Malda and the partition of Bengal Malda as a separate district came into existence in 1813 with eight thanas only at its initial stage.This District was under the jurisdiction of Bhagalpur Division.In1859 a full time Magistrate and Collector was appointed for Malda.In 1912 Malda was detached from Bhagalpur Division and was connected to Rajshahi Division and continued to remain with that division till the 15th August 1947,the Independence day of India. It is very striking and at the same time very surprising to the present generation that this Malda was under the control of Pakistan ,now Bangladesh for two days,14th and 15th August 1947.Malda could not share and relish the sweet feelings of observation of the glorious and memorable day of Independence on the 15th August 1947 together with the vast parts of its motherland. This left undoubtedly a painful and irrecoverable injury to the history of Malda. This significant episode occupies an important episode in the History of India. On the August 15,1947 when India became Independent, several discussion among all the main congress leaders who were associated with the freedom movement accepted the two nation theory of Mr.M.A.Jinnah, so India became Independent with the curse of partition resulting in bloody riots now and then hither and thither. However according to the final judgment of Boundary commission the United Bengal became split into two parts. The western part remained with India with the formation of a new state named West Bengal. The remaining East Bengal was known as East Pakistan. The partition of Bengal which was a major curse of our Independence caused ambiguity in case of Malda District. At that time all the citizens of Malda had fallen in a confusion whether this district would go to India or Pakistan, as a result of which ,Malda District faced an unbelievable unrest for seven days i.e. from 12 to 17 August 1947.This was due to the fact that verdict regarding the partition of Bengal was not clearly declared in due time by Cyril Radcliffe Roadad , the chief of the Boundary Commission appointed by the British Government. So from 12th August’47,the day of announcement regarding the independence of India by the British Government, all the people of Malda both Hindu and Muslim were in a state of excitement. In these circumstances the positive points in favour of Muslims were so confirmed that falling under pressure the then District Magistrate of Malda Mr.Gayan Sing Kahalan fell bound to hand over the charge of Malda Treasury to Mr.Abdul Karim Chowdhury,the Sub-Deputy of Malda on 14th August ’47.Immediately on that day Mr.Karim hoisted the Pakiatani National Flag on the mast of Malda collectorate after proclaiming that Malda is now under the Pakistani Dominion.Yet most of the people of Malda ,particularly Hindus waited for the final declaration of Mr.Roadad. So, practically on and from 14th to 17th August’47 our Malda District was under the jurisdiction of Pakistan Government.Then at the night of 17th August ’47 when the details of the award of Cyril Radcliffe Roadad were announced on the radio it was found that the District of Malda would remain in India.And thus it was seen that to carry out the order of Government Sri Mangal Acharya ,the ADM Of Pubna District came here to Malda on 18th August’47 morning and on that day after bringing down the Pakistani Flag from the mast of Malda Collectorate building,hoisted National Flag of Independent India.In these circumstances as a token of getting Independence on 18th August’47,a few citizens of Malda still celebrate the Independence day on 17th August in every year and hoist the National Flag here on both 15th & 17th August.
Posted on: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 10:56:36 +0000
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