History from the Margins: Literary Representation of Leaders in Partition Narratives

The Partition of the Indian Subcontinent in 1947, which resulted in the creation of two separate dominions, remains one of the most tragic and complex events of the twentieth century. Even after the lapse of more than seven decades, , the memory of partition trauma not only throbs in the veins of the victimized people but also torments the collective psyche of India and Pakistan. Each country has its own thesis and theory to prove that it was only the ‘other' who was responsible for the catastrophic division. The macro narratives of both the countries prioritize the accounts of their policy makers extolling their leaders as heroes. The viewpoints and opinions of those who were affected are often ostracized and elided from the dominant discourses of partition history. The present paper explores the portrayal of political leaders in fictional narratives as perceived by ordinary men and women. It aims to amplify the often-overlooked voices of Partition history. The study examines how these narratives construct the reality of political leaders—whether they critique, condemn, or idealize them. Ultimately, the paper offers a broader perspective on the roles of key political figures in the history of Partition.