Refugees in the North-Western and Western Region

The majority of the refugees were farmers who sought land to cultivate in India. The land left behind by Muslims who migrated to Pakistan was divided among the refugees, especially in the northern regions like Delhi.

In contrast, the refugees in the western region, mainly Sindhis, faced a tougher battle. They found it challenging to blend with the local Marathi and Gujarati cultures. Furthermore, they had difficulty securing land as they were primarily traders. However, with time, they reclaimed their dignity through their adept trading skills.

Refugees in the Eastern Region

The refugees in this region were from the erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), and they faced a unique set of challenges.

The one-sided migration from East Pakistan to India created settlement problems. The lack of cities in East India, barring Calcutta (Kolkata), Asansol, and a few places in Assam and Tripura, made relocation difficult. The refugees had to endure harsh living conditions due to a lack of education, skills, and substantial government support.

This situation contributed to the 'immiseration of West Bengal.' Although the refugees were initially viewed as an additional burden by the local population, they were eventually absorbed into the mainstream, mitigating the hostilities.

The details provided above will help candidates prepare for UPSC 2023 .

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