What do you think?
Rate this book
Gazing at Neighbours: Travels Along the Line That Partitioned India
About the Book
AN INTERESTING TAKE AT THE PARTITION OF THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT, THIS BOOK LOOKS AT THE PLACES DOTTING INDIA’S BORDERS WITH ITS NEIGHBOURS AND THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE.
In July 1947, British barrister Cyril Radcliffe was summoned to New Delhi and given five weeks to draw, on the map of the subcontinent, two zigzagged lines that would decide the future of one-fifth of the human race.
One line, 553 kilometres long, created the province of West Punjab; the other, adding up to 4,096 kilometres, carved out a province called East Bengal. Both territories joined the newborn nation of Pakistan—an event called the Partition of India, which saw one million people being butchered and another fifteen million uprooted from their homes.
Enough and more has been written about the horrors of Partition, but what of the people who actually inhabit the land through which these lines run?
Curiosity leads Bishwanath Ghosh into journeying along the Radcliffe Line—through the vibrant greenery of Punjab as well as the more melancholic landscape of the states surrounding Bangladesh—and examining, first hand, life on the border. Recording his encounters and experiences in luminous prose, Gazing at Neighbours is a narrative of historical stock-taking as much as of travel.
About the Author
Bishwanath Ghosh, born in Kanpur on 26 December 1970, is the author of the hugely popular Chai, Travels in Places Where You Stop But Never Get Off. He’s also a Hindi poet, who has two well-received compilations—Jiyo Banaras and Tedhi-Medhi Lakeeren—to his credit. His other books include Tamarind Where Modern India Began; Longing, An Outsider at Home in Calcutta and Gazing at Travels Along the Line that Partitioned India. He is an Associate Editor with The Hindu newspaper and lives in Calcutta.
AN INTERESTING TAKE AT THE PARTITION OF THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT, THIS BOOK LOOKS AT THE PLACES DOTTING INDIA’S BORDERS WITH ITS NEIGHBOURS AND THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE.
In July 1947, British barrister Cyril Radcliffe was summoned to New Delhi and given five weeks to draw, on the map of the subcontinent, two zigzagged lines that would decide the future of one-fifth of the human race.
One line, 553 kilometres long, created the province of West Punjab; the other, adding up to 4,096 kilometres, carved out a province called East Bengal. Both territories joined the newborn nation of Pakistan—an event called the Partition of India, which saw one million people being butchered and another fifteen million uprooted from their homes.
Enough and more has been written about the horrors of Partition, but what of the people who actually inhabit the land through which these lines run?
Curiosity leads Bishwanath Ghosh into journeying along the Radcliffe Line—through the vibrant greenery of Punjab as well as the more melancholic landscape of the states surrounding Bangladesh—and examining, first hand, life on the border. Recording his encounters and experiences in luminous prose, Gazing at Neighbours is a narrative of historical stock-taking as much as of travel.
About the Author
Bishwanath Ghosh, born in Kanpur on 26 December 1970, is the author of the hugely popular Chai, Travels in Places Where You Stop But Never Get Off. He’s also a Hindi poet, who has two well-received compilations—Jiyo Banaras and Tedhi-Medhi Lakeeren—to his credit. His other books include Tamarind Where Modern India Began; Longing, An Outsider at Home in Calcutta and Gazing at Travels Along the Line that Partitioned India. He is an Associate Editor with The Hindu newspaper and lives in Calcutta.
358 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 21, 2024
38 people are currently reading
248 people want to read
About the author
Bishwanath Ghosh
8 books104 followersBishwanath Ghosh is a writer, journalist and poet, born on 26 December 1970 in Kanpur. After spending much of his working life in Chennai, he is now settled in Calcutta, where he presently serves as an associate editor with The Hindu newspaper. His books include:
1. Jiyo Banaras (जियो बनारस), a collection of Hindi poems on Banaras, published January 2022;
2. Aimless in Banaras: Wanderings in India’s Holiest City (2019);
3. Gazing at Neighbours: Travels Along the Line That Partitioned India (2017);
4. Longing, Belonging: An Outsider at Home in Calcutta (2014);
5. Tamarind City: Where Modern India Began (2012), which is a portrait of Madras, now known as Chennai.
6. Chai, Chai: Travels in Places Where You Stop but Never Get Off (2009), which The Telegraph (Calcutta) called "a delightful travelogue with a difference".
