This question has often crossed our minds more than once, and we've all debated about it amongst our friends.
What it would have been like for ‘British India’ to have become independent, without partition?
We’ll try to put the big ‘What If’ of modern India’s history into perspective with a few hypothetical scenarios:
No Pakistan or Bangladesh:
There would exist a Pakistan & in turn, there wouldn't be a Bangladesh. We’d be an undivided country in South Asia, ‘Undivided India’.
World’s largest population
As of 2013, the population of Undivided India would be the largest [India (1.25 bn), Pakistan (182 mn)& Bangladesh (156.6 mn)], overtaking China (1.35 bn).
Either the world’s largest armed force Or less defence expenditure
Undivided India would probably have the world’s largest armed force with approximately 2.01 million active military personnel [Indian (1.325 mn), Pakistan (617,000) & Bangladesh (157,000)].
Currently, India & Pakistan have large armed forces due to threat perceptions about each other. Since there wouldn't have been any India-Pakistan wars, maintenance of such a large force would probably be unnecessary in Undivided India. The defence budget would be dramatically reduced.
Excessive burden on the economy due to population
It would have taken longer to kick-start its economy with the added burden of the population of an undivided country.
It is debatable whether India would turn to 'Communism' to generate rapid growth or open up its economy to 'Capitalism' for quick foreign investments.
Welfare-oriented budgets
With lesser defence budgets, the government of Undivided India would prioritize their funds towards strengthening the economy, infrastructure growth & public welfare.
A stronger economy in terms of human capital
After a rather slow start, Undivided India would've been rich in human capital today and would enjoy a strong diaspora across the world.
On the back of strong economic policies, it can be assumed that India would've already been a third-world economic superpower.
A South Asian Union
With stability in Undivided India, the SAARC would be potent. Undivided India would probably pave the way for a ‘South Asian Union’, that could be created on the lines of the European Union.
Imagine, free-trade, visa-free travel across South Asia. Economic institutions like the BRICS & BIMSTEC would be comparatively stronger.
Head-to-head with China
With a strong economy in place and practically no military threats, Undivided India would be an economic force to reckon with. It would be interesting to see the economies of India & China compete with each other.
Secular Undivided India
Partition altered existing demographics leading to the large-scale displacement of people, creating areas with religious majorities in Pakistan & Bangladesh & ghettos with minorities in India.
In Undivided India, demographics would've been evenly balanced leading to a stronger secular society.
Awesome sports teams
This is probably the first thing that would come to our minds, a sensational cricket team full of talented Indians, Pakistanis & Bangladeshis. Apart from cricket, we would have some serious talent in other sports too.
Rich culture amidst stability
With probably no wars fought, an undivided India would've been a chaotic medley of tribal Afghans, Baltis, Gilgitis, Sindhis & Bangladeshis along with the current set of Indians across the country. With less amount of violence and no real wars in the past, we’d have a richer culture from every part of the country.
No Kashmir conflict, No militancy
We come to the most tricky part, the root of the conflict lies in the tug-of-war between India & Pakistan over Kashmir. Since there would be no Pakistan, a conflict would probably not exist, and Kashmir would have either remained an independent kingdom or acceded to Undivided India, later.
Over 5 million people would still be alive
No matter what would have or would not have been if India would remain undivided, what is important is that countless lives would not have been lost. There would be no casualties of war or terrorist strikes or insurgencies.
Of course, an Undivided Indian would have it's own share of problems, but it would've dealt with them. Where the future of an Undivided India would lies, is anybody's guess.
Wherever it may have been, let’s hope peace would prevail & humanity seize the day.
What if India was not partitioned? If India had not been partitioned then things would have a lot different from how they are today. There would not have been hatred among people of the India and Pakistan and there would not have been hatred in the people of Kashmir for the Indian army. A lot of bloodshed that took place during the partition in 1947 would not have happened. The people of an undivided India would have not have killed each other on the basis of religion. The hatred or the feeling of inferiority and superiority would have not existed in our country. What if India was not partitioned? The difference between Hindus and Muslims would not have existed in our country if the partition did not take place. The undivided India before 1947 was united not only I n terms of land but also the hearts. There was no enmity among the people because all leaved with harmony. India is a country of diverse cultures and beliefs and it has always accommodated all the different and unique beliefs. India undivided was ruled by various rulers from Indian origin to Persian. People accepted the new people from different countries but India got exploited. The Indians before the partition were one power who came together to defeat the foreign rule but the British divided us smartly before leaving. The country got divided on the basis of religion. The India undivided would have emerged as a great power in the present world scenario but after the partition there were hurdles in the process of growth. The countries struggled to develop and they are still developing. India found its democratic rule and is slowly growing to become a great power. All the powerful countries have recognized India as a potential power. But if the country was undivided, it would have had bigger powers and bigger economy due to its population. The undivided India was called the sparrow of gold but after the partition there was nothing left in terms of wealth as India had to face wars after it.
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What if India was not partitioned? If India had not been partitioned then things would have a lot different from how they are today. There would not have been hatred among people of the India and Pakistan and there would not have been hatred in the people of Kashmir for the Indian army. A lot of bloodshed that took place during the partition in 1947 would not have happened. The people of an undivided India would have not have killed each other on the basis of religion. The hatred or the feeling of inferiority and superiority would have not existed in our country. What if India was not partitioned? The difference between Hindus and Muslims would not have existed in our country if the partition did not take place. The undivided India before 1947 was united not only I n terms of land but also the hearts. There was no enmity among the people because all leaved with harmony. India is a country of diverse cultures and beliefs and it has always accommodated all the different and unique beliefs. India undivided was ruled by various rulers from Indian origin to Persian. People accepted the new people from different countries but India got exploited. The Indians before the partition were one power who came together to defeat the foreign rule but the British divided us smartly before leaving. The country got divided on the basis of religion. The India undivided would have emerged as a great power in the present world scenario but after the partition there were hurdles in the process of growth. The countries struggled to develop and they are still developing. India found its democratic rule and is slowly growing to become a great power. All the powerful countries have recognized India as a potential power. But if the country was undivided, it would have had bigger powers and bigger economy due to its population. The undivided India was called the sparrow of gold but after the partition there was nothing left in terms of wealth as India had to face wars after it.