Partition of India and Pakistan Worksheet for 10-Year-Olds | Social Studies

Instructions

Read the text below about the Partition of India and Pakistan. Then, complete the activities that follow to test your understanding.

Part 1: Reading Passage - A Time of Great Change

For almost 200 years, the land that includes modern-day India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh was ruled by Great Britain. This period was known as the British Raj. By the 1940s, the people of India were demanding freedom, or independence, from British rule.

As independence drew near, a major disagreement arose. The two largest religious groups in the country were Hindus and Muslims. Some Muslim leaders, like Muhammad Ali Jinnah, believed that to protect their interests, Muslims should have their own separate country. Other leaders, such as Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, hoped for a single, united country for everyone.

Ultimately, the British government decided to divide the country. This division is known as the Partition. In August 1947, British rule ended, and two new countries were born: India and Pakistan. Pakistan was created in two parts: West Pakistan and East Pakistan (East Pakistan later became the independent country of Bangladesh in 1971).

The Partition was a very tragic and difficult time. The borders were drawn up quickly, and millions of people found themselves on the wrong side. Hindus and Sikhs living in the new Pakistan had to move to India, and Muslims in India had to move to Pakistan. This huge movement of people is called a migration. It was one of the largest human migrations in history and caused immense suffering, as millions became refugees, losing their homes and possessions.

Part 2: Vocabulary Match-Up

Draw a line to match the word on the left with its correct meaning on the right.

Part 3: Fill in the Blanks

Use the words from the box below to complete the sentences. Each word is used only once.

1. In the year __________, British rule in India ended.
2. The decision was made to have the country __________ into two nations.
3. The new country created for Muslims was named __________.
4. People who were forced to flee their homes became __________.
5. East Pakistan eventually became the independent nation of __________.

Part 4: True or False?

Read each statement below. Circle True if the statement is correct or False if it is incorrect.

1. The Partition was a peaceful event with no problems.     True / False
2. Before 1947, India and Pakistan were part of one large territory.     True / False
3. Mahatma Gandhi wanted to divide the country into two.     True / False
4. The British government made the final decision to partition India.     True / False

Part 5: Think About It

The Partition forced millions of people to leave their homes with very little notice. Imagine you had to leave your home forever and could only bring a small bag. What is one feeling you might have, and why?

My feeling would be: ____________________________________________________________________

Because: _______________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Answer Key

Part 2: Vocabulary Match-Up

1. Partition → C. The division of British India into two separate countries.

2. British Raj → D. The period of time when Great Britain ruled India.

3. Independence → A. Freedom from being ruled by another country.

4. Migration → B. The large-scale movement of people from one place to another.

Part 3: Fill in the Blanks

1. In the year 1947, British rule in India ended.
2. The decision was made to have the country divided into two nations.
3. The new country created for Muslims was named Pakistan.
4. People who were forced to flee their homes became refugees.
5. East Pakistan eventually became the independent nation of Bangladesh.

Part 4: True or False?

1. The Partition was a peaceful event with no problems.     False
2. Before 1947, India and Pakistan were part of one large territory.     True
3. Mahatma Gandhi wanted to divide the country into two.     False (He hoped for a united India.)
4. The British government made the final decision to partition India.     True

Part 5: Think About It

(Answers will vary. Award credit for any reasonable and thoughtful answer that shows empathy.)

Example Answer:

My feeling would be: Sadness

Because: I would have to leave my friends, my toys, and the house where I grew up. I would miss all the happy memories I made there.