He also contributed two stories to Urban Shots, a collection of short stories published in 2010.
1. Jiyo Banaras (जियो बनारस), a collection of Hindi poems on Banaras, published January 2022;
2. Aimless in Banaras: Wanderings in India’s Holiest City (2019);
3. Gazing at Neighbours: Travels Along the Line That Partitioned India (2017);
4. Longing, Belonging: An Outsider at Home in Calcutta (2014);
5. Tamarind City: Where Modern India Began (2012), which is a portrait of Madras, now known as Chennai.
6. Chai, Chai: Travels in Places Where You Stop but Never Get Off (2009), which The Telegraph (Calcutta) called "a delightful travelogue with a difference".
He also contributed two stories to Urban Shots, a collection of short stories published in 2010.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
December 15, 2018
Lets begin with my introduction.
My grandparents were born before partition in what is now called Bangladesh.I live in Uttarakhand,a state that borders both China and Nepal.Pakistan border is about 500 kms from my place of residence and I regularly visit West Bengal,a state that borders Bangladesh.
I have seen international borders in Amritsar and Dawki and maritime border in Rameshwaram.So,I have a bit of knowledge.
This a second book of Bishwanath Ghosh I have come across.The first one was Chai Chai which in my opinion was great.
But Ghosh's books have a lot to be desired and these minuses come glaring out in this book.
Thus this a review in detail but without spoilers as there is nothing to spoil.
And thats the first minus point.His research is shallow and this is highlighted by the mention of same Radcliffe chant again and again.If you are writing a travelogue inspired by history,you should have more knowledge than the locals(you are writing a book afterall not chasing myths).
The second demerit is his thirst for alcohol.Who cares where you drank or what brand of scotch you got and from where!!!!This is unnecessary.This was also a problem in Chai Chai but this non issue didn't come up in each chapter.
Another point I would consider Ghosh completely missed was the selection of neighbours of India.India shares its land border with six countries and maritime border mainly with two countries.Hence,the title is misleading.Moreover,if he was clicking a photograph now and then,why they were not included in the book(a problem in Chai Chai as
well which I ignored in my review)?This question was unanswered.
The last demerit is the travel itself.I think,Mr.Ghosh forgot the fact that three more states viz Rajasthan,J&K and Gujarat, also share border with Pakistan!!!
But certain things work for the book which make it readable like the simplicity of language.Then the description of life on the border was amazing.Ghosh also brings out the human in the (wo)man wearing the BSF uniform.The plight of BSF/CRPF was also highlighted.The description of the border in general is good.
All in all its a one time readable book.I am going for 2.5 stars which round up to three.
Last but not the least,I am not disappointed but I wanted more;hence the harsh review.
Sorry Mr.Ghosh if you are offended.
My grandparents were born before partition in what is now called Bangladesh.I live in Uttarakhand,a state that borders both China and Nepal.Pakistan border is about 500 kms from my place of residence and I regularly visit West Bengal,a state that borders Bangladesh.
I have seen international borders in Amritsar and Dawki and maritime border in Rameshwaram.So,I have a bit of knowledge.
This a second book of Bishwanath Ghosh I have come across.The first one was Chai Chai which in my opinion was great.
But Ghosh's books have a lot to be desired and these minuses come glaring out in this book.
Thus this a review in detail but without spoilers as there is nothing to spoil.
And thats the first minus point.His research is shallow and this is highlighted by the mention of same Radcliffe chant again and again.If you are writing a travelogue inspired by history,you should have more knowledge than the locals(you are writing a book afterall not chasing myths).
The second demerit is his thirst for alcohol.Who cares where you drank or what brand of scotch you got and from where!!!!This is unnecessary.This was also a problem in Chai Chai but this non issue didn't come up in each chapter.
Another point I would consider Ghosh completely missed was the selection of neighbours of India.India shares its land border with six countries and maritime border mainly with two countries.Hence,the title is misleading.Moreover,if he was clicking a photograph now and then,why they were not included in the book(a problem in Chai Chai as
well which I ignored in my review)?This question was unanswered.
The last demerit is the travel itself.I think,Mr.Ghosh forgot the fact that three more states viz Rajasthan,J&K and Gujarat, also share border with Pakistan!!!
