This question has often crossed our minds more than once, and we've all debated about it amongst our friends.









What it would have been like for ‘British India’ to have become independent, without partition?

We’ll try to put the big ‘What If’ of modern India’s history into perspective with a few hypothetical scenarios:





No Pakistan or Bangladesh:













There would exist a Pakistan & in turn, there wouldn't be a Bangladesh. We’d be an undivided country in South Asia, ‘Undivided India’.





World’s largest population

As of 2013, the population of Undivided India would be the largest [India (1.25 bn), Pakistan (182 mn) & Bangladesh (156.6 mn)], overtaking China (1.35 bn).





Either the world’s largest armed force Or less defence expenditure

Undivided India would probably have the world’s largest armed force with approximately 2.01 million active military personnel [Indian (1.325 mn), Pakistan (617,000) & Bangladesh (157,000)].

Currently, India & Pakistan have large armed forces due to threat perceptions about each other. Since there wouldn't have been any India-Pakistan wars, maintenance of such a large force would probably be unnecessary in Undivided India. The defence budget would be dramatically reduced.





Excessive burden on the economy due to population

It would have taken longer to kick-start its economy with the added burden of the population of an undivided country.

It is debatable whether India would turn to 'Communism' to generate rapid growth or open up its economy to 'Capitalism' for quick foreign investments.





Welfare-oriented budgets

With lesser defence budgets, the government of Undivided India would prioritize their funds towards strengthening the economy, infrastructure growth & public welfare.





A stronger economy in terms of human capital

After a rather slow start, Undivided India would've been rich in human capital today and would enjoy a strong diaspora across the world.

On the back of strong economic policies, it can be assumed that India would've already been a third-world economic superpower.





A South Asian Union

With stability in Undivided India, the SAARC would be potent. Undivided India would probably pave the way for a ‘South Asian Union’, that could be created on the lines of the European Union.

Imagine, free-trade, visa-free travel across South Asia. Economic institutions like the BRICS & BIMSTEC would be comparatively stronger.





Head-to-head with China

With a strong economy in place and practically no military threats, Undivided India would be an economic force to reckon with. It would be interesting to see the economies of India & China compete with each other.





Secular Undivided India

Partition altered existing demographics leading to the large-scale displacement of people, creating areas with religious majorities in Pakistan & Bangladesh & ghettos with minorities in India.

In Undivided India, demographics would've been evenly balanced leading to a stronger secular society.





Awesome sports teams

This is probably the first thing that would come to our minds, a sensational cricket team full of talented Indians, Pakistanis & Bangladeshis. Apart from cricket, we would have some serious talent in other sports too.





Rich culture amidst stability

With probably no wars fought, an undivided India would've been a chaotic medley of tribal Afghans, Baltis, Gilgitis, Sindhis & Bangladeshis along with the current set of Indians across the country. With less amount of violence and no real wars in the past, we’d have a richer culture from every part of the country.





No Kashmir conflict, No militancy

We come to the most tricky part, the root of the conflict lies in the tug-of-war between India & Pakistan over Kashmir. Since there would be no Pakistan, a conflict would probably not exist, and Kashmir would have either remained an independent kingdom or acceded to Undivided India, later.





Over 5 million people would still be alive

No matter what would have or would not have been if India would remain undivided, what is important is that countless lives would not have been lost. There would be no casualties of war or terrorist strikes or insurgencies.





Of course, an Undivided Indian would have it's own share of problems, but it would've dealt with them. Where the future of an Undivided India would lies, is anybody's guess.





Wherever it may have been, let’s hope peace would prevail & humanity seize the day.