Does gender play a role in times of war, strife and conflict? As in all other areas of life, are there differences in suffering between the sexes? Although there are no exact figures, there is clear evidence that women are profoundly and disproportionately affected by hostilities.

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Men are the majority of combatants in armed conflicts, but women bear many burdens that are often overlooked. And it is women’s rights that early war victimssays Oxfam International.>

The United Nations has highlighted Gender-based violence against women and girls, including arbitrary killings, torture, sexual violence and forced marriage, not only in times of conflict but also in the aftermath of conflict.

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Lasting thought>

It has always been this way. That is the thought that is going through my head after reading this. Under a divided sky (Vishwakarma Publications, April 2024), which immerses the reader in the events of Punjab in 1947.

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Natasha Sharma,
Under divided skies,
Vishwakarma Publications (2024)>

The historical novel deals with this period in Punjab’s history, which is marked by widespread atrocities. During this time, thousands of women were raped, kidnapped and widowed on both sides of the newly drawn border. It is estimated that 33,000 Hindu and Sikh women were kidnapped in Pakistan and around 21,000 Muslim women in India.>

The book also examines the Rescue and Restoration Act of 1947, which was designed to find and free these women abducted after the chaos of Partition. Once identified and “rescued,” these women were to be returned to the country where their co-religionists were in the majority. They had no choice.>

The author Natasha Sharma has researched the law and its consequences in detail and draws her characters with great depth and detail. It is clear that the law was well-intentioned, but denied freedom of action to precisely those women it was supposed to serve.

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Teen protagonist Satya is one of the millions of displaced people the Radcliffe Line has created. After losing her entire family, the desperate girl comes to India and finds inspiration in Prerna, who has herself been through unspeakable things. Satya joins Prerna’s team, which carries out dangerous covert operations to rescue women from the Pakistani side.>

This is a turning point in her life and introduces her to two men – Iqbal and Ikankar – who show her different paths in life that she must choose between. It also gives her an insight into the impact of Partition on women, their agency (or lack thereof) and how the events of 1947 not only divided land and people but also permanently fractured identities.>

Tapestry of Life>

The story spans a lifetime, and as the country grows, Satya realizes the consequences of her choices. Decades later, inspired by her daughter’s questions, Satya decides to document the life-changing events of 1947.

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As part of this exercise, she revisits Pakistan and comes face to face with the man she once loved, giving her the closure she has needed all these years.>

The pace of the story keeps the reader closely connected to the events. Satya shines, Prerna haunts, Iqbal and Ikankar linger – the former smoldering, the latter smiling.>

Sharma details the trauma of the carnage that the subcontinent experienced, highlighting how the largest migration of peoples in history brought with it unimaginable physical, emotional and sexual violence. This documentary, which might otherwise have been disturbing in a work of fiction, finds balance in the revival of the Punjab of the period.

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The author does this by using ‘Phulkari’ embroidery as a motif that runs throughout the book and the cover. This unique embroidery style, appreciated for its bright colors and variety of intricate patterns, is a hallmark of Punjabi culture and tradition. The parallel rows of straight darning stitches bring to life the emotions and expressions of Punjabi women.>

Sharma also peppers the book with words, phrases and folk songs that are contextual and easy to understand. The grit and determination of the characters and their success in building new lives for themselves despite facing the same challenges is also positive and empowering.>

Under a divided sky is one of the few documentations of Partition from a woman’s perspective and raises questions that are still relevant today – about women’s identities, their ability or inability to act over their own lives and the power of sisterhood. The book is a reflection on our collective humanity and resonates in today’s deeply polarized world.

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The book was released on Shaheed Diwas or Martyrs’ Day, when India honours Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar, who were hanged by the British on March 23, 1931. The book launch took place at a venue that was both appropriate and deeply humble – the Partition Museumin Delhi, India. This is a new and very relevant addition to the cityscape, which is shaped by the events of the partition of India.>

Sharma joins the ranks of writers like Urvashi Butalia, Aanchal Malhotra, Vazira Zamindar, Anam Zakaria and Kavita Puri who contribute to the sparse literature on Partition. These writers, with their diverse perspectives, shape a narrative that is essential for our and future generations. Butalia and Puri have brought together voices and personal accounts that humanize a tragedy. Zamindar examines the implications of these stories and experiences for policymaking. Malhotra uses both fiction and nonfiction to chronicle the events of 1947.>

Now Sharma takes a unique approach: spinning a fictional narrative that is heavily based on fact and highlights the gender-based suffering and trauma of the time. Her novel is an important addition to the history of the region and its people, a history that we must preserve for generations to come so that it never repeats itself.>

Dr Shalini Mullick is a writer and practicing pathologist based in Gurgaon, India. This is a post syndicated by Sapan News. >