The partition of India led to one of the largest mass migrations in modern history, with millions seeking sanctuary from violence in ancient tombs and forts, which were transformed into sprawling refugee camps.

More than 15 million people were displaced after India gained independence from Britain in 1947, with Muslims heading towards the newly formed Pakistan as Hindus and Sikhs moved in the opposite direction.





New Delhi

Queen’s Road near Lothian Bridge

Shacks where refugee families lived on a pavement along Queen’s Road near Lothian Bridge in September 1950, and an auto rickshaw on the same road in June 2017.

Photographs: Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting/Prakash Singh/AFP

Amritsar

Chowk Bijli Wala

Indian soldiers walk through the debris of a building in the Chowk Bijli Wala area in August 1947, and a bustling scene at the same location in June 2017.

Photographs: Stringer/Narinder Nanu/AFP

New Delhi

Kamla Market

A few people gather in Kamla Market in November 1951, and traders pile up their wares at the same location in June 2017.

Photographs: Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting/Prakash Singh/AFP

New Delhi

Humayun’s Tomb

Displaced Muslims camp in front of the tomb in around 1947, and a man and a woman explore the same location in June 2017.

Photographs: Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting/Prakash Singh/AFP

Amritsar

Khalsa College

Sikhs eat at a relief camp in around 1947 following unrest during the partition, and labourers have lunch at the same location in June 2017.

Photographs: Stringer/Narinder Nanu/AFP

Amritsar

Katra Jaimal Singh

A destroyed building in the Katra Jaimal Singh area in August 1947, and a busy street full of shops and adverts in June 2017.

Photographs: Stringer/Narinder Nanu/AFP

New Delhi

Humayun’s Tomb

A view of a refugee camp near the tomb, and the same grounds empty of people in June 2017.

Photographs: Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting/Prakash Singh/AFP

Muslim boys look out from their camp in front of the tomb in around 1947, and the tomb pictured in June 2017.

Photographs: Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting/Prakash Singh/AFP

New Delhi

Minto Bridge

Displaced Muslims including a family on a cart pass under Minto Bridge on their way to camps at Purana Qila and Humayun’s Tomb, and somewhat heavier traffic at the same location in June 2017.

Photographs: Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting/Prakash Singh/AFP