Propaganda Bank Note Before Partition in 1947

From 1757 to 1947, India was under British rule, a period referred to as the British Raj. Although independence could have been granted in the 1930s under more harmonious circumstances, delays by the British government prolonged the struggle. After decades of anticipation, the moment of liberation brought a mix of anxiety and fear. During the war years, propaganda escalated, particularly while Gandhi and other Indian National Congress leaders were imprisoned in the 1940s. Meanwhile, Jinnah viewed the Second World War as a strategic advantage. By 1947, a convergence of factors created a perfect storm, culminating in India's independence.

The tragedy of partition lies in how the extreme violence of 1947 has fueled conflicting narratives over the years, solidifying myths about the origins of India and Pakistan. In South Asia, the historical conflict has shifted to an international stage, where India and Pakistan remain locked in a cold war, armed with nuclear missiles aimed at one another. Remarkably, over a billion people in the region today were born after partition, yet the legacy of 1947 continues to shape the present. Despite facing urgent challenges like water scarcity, environmental crises, and climate change adaptation, fostering a shared understanding of the past and a nuanced view of partition remains crucial for the region's future stability and cooperation.

In 1885, the Indian National Congress held its first meeting in Bombay (now Mumbai), laying the foundation for India’s long struggle for independence from British rule. The Muslim League was formed in 1906 to safeguard Muslim rights, though it did not initially seek a separate state. By 1920, Mahatma Gandhi had launched his iconic campaign of non-violent resistance. In 1933, Choudhry Rehmat Ali introduced the idea of “Pakstan” in a pamphlet, combining names of regions like Punjab and Kashmir while symbolizing the "land of the pure." An "i" was later added for pronunciation.

The demand for a separate Muslim state was formalized in the Lahore Resolution of 1940, with Muhammad Ali Jinnah emphasizing Muslims’ vulnerability in a Hindu-majority India. By 1944, talks between Gandhi and Jinnah ended unsuccessfully. In February 1947, British Prime Minister Clement Attlee announced plans to leave India by mid-1948, but this timeline was drastically shortened. In June, Viceroy Lord Mountbatten unveiled the partition plan, hastily drawn by a British lawyer using outdated maps and census data.

In August 1947, Pakistan and India gained independence, celebrated on the 14th and 15th, respectively. On August 18, the partition boundaries were revealed, splitting communities, stranding millions on the "wrong" side, and sparking widespread violence. By October, the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir joined India, igniting the first war between the two nations—a conflict that would fuel decades of tension.

These types of bank notes were introduced before partitions for independence. May be these types of bank notes were Pakistan/Indian currency sample note. Also these are known as Propaganda Bank Note.