"Silenced Voices: Gender Subordination in Bapsi Sidhwa's Cracking India"

Abstract

The Indian subcontinent, a region encompassing various territories under British colonial rule, achieved its independence from the British Raj in the year 1947. This significant event led to the partition of the subcontinent into two separate states, namely India and Pakistan. The division under consideration emerged as a consequence of a profound religious conflict, which subsequently escalated into a significant regional tragedy. This unfortunate turn of events compelled millions of individuals to abandon their respective places of residence, while regrettably resulting in the loss of numerous innocent lives. The partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947 resulted in significant hardships for women, rendering them the most vulnerable demographic on both sides of the newly formed border. Sidhwa adeptly examines the portrayal and status of women within a historical framework. This research paper aims to analyse the narrative of partition as depicted by Sidhwa in her literary work titled "Cracking India." The primary focus of this study is to shed light on the various forms of exploitation, manipulation, and oppression experienced by women within the contexts of politics, religion, and society, as portrayed in the novel. The publication of this novel serves to position it as a literary work with feminist undertones, prompting a re-evaluation of the rights and societal standing of women within the context of Post-Colonial Pakistan.