But certain things work for the book which make it readable like the simplicity of language.Then the description of life on the border was amazing.Ghosh also brings out the human in the (wo)man wearing the BSF uniform.The plight of BSF/CRPF was also highlighted.The description of the border in general is good.
All in all its a one time readable book.I am going for 2.5 stars which round up to three.
Last but not the least,I am not disappointed but I wanted more;hence the harsh review.
Sorry Mr.Ghosh if you are offended.
March 18, 2022
Travels, stories and realities at the borders of India.
The people, villages, security on a real page.
We have seen many books portraying the ill effects of partition. This one shows the reality now.
The people, villages, security on a real page.
We have seen many books portraying the ill effects of partition. This one shows the reality now.
December 22, 2018
I do like that the author seriously dedicated his time to explore tenporal-spatial divisions by physcially going to these places and consulting few common man amongst his litany of BSF and friends. But the quality of writing is not worth mich. I felt it quite simplistic and repeatitive, as if the writer was blocking his way intentionally or lacks literary talent to do justice to the title. It is dry and doesn't reflect emotions, as they're portrayrd to be. It is not even comprehensive in terms of facts except those referring to current split between 2 major parties and the enmity betwern two countries. Please don't expect much unless you're too naive about politics and want to know a bit of history to alter blame game with a bit of humanistic principles. Plus it merely gazes at neighbor, which implies that the gaze is one sided and intrusive without the opinion of other side consulted thoroughly.
March 31, 2021
Average at best. A travelogue centred on the theme of partition along the Radcliffe Line.
However by the time the author actually reaches towards the last few border crossings, I was more than done with the story and the book.
It does provide interesting nuggets of information but they are few and far between.
However by the time the author actually reaches towards the last few border crossings, I was more than done with the story and the book.
It does provide interesting nuggets of information but they are few and far between.
July 31, 2018
This is the first travelogue that I've read. Ghosh takes us through his journey along the Radcliffe line both on the western and the eastern side of India. The narrative is very informative and puts into perspective the time of Partition and the way people live there now. (The account is of 2015). There is little difference between the people on either side of the border who have shared language and culture for centuries. The Radcliffe line is imaginary both metaphorically and physically and the divide is mental not physical. Even then, the last curse that the British have put on India in the form of Partition is going to torment generations but never will it be able to divide people who are and were essentially one.
March 19, 2018
Biswanath Ghosh as usual, doesn't disappoint.
Good observations. Good narratives.
The author manages to capture the emotions of the people he meets and the places he travels to.
Thoroughly enjoyable, and highly recommended.
Good observations. Good narratives.
The author manages to capture the emotions of the people he meets and the places he travels to.
Thoroughly enjoyable, and highly recommended.
November 4, 2018
The author travels along the partitioned borders of Pakistan and Bangladesh (earlier west Pakistan) and profiles the residents around the borders. The narrative is slick and flowing but ultimately unsatisfying as the details of the partition are covered in superficial detail.
The stories of the people living in the Cooch Behar enclaves is pretty interesting as also the porous border with Bangladesh. The Radcliffe line overnight divided people in two nations but the bonds remain. It doesn't matter that the people are governed by different but the cultures are the same with many people having personal and trade relations across the border. A quick breezy read.
The stories of the people living in the Cooch Behar enclaves is pretty interesting as also the porous border with Bangladesh. The Radcliffe line overnight divided people in two nations but the bonds remain. It doesn't matter that the people are governed by different but the cultures are the same with many people having personal and trade relations across the border. A quick breezy read.
November 18, 2019
This travel book across places on Radcliff line feels upbeat, sad and downright miserable at times. Portions in Punjab were relatable, however places in Bengal made it feel remote, all along stressing the fact that comman man is still happy with the neighbors with whom he shares his culture, rather than some politicians who make decisions sitting in remote places.
April 21, 2020
get a vivid account of life across pak and bdesh border. His narration about the eastern border is better in comparison with the west, might be his bengali origin helps to connect with the east . The editor could have done better job
July 22, 2020
Very informative travelogue and social commentary.
The author has traveled to various places on Indian side along the Redcliffe line, which serves as a border between India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh. He chose these places based on his own research and their historical significance.
During his travel he has provided historical lessons which were quite informative and has successfully been able to show how a hastily drawn line has impacted lives of many families. There are places where the border divides a house into two, one portion in Bangladesh and the other in India.
