas, if only people heeded to his advice the great tragedy could have been avoided.After reading this book, one cannot fail to appreciate his adroit analysis, foresight and courage in writing this work. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar is a maverick and radical figure who cannot be claimed by any single party.

Book is having in depth knowledge. Deep study observed in content. Worth reading and for giving gift its an good knowledge box on Ambedkar and independence era.

Having heard so much about this book and reading citations at many places I wanted to buy this book and searched for it on Amazon quite some time back. At that time it showed: Unavailable.On a random search as soon as it showed up on Amazon, I decided to buy it. I imagined, it would be a collectors’ item and decided to order an expensive hardbound copy. Quoting the author himself “it is an analytical presentation of Indian history and Indian politics in their communal aspects.” And true to my imagination and whatever I have read of it, it is a wonderfully written book; though, I have yet to completely read it.But, I am disappointed by its production quality; the paper quality and printing quality. Probably, the printer took the plates from his 1945 archives and ran the same without bothering about the quality of reprint it would generate. Perhaps, he never bothered about the font becoming too small and at times not fully formed and difficult to read. The paper is not opaque enough as print on one side leaves an impression on the other and makes the text further difficult to read. One buys a classic non-fiction for retaining it and the paper, ink, font etc should be of a quality that it can be read and highlighted, written notes on and re-read and relished over a long period of time and not on disposable newsprint. Amazon may compare its quality with similarly priced volumes shipped to me earlier.It is a feedback to your printers that they should take care of production quality while bringing out such reputed, classical celebrated works and not lower yours as well as theirs reputation.