The Partition of India remains one of the most traumatic events in South Asian history. The subcontinent was divided into two new nations, India and Pakistan, along religious lines, causing widespread violence, displacement, and loss of life. Millions of people were uprooted from their homes, leaving behind not only their properties and belongings but also a deep scar on the collective memory of the region. For many, the Partition is more than just a political event; it is a personal memory that has been handed down through generations, preserved through oral histories, photographs, and objects.
Aanchal Malhotra’s Remnants of Partition captures these memories by focusing on 21 objects that have survived the Partition, each one serving as a tangible link to the past. These objects, ranging from a torn piece of cloth to a wristwatch, a letter, or a pair of spectacles, offer a silent yet powerful testimony to the human cost of the Partition. Through these items, Malhotra uncovers the emotional and psychological trauma experienced by those who lived through the division and the generations that followed.
The Role of Objects in Preserving Memory
Malhotra argues that objects are not just passive relics of the past but active carriers of memory. They hold stories, emotions, and histories that may otherwise be lost. In her book, she reveals how these remnants have been passed down through families as a way to remember the past, maintain connections to lost homelands, and honor the lives of those who were displaced or killed. The objects in the book serve as silent witnesses to the tragedies and upheavals that reshaped the lives of millions.
One of the most striking features of Remnants of Partition is how Malhotra uses the objects to give voice to those who may not have had the opportunity to tell their stories. By focusing on the personal and intimate details of these objects, Malhotra humanizes the historical event. The reader is transported into the lives of those who lived through Partition, not through grand political narratives, but through the intimate, everyday items that people carried with them. For example, an old wristwatch that once belonged to a grandfather becomes a symbol of time lost, of a life that was disrupted in an instant. Similarly, a torn scarf becomes a symbol of love and memory, a connection to a place and a family that can no longer be physically reached shutdown123