The author saw the life of BSF at border very closely as he enjoyed the hospitality of BSF at many places. He was able to appreciate tough life of BSF and how little of the appreciation they get. Most of the country think it’s the army soldier who is awake at night so that we can sleep, but it is actually BSF who guards the international border at east and west so that we can sleep. BSF is the first line of defence.
The language of the book is very simple, conversational and easy to understand.
The author has traveled to various places on Indian side along the Redcliffe line, which serves as a border between India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh. He chose these places based on his own research and their historical significance.
During his travel he has provided historical lessons which were quite informative and has successfully been able to show how a hastily drawn line has impacted lives of many families. There are places where the border divides a house into two, one portion in Bangladesh and the other in India.
The author saw the life of BSF at border very closely as he enjoyed the hospitality of BSF at many places. He was able to appreciate tough life of BSF and how little of the appreciation they get. Most of the country think it’s the army soldier who is awake at night so that we can sleep, but it is actually BSF who guards the international border at east and west so that we can sleep. BSF is the first line of defence.
The language of the book is very simple, conversational and easy to understand.
July 31, 2020
3.5/5 How do ppl who actually live near the border think of Pakistan and Bangladesh ? The first half was set in Punjab and the author managed to turn this into a mini-Punjab travelogue. 4/5 to this half.
In the second half, he covered the states bordering Bangladesh. The story of enclaves was well-covered. It was surprising to read how weirdly the partition line ran through courtyards of houses. And how porous the border is !
On the negative side, I was under the impression that the author had also travelled to Pakistan and Bangladesh for this book. It feels a little incomplete without getting to know their sentiments. Maybe, a future book will have them.
Another problem is his repeated gyaan on how partition could have been avoided yada yada... Dont want to spoil the mood by elaborating but it was juvenile.
Biswanath Ghosh is possibly India’s best writer of travelogues right now. And he is consistently good. This was my 3rd book by him and will be reading his book on Banaras soon.
In the second half, he covered the states bordering Bangladesh. The story of enclaves was well-covered. It was surprising to read how weirdly the partition line ran through courtyards of houses. And how porous the border is !
On the negative side, I was under the impression that the author had also travelled to Pakistan and Bangladesh for this book. It feels a little incomplete without getting to know their sentiments. Maybe, a future book will have them.
Another problem is his repeated gyaan on how partition could have been avoided yada yada... Dont want to spoil the mood by elaborating but it was juvenile.
Biswanath Ghosh is possibly India’s best writer of travelogues right now. And he is consistently good. This was my 3rd book by him and will be reading his book on Banaras soon.
March 30, 2018
A smooth blend of travel and history, with the latter forming an unobtrusive background and letting the experiences of travel along the 'Partition borders' of India take centrestage.
A lot of the book is about interactions with people living in erstwhile theatres of history and their nonchalance to those momentous events. Ghosh manages to bring in interesting points of view to each of these interactions and keep the narrative chugging along.
A lot of the book is about interactions with people living in erstwhile theatres of history and their nonchalance to those momentous events. Ghosh manages to bring in interesting points of view to each of these interactions and keep the narrative chugging along.
November 29, 2017
"Just buy it "
A) Some books you just taste,but this one I am sure you can taste ,eat and digest.
B) "A lot of information" you will get from this book especially of the border areas (i.e with Pakistan and Bangladesh).
C) The "language" of the book is "very simple",so any layman can also read and understand the concept of the book.
D) You will surely laugh in between because of the author's way of describing this particular journey around the border areas.
E)But one thing which is missing in this book is that the author didn't include the pictures which he clicked during his journey, otherwise the book is excellent you can go for it, "Value for money".
I hope u like the review,thanks for reading."Jai hind."
A) Some books you just taste,but this one I am sure you can taste ,eat and digest.
B) "A lot of information" you will get from this book especially of the border areas (i.e with Pakistan and Bangladesh).
C) The "language" of the book is "very simple",so any layman can also read and understand the concept of the book.
D) You will surely laugh in between because of the author's way of describing this particular journey around the border areas.
E)But one thing which is missing in this book is that the author didn't include the pictures which he clicked during his journey, otherwise the book is excellent you can go for it, "Value for money".
I hope u like the review,thanks for reading."Jai hind."
