Chairman of the India and Pakistan Boundary Commission

The chairman of the India and Pakistan Boundary Commission, announced by Lord Mountbatten in 1947, was Cyril Radcliffe.

Cyril Radcliffe was a British lawyer and a prominent figure in the legal field. He was appointed as the chairman of the Boundary Commission with the task of drawing the borders between India and Pakistan during the partition of British India.

Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, had been given the responsibility of overseeing the process of partition and independence. As part of this process, Radcliffe was appointed to lead the Boundary Commission. His role was to determine the borders between the two newly created nations based on religious demographics, historical claims, and other relevant factors.

Radcliffe had no prior knowledge or experience of the region and was given only five weeks to complete the task. His lack of familiarity with the complexities and sensitivities of the region made his job extremely challenging.

The commission had to consider various factors such as religious and ethnic demographics, economic considerations, linguistic divisions, and administrative boundaries while drawing the borders. The task was further complicated by the presence of enclaves, disputed territories, and conflicting claims.

Radcliffe worked diligently and made his final recommendations on August 9, 1947, just two days before India gained independence. His recommendations were released on August 17, 1947, and formed the basis for the borders between India and Pakistan.

The Radcliffe Line, as it came to be known, divided the Punjab and Bengal provinces, which were the most populous and contentious regions during the partition. The line resulted in the displacement of millions of people and led to widespread violence and communal riots.

Despite the criticism and controversy surrounding the Radcliffe Line, Cyril Radcliffe carried out his role as the chairman of the Boundary Commission to the best of his abilities under challenging circumstances. His decisions had a lasting impact on the lives of millions of people and continue to shape the relationship between India and Pakistan to this day.