Memory as History: Narratives of Trauma and Identity during the 1947 Partition

Abstract

The 1947 Partition of India remains one of the most traumatic events in South Asian history, leading to mass displacement, communal violence, and fractured identities. This paper examines how memory functions as history by analyzing personal narratives, oral testimonies, and literary representations of Partition. Individual and collective memories often blur the line between fact and interpretation, creating a layered account of trauma that resists erasure. Survivors’ recollections do not merely document the violence of migration, loss, and uprootedness, but also reconstruct cultural identities and social belonging in the aftermath of Partition. Such narratives challenge official historiographies, offering counter-histories rooted in lived experiences rather than political agendas. By foregrounding trauma, silence, and fragmented storytelling, these accounts highlight the psychological scars of Partition and their continued relevance in shaping intergenerational identity. This paper argues that memory transforms historical rupture into a space of cultural negotiation, where personal testimonies and collective remembrance sustain both pain and resilience. Ultimately, the narratives of Partition underscore the role of memory not only in preserving history but also in shaping evolving identities across borders, communities, and generations.