I’ve always wondered why two countries so deeply connected via history, culture, music, art, and even language had such a hostile and turbulent relationship ever since both were granted independence. But the truth is, it was not always like this. For centuries, people of both countries with different religions and ethnicities coexisted in a single subcontinent, sharing cultural traditions, significant historical experiences, and shared leadership under the Mughal Empire.
Pre-British Rule
The Subcontinent was less divided, and there was a rich literary and cultural history present. Distinct traditions had been passed down through generations. But now, it seems like both parties are eager to wage a war against the other, trying to find any excuse to do so.
Indus Valley Civilization
To start with, an excellent example of India and Pakistan’s interwoven history is the “Indus Valley civilization,” which predated the arrival of British rule over the Subcontinent and the existence of the Mughal Empire in the Subcontinent. It is one of the world’s earliest urban civilizations, nicknamed the “Harappan Civilization.”
It was part of the Bronze Age, a period when tools were made of copper, tin, and gold. This civilization assists in highlighting the shared history between India and Pakistan. The remnants of this civilization weren’t discovered until the 1920s, and some still need to be discovered. Many questions regarding this civilization have been left unanswered, but one thing is certain: it was ahead of its time.
This ancient civilization, dating back 4,000 years, was so advanced that it had sophisticated drainage and sanitation facilities that resemble urban areas today. They had drains, public baths, and even toilets connected to a complex sewage system; these concepts and facilities were some things that later civilizations lacked, showing how advanced this civilization was.
Cities like Mohenjo Daro and Harappa in the Indus Valley even had features like remarkable infrastructure and streets laid out in a grid pattern, resembling modern cities today. This Bronze Age society remains divided between the borders of India and Pakistan; cities like Mohenjo Daro and Harappa remain in Pakistan, whereas other areas remain in India. It is a testament to how these countries used to be a unified geographical and cultural space, making important societal advancements by cooperating, working, and successfully coexisting. The Indus Valley Civilization reinforces the idea that both India and Pakistan are deeply connected due to their complex and rather interesting historical and cultural ties.
The Mughal Empire
Now, moving on to the Mughal empire, this infamous dynasty, which lasted from 1526 to 1857, serves as a stark reminder of how both Hindus and Muslims could coexist as one united community. At its peak, this empire ruled for over two centuries and established complete control over the Subcontinent as one domain. The Mughals helped establish one ruler, the Mughal emperor of the Subcontinent, but their rule also led to further disputes and divisions between the Hindu-Muslim community.
The third Mughal Emperor, Akbar, who ruled from 1556-1605 was a significant figure in uniting the Muslims and Hindus as he had appointed numerous Hindu nobles in his administration and married Hindu princesses, and women. Akbar also abolished the jizya tax on non-Muslims and was incredibly tolerant of them. He often embraced Hindu artists and Hindu practices, which helped unite the Subcontinent.
Now, towards the end of the Mughal Empire, Emperor Aurangzeb reinforced this divide between the two communities, as during his reign, he destroyed temples, initiated the jizya tax once again, and banned many Hindu practices. He was a rather controversial figure, deemed as the main catalyst for the end of the Mughal Empire, as he ignited a divide between non-Muslims and Muslims in India due to his orthodox Islamic policies. In my opinion, this made it a lot easier for the British to take over the Subcontinent later on due to this divide.
The East India Company
The end of the Mughal Empire was marked by the complete British rule established in India; the British entered India as the EIC, the East India Company, a British trading company used as a tool to facilitate trade in the East. After the events of the revolt of 1857, the British decided to strategically abolish the EIC and introduce the Pitts India Act, which allowed them even more control over the Subcontinent This act allowed them to set up a justice and police system and also introduced the role of a Viceroy in India who had complete control of the Subcontinent’s affairs. These measures allowed the British to extend their control over the Subcontinent and, for the most part, led to even more backlash from the Indians, and chaos ensued.
Post-Colonization
The effects of British rule can still be felt in India and Pakistan. Initial conflicts post-partition between the two have now fostered into bigger ones; some include the arms race and the eventual nuclearization of both countries, which occurred due to the hostile relations between the two. The British colonial policies during their rule furthered the religious and cultural divide between both Muslims and Hindus, and now continue to influence nationalist policies in both countries. India and Pakistan have both adopted British-style institutions; India has remained a stable democracy, whereas Pakistan has had many military coups and many leaders in a relatively short period. The truth is that this shared identity between the two is often left overlooked due to the rising political tensions and extremist, nationalist policies. Urdu and Hindi are very similar linguistically, and the Sufi poetry of poets like Bulle Shah and Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai transcends borders. Post–partition, many families have also been left divided across borders, and in countries like the USA and Canada, both Indian and Pakistani immigrants get an opportunity to connect in a way they are not able to back home due to the stigma.
This shared identity and brotherhood between the two nations should be celebrated; we mustn’t let politicians and the media weaponize differences to maintain hostility between the two countries. The trauma from the partition and colonial British rule should be used as a tool to bring both India and Pakistan closer together.
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The views and opinions expressed in this article/paper are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Paradigm Shift.
He is a student at Bay View High School and has a deep passion for writing, with an interest in politics and current affairs in Pakistan. He enjoys analyzing political developments, exploring historical contexts, and expressing my perspectives through thoughtful and well-researched writing