Partition of India: Abdication of Murshidabad in exchange of Chittagong Hill Tracts and the Genesis of Shanti Bahini World War II broke out across the globe to fulfill the dream of Hitler which ultimately paved the way to liberate the British colonies. India was divided on religious line. At long last, the final hour of the Partition of India came close to demark the boundary of two states namely India and Pakistan based on religion. With one stroke of pen India was to be divided. Bengle and Panjab suffered this pangs of trauma. Muslims were to migrate to Pakistan while the Hindus were migrate to India. In the events that followed this decision, bloody riots took many human souls from both these communities. Historians wrote profusely on the subject, but the Fate of Murshidabad was not discussed ; and as such this paper likes to remember this chapter of history once again. The officials who were in charge of partition noticed serious problems in the division of Bengal in that its capital Calcutta was partly dominated by Muslims. Based on the concept of religion, at least, one third of Calcutta was needed to be included within the territory of Pakistan. But, the fate of Calcutta was twisted by the hands of the politicians who decided to abdicate the same in exchange of Lahore. The Bengalee Muslims lost their due share over Calcutta. Regrettably, the Bengalee Muslims forgot to include Murshidabad almost Muslim dominated area into Pakistan. It was normally thought that as the sub division was Muslim dominated; it would surely to be fallen within the territorial jurisdiction of Pakistan. As the grave of Nawab Shirajuddowla and her beloved wife was there, we feel that Murshidabad was required to fall within the territorial jurisdiction of Pakistan. Nawab Shirajuddowla’s defeat to the East India Company brought misery to the Muslims as well for the Indian Subcontinent. At the time of Partition, Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) was relatively a very peaceful Sub division inhabited by 11different tribal communities with a handful Muslims from neighboring Chittagong Hill Tracts. It was known as Karpas Mahal i.e. cotton region. There were two circles for collecting tax during the Mughul period; in 1782 the East India Company created another circle named the Mong circle. The Chakma tribal community forms part of the great Tibeto-Burman language family. Regrettably, there is no authentic record of the origin of the Chakmas. Some facts as recorded by historians read as follows: in 953 a king of Arakan Tsula Tsandar occupied parts of the districts of Chittgong and Cox’s Bazar. In 1338-49 Sultan Fakhruddin Mubarak Shah conquered parts of Chittagong . In 1666, the Moguls conquered parts of Chittagong from the Arakanese under Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir. The Moguls received a voluntary trade tribute from the chiefs of CHT for which it was better known as Karpas Mahal i.e. cotton region. In 1760, Parts of CHT was ceded to the East India Company by Mir Quasim Ali Khan, the semi-independent governor under the Moguls. In 1777, Rona Khan revolted against the British. In 1787, the then Chakma tribal Raja Jan Baksh Khan, after years of blocked , declared loyalty to the East India Company. In 1860,the hilly and forest tracts to east of the Chittgong were separated from the revenue jurisdiction of collector of Chittgong district. The Hills were henceforth known by the name of Chittgong Hill tracts. In 1867, the officer in charge of the district was changed from Superintendent to Deputy Commissioner and he was vested with supervisory powers over revenue, judicial and police matters. In 1881, Chittgong Hill tracts Frontier Police Regulation (111) were enacted. In 1891, Chittgong Hill tracts was reduced to the status of Sub division. In 1900, Chittgong Hill tracts Regulation was passed. In 1921, Chittgong Hill tracts was declared as an excluded area. In 1935, The Government of India Act of 1935 designated Hill tracts a “Totally Excluded Area”. In the given circumstances, the ingenious people of CHT being literate were very ignorant of acts of political drama that were being staged. The term of Independence was not known to the common people of CHT. As they were neither Muslims nor Hindus, the Chakmas were ahead of other tribal community. The early literate section of the Chakmas who graduated from Calcutta University thought that Chittagong Hill Tracts would fall within the territorial jurisdiction of India as there was close cultural commonality between them and the Hindus; and it was quite natural on their part to think like this. The Indian leaders did not respect the Chakmas’ aspirations and dreams. The Indian leaders forsook the innocent, peace-loving Chakmas to the wolves. A popular story is still in known to many people of CHT. In short, the story reads like this that Mr Sneha Kumar Chakma went to meet Mr Gandhi and asked him to form a state for the Chakmas. In reply, Mr Gandhi wanted to know the population of Jumia people. Hearing the figure (it stood only 2.5 lacs) from Mr Sneha Kumar Chakma, Gandhi answered that if a new state was to be formed for the Jumias, another new state was needed to be formed for the Lunatics as the Lunatic population was much higher than the Chakmas. Again, there is no authentic record of this story. There are many contradictory views on the subject. Based on the religious line the Hilly population which stood 2.5 lacs of which 95 percent were non Muslim, CHT should be