September 19, 2017
সাধারণ বই | কিন্তু Radcliffe লাইনকে ঘিরে স্বাধীনতার পর মানুষের জীবনে যেই পরিবর্তন এসেছে তা পাঠক বন্ধুদের বারবার দেশ ভাগের ভয়াবহ স্মৃতি ফিরিয়ে দেবে| এখানে দাঙ্গা, রক্তপাত,খুনো-খুনির চেয়েও বেশি ভাবে দেখানো হয়েছে কত পরিবার ওই একটা লাইনের দরুন আলাদা হয়ে ���েছে এবং তারা কি ভাবে বেঁচে আছে(স্মৃতি ও সংস্কৃতি) এত বছর পরেও সেই সব কিছু কে মানিয়ে নিয়ে | পশ্চিমে পাঞ্জাব'র সীমান্ত সংলগ্ন বিভিন্ন অঞ্চল এবং পূর্বে পশ্চিম বঙ্গ, অসম, মেঘালয় ও ত্রিপুরার কিছু অঞ্চল কে নিয়ে বিশ্বনাথ ঘোষ'র চতুর্থ বই " Gazing At Neighbours " | খুব ইন্টারেষ্টিং ট্রাভেলগ বলবোনা কিন্তু আত্তারি, গুরদাসপুর, হোসেনওয়ালা, করিমগঞ্জ,ডাউকি নিয়ে চ্যাপ্টার গুলো সত্যি উল্লেখযোগ্য |
June 15, 2020
Travelogue of a Chennai-based jounrnalist for The Hindu who was brought up in Kanpur and whose ancestors were from Bengal. The author travels along the Radcliffe Line (503 Km in the West and 4906 Km in the East) visiting border villages and interacting with villagers and BSF personnel in Punjab, Assam, West Bengal, Tripura and Meghalaya.
July 19, 2018
3.5 stars
Read
September 13, 2020Partition! The Radcliffe Line! Border!
These are all words I had heard as a child - as a student and as a reader - but hardly ever since then! These were not words which meant much to me!
Being from West Bengal, and descendant from a family who had immigrated from current Bangladesh - albeit a hundred years ago - I still heard fond memories and great anecdotes about the peaceful cohabiting life in the east as a child! Funnily enough, most of the recollections were from people who had left the country as toddlers - or had been born in the west - as I realized much much later!
But now in my daily life - I don't think of the border - about the Radcliffe Line to be precise - and what exactly it represents! I mean, for starters, I don't stay anywhere close to it - neither do any of my friends or family! My life is hardly ever affected by the forever evolving relationship between the neighbours - and any changes to status quo hardly ever registers as more than a blip in my radar!
I am lucky!
Millions were uprooted in the month of August of 1947, suddenly outsiders in the land where they had lived for generations! People they had grown up with - turned hostile blood thirsty foes - fueled by a religious and pseudo nationalistic fervour which so often turns men into something a lot baser - crueler! I had heard these accounts before - maybe touched upon them in some history book or movie or the other - but never given it a second thought!
What I had also not thought about was how the life of those who still lived near this man-made line was affected - and unfortunately remained affected till today!
The book 'Gazing At Neighbours' by respected journalist Bishwanath Ghosh throws such amazing light with his trademark personal touches on the people living there - against barricades and barbed-wire fences, whose lives continue to be effected by the actions of a clueless British lawyer some 70 odd years ago!
Bishwanath decided to travel to the borders on both the East & the West - thereby visiting the two provinces of the erstwhile British India which were torn apart and burned - Punjab and Bengal. He was able to see with his own eyes and by his conversations with the people who stayed there - that how their lives are still regulated and controlled by the fact that they live close to the barriers between the uncomfortable neighbours.
Both in the East as well as in the West, what comes out again and again is the fact that both the common man and the border guards don't give two hoots about the fervours of feverish religious nationalism - one set is trying to live their life by earning their literal daily bread while for the other it is their job. Neither do they bear any particular animosity towards those on the other side of the border nor any particular ill will to those who enforce it!
One sentiment which so often gets echoed throughout the common man - that it would have been better if there had been no partition! If we could simply live like the way we did for hundreds of years before those fateful days in 1947 and we have for a almost a hundred since then! Yes there had been hiccups - and there surely will be more! But the lines drawn across the sand - across the green fields and the mountain ravines - across the rivers and ponds - is unfortunately so indelible and so final - and hardened with so much spilled blood - that it may only sustain as a pipe dream for those who had lost everything and lose it again and again whenever they pass their gaze over the proverbial other side.
