History Extra podcast Five partitions that shaped South Asia
Nov 7, 2025
Sam Dalrymple, a historian and author focused on South Asian history, shares fascinating insights into the five partitions that reshaped the region from Burma’s split in 1937 to Bangladesh’s emergence in 1971. He discusses the powerful symbolism of the India-Pakistan border and explores how these partitions influenced identity and migration. Dalrymple also reflects on personal stories of resilience and the role of princely states in the broader narrative, while touching on the significance of shared histories in the face of nationalism.
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Border Visible From Space
- The India–Pakistan border is a human-made scar visible from space and did not exist a century ago.
- Sam Dalrymple shows how recent partitions reshaped identities across South Asia within living memory.
Five Partitions, Many Nations
- British India splintered into multiple nations through five major partitions between 1937 and 1971.
- Each partition produced lasting conflicts and reshaped populations across the region.
Indian Ties To The Gulf
- The Gulf states and Aden were administratively tied to British India, creating deep elite-level connections.
- These ties explain shared institutions like Indian passports and education among Gulf rulers.