included in India. It was also stated by many elderly Hilly leaders that the then leaders of CHT demanded to Congress and Muslim league to declare CHT as Native state. When this demand failed, Hilly leaders again came up with a new proposal to establish a Confederation consisting of CHT, tripura, Kuchbihar, and the Khashias under the Central Government. Some historian opined that with the inclusion of Pirozepur district of Panjab into India, the fate of CHT was fixed concurrently. But the most comprehensive explanation from which we can find the answer is the one given by Lord Mount Batten. In “Mount Batten and the Partition “ published by Bikash publishing , Dehli , Mount Batten’s view is clearly stated that he was briefed that the economically CHT was completely dependant on East Bengle. There were one or two routes to connect CHT with Asam . So, if CHT was bifurcated from East Bengle, the separation would be a cause of huge suffering for the common people of CHT. The population of CHT was less than 2.5 lacs, most of them were hilly and Buddhist by religion. As per the provision of Boundary Commission they were Non Muslims. Additionally, the only sea port of East Bengle, Chittgong was dependant on the regions of CHT. He was further briefed that if the forest of CHT was destroyed, Chittgong sea port would be silted. Anyway, at that time this young man named Mr Sneha Kumar Chakma perhaps comprehended that the fate of CHT was lying not in their hands but, in the hands of the politicians of Calcutta and Dehli who were believed not to be trusted. So, he decided to do something of his own to expedite the movement to include CHT in India. Under the his leadership, CHT was declared as part of India; and at his behest, in the township of Rangamati , now submerged under water, Indian flag was hoisted everywhere except for the Government offices. Interestingly enough, the people of Bandarban hoisted Burmese Flag in Bandarban. Mr. Sneha Kumar Chakma organized procession demanding CHT to include in India with students of school. To expedite this movement, he organized Jatra (theatre) and cultural programmes. But the monarchy of CHT and the last colonial Deputy Commissioner Mr G. L .Hide had other plan on the subject. Raja Nolinakhya Roy, the tribal monarch of CHT and the last colonial DC Mr G. L .Hide wanted CHT to include Pakistan. Mr. Sneha Kumar Chakma, a poor fellow who was a die hard supporter of Congress miserably filed to comprehend that the movement he was leading had no value to the highly placed leaders of congress. It is widely believed (Dr M L Dewan also upholds this view) that for the interest of a Congress Leader Murshidabad was exchanged in exchange of Chittagong Hill Tracts; and thus a historic blunder was committed. Anyway, on August 14th ,1947 Pakistan emerged as an Independent Nation on the following day India emerged as an Independent Nation. Following the declaration of India, Lusai Hill, Naga Hill, some parts of Asam were included in India. As the final hours came, Mr. Sneha Kumar Chakma lost his temper; and appeared before the Banglow of DC Mr G. L.Hide (the Banglow still in exists and being used by DC of Rangamati) with a long procession at the midnight of August 14th, 1947. At first, Nepalee soilderes did not allow him to meet Mr Hide. But Mr Sneha remained stubborn and they bursted into a tensed quarrel. At this point, the guards were ready to open fire at the procession. Eventually, hearing the hue and cry Mr Hide got out of his sleep and came out with shorts to meet the leaders of procession. Mr Sneha pressed him to hoist Indian Flag at his Bungalow at that time. In response Mr. Hide answered that no national Flag can be hoisted at midnight. He promised to Mr Sneha that as per his desire the Union Jack would be pulled down; and tri-coloured Indian Flag would be hoisted on the following morning. At this promise, Mr Sneha returned home to come back again to the DC Bungalow with the same procession. Mr. Hide kept his promise; the Union Jack was pulled down with Guard of Honour along with agonizing tune of Bugle. The process rehearsed again while hoisting Indian Flag. Tragically, Indian Flag fell down with the pulley from the Flag post. All who were present considered this to bad omen. Anyway, the pulley was repaired and re hoisted again. Mr Hide killed his favorite horse instantly; and headed for chittagong with his engine-driven boat. It is widely believed that Mr Hide recommended the Red cliff commission to include CHT into Pakistan. On 18th August, at night a declaration came out via radio to the matter that CHT had been included into Pakistan. The Indian Flag was fluttering in CHT until it was pulled down by the Baluch Regiment (in another view Panjab Regiment) of Pakistani Army. Becoming seriously frustrated at this declaration, Mr Sneha passed a few days aimlessly hither and thither. Finally, he went to Tripura with his followers leaving behind CHT to start a new struggle to liberate CHT from Pakistani bondage; and re unite the same with India. As a participant, Dr M L Dewan vividly pen pictured this event in an article. The ingenious hilly people did not forget this defeat in the forthcoming days. With Indian help, they formed Shanti Bahini to launch an armed movement against Bangladesh for their liberation with Mr Manobendra Narayan Larma as their Leader to which we shall turn on some other day. - Md A H Siddiqee
Posted on: Mon, 09 Sep 2013 06:19:55 +0000
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