Radcliffe Line completes 75 years on August 17, 2022
On August 17, 1947, two days after the country gained independence from British rule 75 years ago, the Radcliffe Line, a boundary line dividing the subcontinent, was published, through which the
border between India and newly created Pakistan was demarcated. After the formation of two countries, an international border was also fixed for it, which was named Radcliffe Line.
Radcliffe Line
Shortly before independence a commission was set up to recommend the division of the Punjab and Bengal regions of the Indian subcontinent. The commission, appointed by the last Viceroy of British India, Lord
Mountbatten, was headed by the British lawyer Sir Cyril Radcliffe. This border was finalized on 12 August, but was published on 17 August 1947. It was decided by Radcliffe; hence the line is named after him.
It is worth mentioning that Sir Cyril Radcliffe did this work on his first visit to India. Under this West
Punjab became part of Pakistan, East Punjab was given to India and East Pakistan was created by the
partition of Bengal.
Some Major International Boundary Lines
McMahon Line: India-China
Durand Line: Indo-Afghanistan (most of it borders Pakistan and Afghanistan)
38th Parallel: North Korea-South Korea
17th Parallel: South Vietnam-North Vietnam
Blue Line: Lebanon-Israel