Locate the Areas Awarded to Pakistan by Boundary Commission on Map of South Asia
Chapter 2: Emergence and Creation of Pakistan (1940–1947)
SLO Content
The Boundary Commission, through the Radcliffe Award of 1947, decided the borders between Pakistan and India. The areas awarded to Pakistan mainly included Muslim-majority districts of Punjab and Bengal along with provinces that became part of Pakistan. Understanding their locations on the map of South Asia helps explain the geographical formation of Pakistan.
Areas Awarded to Pakistan by Boundary Commission
Point 1
Western Punjab
Western Punjab was awarded to Pakistan as a Muslim-majority region. Important cities including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan and Faisalabad became part of Pakistan. It was located in the north-eastern region of Pakistan and became an important agricultural area.
Point 2
Lahore District
Lahore District was awarded to Pakistan by the Boundary Commission. Lahore became one of the most important cities of Pakistan due to its historical, cultural and political importance.
Point 3
Sindh Province
Sindh became part of Pakistan and was located in the south-eastern region of the new country. Karachi, located in Sindh, became the first capital of Pakistan and an important port city.
Point 4
North-West Frontier Province (NWFP)
The NWFP became part of Pakistan after the 1947 referendum. It was located in the north-western region of South Asia and had strategic importance due to its border with Afghanistan.
Point 5
Balochistan Region
Balochistan became part of Pakistan and formed the western part of the country. It was important because of its large area, natural resources and strategic location near Iran and Afghanistan.
Point 6
East Bengal
East Bengal was awarded to Pakistan as a Muslim-majority province in the eastern part of South Asia. It became the eastern wing of Pakistan and included important areas such as Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet.
Point 7
Sylhet District
Sylhet was a district of Assam that joined East Bengal after the 1947 referendum. It became part of Pakistan and was geographically connected with the eastern wing of the country.
Point 8
Gurdaspur and the Boundary Decision
Gurdaspur was awarded to India by the Boundary Commission despite having a significant Muslim population. Its location became important because it provided India with a land route to Kashmir. Pakistan considered this decision controversial.
Point 9
Karachi and Coastal Areas
Karachi and the coastal areas of Sindh became part of Pakistan through the partition settlement. Karachi's location on the Arabian Sea made it important for trade, communication and defence.
Point 10
Strategic Border Regions
The western border regions of Pakistan, including areas of Balochistan and the North-West Frontier Province, were important because of their location near Afghanistan and Iran. These areas strengthened Pakistan's strategic position in South Asia.
Map Activity
Locate the Areas on Map of South Asia
Identify the correct area awarded to Pakistan by the Boundary Commission according to the description.
1. Which region became the western wing of Pakistan and included cities like Lahore and Multan?
2. Which province was located on the Arabian Sea coast and contained Pakistan's first capital?
3. Which area became the eastern wing of Pakistan after partition?
4. Which district joined East Bengal after a referendum in 1947?
5. Which region strengthened Pakistan's western border because of its location near Afghanistan and Iran?
Concept-Based MCQ
Which award officially decided the boundaries between Pakistan and India in 1947?
Answer Key
Correct Answer: The Radcliffe Award officially decided the boundaries between Pakistan and India in 1947. It allocated Muslim-majority areas to Pakistan and non-Muslim-majority areas to India, although some decisions became controversial.
Paper II Practice
Extended Response Question (ERQ)
Locate the areas awarded to Pakistan by the Boundary Commission on the map of South Asia. Explain the geographical importance of these areas and discuss how these regions contributed to the formation and development of Pakistan in 1947.