What significant event occurred in 1947 involving the division of British India?

The division of British India in 1947 culminated in the Partition into two separate nation-states: India and Pakistan. This significant event was a result of various social, political, and religious tensions that had developed over decades. The Partition was largely driven by the demand for a separate Muslim state by leaders like Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the All-India Muslim League, reflecting longstanding communal divisions.

On August 15, 1947, India gained independence from British colonial rule, and in the process, the subcontinent was divided based on religious demographics. As a result, Pakistan was created as a separate nation for Muslims, while the majority Hindu population remained in India. This division led to one of the largest mass migrations in human history, with millions of people crossing borders, and was marked by significant violence and communal riots.

The other choices deal with different historical contexts: the independence of India indeed occurred in 1947 but is not specific to the division; the formation of the Indian National Congress predates this event and played a role in the independence movement but is not directly linked to the division; and the start of British colonization refers to an earlier period, beginning in the mid-18th century, when British control began. Thus,