This is not a history book - but just like the other books by Bishwanath have strong roots in history - mixed with the common man and his common daily lives. What separates it from a dry account of historical facts are the travels of a man - his experiences, his feelings, his views - and his craftsmanship which transports you to the barbed wire fence with BSF sentries for company - and a craving - a pipe dream maybe - of one day - maybe - going there - and gazing - at what was once was a part of home!
Read the full review and many others at my Blog: https://www.uprootedbong.com/blog
These are all words I had heard as a child - as a student and as a reader - but hardly ever since then! These were not words which meant much to me!
Being from West Bengal, and descendant from a family who had immigrated from current Bangladesh - albeit a hundred years ago - I still heard fond memories and great anecdotes about the peaceful cohabiting life in the east as a child! Funnily enough, most of the recollections were from people who had left the country as toddlers - or had been born in the west - as I realized much much later!
But now in my daily life - I don't think of the border - about the Radcliffe Line to be precise - and what exactly it represents! I mean, for starters, I don't stay anywhere close to it - neither do any of my friends or family! My life is hardly ever affected by the forever evolving relationship between the neighbours - and any changes to status quo hardly ever registers as more than a blip in my radar!
I am lucky!
Millions were uprooted in the month of August of 1947, suddenly outsiders in the land where they had lived for generations! People they had grown up with - turned hostile blood thirsty foes - fueled by a religious and pseudo nationalistic fervour which so often turns men into something a lot baser - crueler! I had heard these accounts before - maybe touched upon them in some history book or movie or the other - but never given it a second thought!
What I had also not thought about was how the life of those who still lived near this man-made line was affected - and unfortunately remained affected till today!
The book 'Gazing At Neighbours' by respected journalist Bishwanath Ghosh throws such amazing light with his trademark personal touches on the people living there - against barricades and barbed-wire fences, whose lives continue to be effected by the actions of a clueless British lawyer some 70 odd years ago!
Bishwanath decided to travel to the borders on both the East & the West - thereby visiting the two provinces of the erstwhile British India which were torn apart and burned - Punjab and Bengal. He was able to see with his own eyes and by his conversations with the people who stayed there - that how their lives are still regulated and controlled by the fact that they live close to the barriers between the uncomfortable neighbours.
Both in the East as well as in the West, what comes out again and again is the fact that both the common man and the border guards don't give two hoots about the fervours of feverish religious nationalism - one set is trying to live their life by earning their literal daily bread while for the other it is their job. Neither do they bear any particular animosity towards those on the other side of the border nor any particular ill will to those who enforce it!
One sentiment which so often gets echoed throughout the common man - that it would have been better if there had been no partition! If we could simply live like the way we did for hundreds of years before those fateful days in 1947 and we have for a almost a hundred since then! Yes there had been hiccups - and there surely will be more! But the lines drawn across the sand - across the green fields and the mountain ravines - across the rivers and ponds - is unfortunately so indelible and so final - and hardened with so much spilled blood - that it may only sustain as a pipe dream for those who had lost everything and lose it again and again whenever they pass their gaze over the proverbial other side.
This is not a history book - but just like the other books by Bishwanath have strong roots in history - mixed with the common man and his common daily lives. What separates it from a dry account of historical facts are the travels of a man - his experiences, his feelings, his views - and his craftsmanship which transports you to the barbed wire fence with BSF sentries for company - and a craving - a pipe dream maybe - of one day - maybe - going there - and gazing - at what was once was a part of home!
Read the full review and many others at my Blog: https://www.uprootedbong.com/blog
April 29, 2022
Gazing at Neighbours: Travels Along the Line That Partitioned India.
By
Bishwanath Ghosh.
The pain of partition has been an unfamiliar chapter in my life. Although I had read about the atrocities of the World Wars, this episode in the history of my own country opened my eyes to the reality of Independence and Freedom. And as I continued to read, I felt I could relate to the events which had taken place so many decades ago - there was something about the approach of this author, he deals with pain with due reverence and respect.
The Radcliffe line partitioned India and created Pakistan and Bangladesh. It appears to have been drawn arbitrarily, without any plan and thought, leaving large chunks of people in No man's land. The massacre and violence which followed, rears its head often and the neighbors have never been truly at ease.
