91³Ô¹Ï

The 1947 Partition of India and Pakistan was a complex and tragic event with profound and lasting consequences for the region. Following over a century under British East India Company rule and an additional 90 years of the British Raj, the Indian subcontinent ultimately attained independence. What should have been a celebratory moment after years of anti-colonial struggle resulted in unimaginable violence and bloodshed instead.

Project Dastaan is a peace-building initiative that utilizes bespoke digital experiences to reconnect displaced refugees of the Partition with their childhood communities, offering a unique perspective on the human impact of the largest forced migration in recorded history.

A free classroom-friendly discussion guide is available for download below. Activities in this guide include a pre-test, informational handout and assignment, and an exercise in conflict analysis. In addition, there is an extension activity that tasks students to research different modern-day conflicts, as well as an optional activity where students view short film(s) and engage in a post-viewing discussion.

91³Ô¹Ï is appreciative of the support of Project Dastaan for their permission to use some of the visuals and interviews from their project in this guide. Screen the films (password: Curriculum).

91³Ô¹Ï’s partnership with CatchLight is made possible by the generous support of the Chao Minami Family Fund.