Legacy of Partition

Can you help us?

Exploring the legacy of Partition 1947-8 : a project to gather the memories of local people who lived through the upheaval of Partition and the creation of East and West Pakistan and now live in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland

The partition of the Indian sub-Continent in 1947 led to one of the largest migrations in history. Some ten to twelve million migrants moved across the new borders in Punjab and Bengal. There was extreme violence between communities, with a death rate of between 500,000 and one million. People lost everything – families, homes, land and livelihoods. State boundaries changed and set up many problems for the future.

The resonance of Partition remains very powerful today, not just among Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis living in the subcontinent but also among those who migrated to the UK, to Leicestershire. The issues surrounding Partition remain live for those who were caught up in the events of 1947/48 and continue to have relevance – but do younger generations know and understand the significance of these events?

This project aims to collect the memories of those who lived through Partition before it is too late, and to preserve any documents or objects relating to this time. Working with community groups and local schools, it will bring together eye-witnesses and young people, to explore and explain the significance of this past conflict in the lives of Leicestershire’s people today. Travelling exhibitions, educational resources and web-based materials will be created to increase understanding between the different communities.

Exploring the Legacy of Partition is one of 28 projects nationwide to bid successfully for funding from Their Past Your Future 2 grant programme, administered by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA). MLA Logo

There are people living in Leicestershire today who were there, who witnessed these events and whose family life changed forever as a result.

Were you there?

Do you know someone whose life was affected by it?

If so, we would like to hear from you if you now live in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland.

Contact: Margaret Bonney at The Record Office, Long Street, Wigston Magna, Leicester LE18 2AH.
Tel : 0116 257 1080
Email: mbonney@leics.gov.uk

You may like to tell your story in your own way. If so, please complete the Submission Form below. The Guidance notes will let you know what sort of information we are looking for and there is also help with each question on the form. We look forward to reading your stories.

Guidance