The author visits this line decades after partition. He provides a glimpse into the land we may wish to traverse. It makes for a thought provoking read.
Now as I read, I wonder why people find it easy to blame Gandhi or Jinnah alone for the partition. In my view, blame must be shared by all the freedom fighters and the people at large for agreeing to and accepting this plan. As Maulana Abul Kalam Azad asks in his book, what was the hurry?
“If Partition evoked such feelings of anger and sorrow in the hearts of all Indians, why did the Indian people accept it? Why was there not greater opposition to it? Why was there such a hurry in taking a decision which almost everybody regarded as wrong? If the right solution of the Indian problem could not be found by 15 August, why take a wrong decision and then sorrow over it? I had again and again said that it was better to wait till a correct solution was found. I had done my best but my friends and colleagues unfortunately did not support me. The only explanation I can find for their strange blindness to facts is that anger or despair had clouded their vision. Perhaps also the fixation of a date—15 August—acted like a charm and hypnotised them into accepting what Mountbatten chose to offer."
By
Bishwanath Ghosh.
The pain of partition has been an unfamiliar chapter in my life. Although I had read about the atrocities of the World Wars, this episode in the history of my own country opened my eyes to the reality of Independence and Freedom. And as I continued to read, I felt I could relate to the events which had taken place so many decades ago - there was something about the approach of this author, he deals with pain with due reverence and respect.
The Radcliffe line partitioned India and created Pakistan and Bangladesh. It appears to have been drawn arbitrarily, without any plan and thought, leaving large chunks of people in No man's land. The massacre and violence which followed, rears its head often and the neighbors have never been truly at ease.
The author visits this line decades after partition. He provides a glimpse into the land we may wish to traverse. It makes for a thought provoking read.
Now as I read, I wonder why people find it easy to blame Gandhi or Jinnah alone for the partition. In my view, blame must be shared by all the freedom fighters and the people at large for agreeing to and accepting this plan. As Maulana Abul Kalam Azad asks in his book, what was the hurry?
“If Partition evoked such feelings of anger and sorrow in the hearts of all Indians, why did the Indian people accept it? Why was there not greater opposition to it? Why was there such a hurry in taking a decision which almost everybody regarded as wrong? If the right solution of the Indian problem could not be found by 15 August, why take a wrong decision and then sorrow over it? I had again and again said that it was better to wait till a correct solution was found. I had done my best but my friends and colleagues unfortunately did not support me. The only explanation I can find for their strange blindness to facts is that anger or despair had clouded their vision. Perhaps also the fixation of a date—15 August—acted like a charm and hypnotised them into accepting what Mountbatten chose to offer."
April 2, 2021
Extremely Insightful Travelogue
I bought this book by Bishwanath Ghosh, immediately after reading Tamarind City by the same author.
The book is a journal of experiences on the author's travel along the Radcliffe Line - the imaginary line drawn by Sir Cyril Radcliffe splitting the land into two nations - India and Pakistan.
While his observations and experiences are very interesting with lots of historical tidbits thrown in, which otherwise a person like me wouldn't have come across, they are not in any way extraordinary, which is definitely not his fault.
There are lots of little, new stuff that one wouldn't find elsewhere...
- I never knew that farmers in Attari, who live right next to the border will have to cross the border fence every day to access their fields, as the fence is 150 yards inside India's territory.
- Never did I know that Indian and Pakistani soldiers practice together behind the scenes for the flag lowering ceremony at Wagah border
- Similarly, the zig zagged border with Bangladesh where it is almost impossible for a layman to know where his country's territory ends
- The place where the imaginary line crosses through the courtyard placing the house of one of the four brothers in the other side of the International border
- The interesting history behind the enclaves within India and Bangladesh, that came about as a result of gambling stake by Raja of Cooch Behar
- The beauty of Meghalaya, closeness of Agartala to Bangladesh, Plassey's history etc.
Overall the book is quite insightful and makes me want to travel to North East. One couldn't help get the feeling that the author was always carrying a bottle of liquor with him all the time, due to the references about his drink at every opportunity. I wouldn't categorize this as a "must read, but definitely an "interesting read".
I bought this book by Bishwanath Ghosh, immediately after reading Tamarind City by the same author.
The book is a journal of experiences on the author's travel along the Radcliffe Line - the imaginary line drawn by Sir Cyril Radcliffe splitting the land into two nations - India and Pakistan.
