| In 1942, Indian Nationalists had spurned the British offer of autonomy within the British Empire. They demanded complete independence. After the Second World War, the British agreed to independence. However, no agreement could be reached between the Hindus and Moslems. Large scale rioting ensued in which thousands died. An accord was finally reached to establish two states: Hindu India and Moslem Pakistan. On August 15th the two new states achieved independence. Millions of refugees were created in both countries. |
