Bengal Partition Stories: An Unclosed Chapter

'This is an astonishing book which reminds us insistently that in order to forget, we have to remember.' David McCrone, Director of the Institute of Governance 'This is a truly remarkable volume, and deserves to attract the attention of historians, literary scholars, social scientists and others with an interest in ethnic conflict in any part of the world.' Anthony Hepburn, Professor of History, University of Sunderland This book throws new light on post-colonial evaluations of the Partition and its effect on eastern India. Until very recently, a striking state of 'near silence' has existed concerning the violence encountered by those who fled across the Bengal border. Bengal Partition Stories addresses this silence through the retelling of stories inspired by the division of Bengal, the mass exodus that followed and their repercussions on the cultural, social and economic character of the region, modern India as a whole and the newly-formed nation of Bangladesh. Despite numerous critical enquiries into the history, politics and social dynamics that contributed to the partition of Bengal, there remains a distinct lack of in-depth exploration into the personal experiences of those directly affected. Through oral histories, interviews and fictional retellings of the event and its aftermath, Bengal Partition Stories seeks to fill this gap by unearthing and articulating the collective memories of a people traumatised by the brutal division of their homeland. Dr Bashabi Fraser is an academic and writer based in Edinburgh. Currently, she is an Honorary Fellow at the Centre for South Asian Studies, Edinburgh University, and Lecturer in English Literature and Creative Writing at NapierUniversity, Edinburgh. Her works include Tartan & Turban, a collection of poetry (Luath Press, 2004). Anthem South Asian Studies Anthem South Asian Studies provides comprehensive coverage of all aspects of the region, past and present. Guided by a team of leading academics and thinkers from around the world, the series focuses on key issues in fields ranging from economics and politics to history and the arts, and will appeal to academics, students and general readers alike.

This book throws new light on post-colonial evaluations of the Partition and its effect on eastern India. Until very recently, a striking state of 'near silence' has existed concerning the violence encountered by those who fled across the Bengal border. "Bengal Partition Stories" addresses this silence through the retelling of stories inspired by the division of Bengal, the mass exodus that followed and their repercussions on the cultural, social and economic character of the region, modern India as a whole and the newly-formed nation of Bangladesh.
Despite numerous critical enquiries into the history, politics and social dynamics that contributed to the partition of Bengal, there remains a distinct lack of in-depth exploration into the personal experiences of those directly affected. Through oral histories, interviews and fictional retellings of the event and its aftermath, "Bengal Partition Stories" seeks to fill this gap by unearthing and articulating the collective memories of a people traumatised by the brutal division of their homeland.. Through oral histories, interviews and fictional retellings of the event and its aftermath, "Bengal Partition Stories" seeks to fill this gap by unearthing and articulating the collective memories of a people traumatised by the brutal rupture of their homeland.