Shameful Flight: The Last Years of the British Empire in India

I read this book almost in one sitting. While I am emotionally tied to the events that lead up to the partition of India, I was not aware of all the facts. Stanley Wolpert has done a remarkable job of sifting through the material, and bringing this period of India's history to life.

It is not one where the ghosts of the participants of the saga would rest well in peace. The drama of a million people being killed, many thousands displaced, and the commencement of the journey of hate between two countries is well documented. So is the role and the avarice, ambition, stupidity and ignorance of the players who brought this about.

An indispensable read for anyone who wants to know about the last few years leading up to the partition of India.

Some quotes to share:
"We must face the evils that are coming upon us," Churchill warned, his voice almost breaking, as he added, "and that we are powerless to avert, we must do our best in all circumstances....but, at least, let us not add --by shameful flight, by a premature, hurried scuttle, at least, let us not add, to the pangs of sorrow so many of us feel, the taint and smear of shame. Churchill

"I yearn for heart friendship between Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims," "Today it is non-existent.... Fasting is a satyrgurah's Last resort...this time my fast is not only against Hindus and Muslims but also against the judases who put on false appearances and betray themselves, myself and society." Gandhi

England plundered India and then when they show more were ready to cut them loose, they cut them loose! The mistakenly appointed Dickie mountbatten was given the job of closing up England's troops and civil structures that they had managed for~100 years. Mountbatten was at the point of studying for an admiral's license, and in a hurry to get back to it, but thought, "Oh, this'll be a plume in my hat to wrap this up in less Time than they planned." Without putting into plan any way to supervise this transition, mountbatten approved a plan to cut India apart and make an East and West part for Muslims. Ay ay ay, the problems and murder and rape and violence that ensued.!!! Poor Indians had no means of dealing with the slaughter, refugees, division of government property and resources.!!! England took all her troops, artillery, officers, everything that could have helped to supervise the frantic migration of Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims trying to get to the badly partitioned part of India that their people were concentrated in. Millions never made it, as each group was full of maddened religious fervor. show less