Violence, Martyrdom, and Partition  (English, Paperback, Datta Nonica)

This book presents the oral testimony of Subhashini (19142003), head of an Arya Samaj institution devoted to women's education in rural north India. Subhashini's narrative unfolds a story within a sea of stories, which has hitherto remained silent in the mainstream historical discourse. Her memory, crafted as history, evokes contrasting images of violence, martyrdom and Partition. Not 1947 but 1942 the year of her father's martyrdom is recalled as a violent rupture. Partition is a moment of celebration, revenge, divine retribution, empathy, remorse, tragedy and fear.

About the Author
Nonica Datta teaches history at Miranda House, University of Delhi. She is the author of Forming an Identity: A Social History of the Jats, Oxford University Press, 1999.