While his observations and experiences are very interesting with lots of historical tidbits thrown in, which otherwise a person like me wouldn't have come across, they are not in any way extraordinary, which is definitely not his fault.
There are lots of little, new stuff that one wouldn't find elsewhere...
- I never knew that farmers in Attari, who live right next to the border will have to cross the border fence every day to access their fields, as the fence is 150 yards inside India's territory.
- Never did I know that Indian and Pakistani soldiers practice together behind the scenes for the flag lowering ceremony at Wagah border
- Similarly, the zig zagged border with Bangladesh where it is almost impossible for a layman to know where his country's territory ends
- The place where the imaginary line crosses through the courtyard placing the house of one of the four brothers in the other side of the International border
- The interesting history behind the enclaves within India and Bangladesh, that came about as a result of gambling stake by Raja of Cooch Behar
- The beauty of Meghalaya, closeness of Agartala to Bangladesh, Plassey's history etc.
Overall the book is quite insightful and makes me want to travel to North East. One couldn't help get the feeling that the author was always carrying a bottle of liquor with him all the time, due to the references about his drink at every opportunity. I wouldn't categorize this as a "must read, but definitely an "interesting read".
April 14, 2020
Book 10 - Gazing the neighbours , By Biswanath Ghosh. Having taken a liking for the authors almost effortless writing which makes it an effortless read and post reading last 2 books (longing belonging and Chai Chai) picking up this one was very easy. In this book, authors travels across the (in)famous Radcliffe line that eventually became border between India and her 2 neighbors. The book is divided between two parts, West dealing with Pakistan India border across various places of Punjab and East , Bangladesh India border across places in WB Mizoram Shillong. Depending upon where a reader has travelled , it would become easy to connect to the travelogue styled writing. This book does leave you richer by knowledge of how are and what happens in those border areas where a reader in his life might not visit at all. In West part, author travels to Amritsar and details Wagah - Attari border , Samjhauta express and all. He visits husaainiwala and Ferozpur , the places right at border with historical significance. He also visits Dera Baba Nanak , which is of significance from Sikh faith perspective. One who has been to Punjab will like reminder of lush green fields and joyful nature of Punjab and those who haven’t , this book will sure leave a tingling to visit. In East part, author has travelled more cities in number , with almost 3 NE states being taken into account . Karimganj-Sylheti connection , Boxanagar and Sonamura in Tripura to Cooch Behar and Malda in WB , these are few places where a Border might run in one’s courtyard. A more peaceful border than the western one. One should read this book if one wants to know more about these border areas.
December 11, 2022
Between 3 and 4 stars.
I somehow can never warm up to this Ghosh’s writing the way I warm up to another Ghosh’s writing. While he has interesting stories to tell, they seem way too linear and almost like a report out unlike Samanth Subramanian’s writing.
The partition has always fascinated me. Be it fiction pieces like The Ice Candy Man and Train to Pakistan or non-fiction pieces like the brilliant The Other Side of Silence, they’ve all had something new for me to learn. I expected the same from Gazing at Neighbours. I read the two parts on two different flights and am glad I separated out the book into two. The first part on Pakistan-Punjab side of the partition had nothing new to offer and I was almost tempted to drop the book when I finished that part. However, I decided to continue reading the East Pakistan-Bengal/Assam/Tripura side of the partition and I am really glad I did. I haven’t read many pieces of literature on this part (this part seems to be the neglected same way the North East is typically neglected). I am now tempted to travel to a few of these parts on the India-Bangladesh border the next time I am in Kolkata or Assam, since there is so much more to explore here.
Will I pick up Ghosh’s next book? Only time can tell!
I somehow can never warm up to this Ghosh’s writing the way I warm up to another Ghosh’s writing. While he has interesting stories to tell, they seem way too linear and almost like a report out unlike Samanth Subramanian’s writing.
The partition has always fascinated me. Be it fiction pieces like The Ice Candy Man and Train to Pakistan or non-fiction pieces like the brilliant The Other Side of Silence, they’ve all had something new for me to learn. I expected the same from Gazing at Neighbours. I read the two parts on two different flights and am glad I separated out the book into two. The first part on Pakistan-Punjab side of the partition had nothing new to offer and I was almost tempted to drop the book when I finished that part. However, I decided to continue reading the East Pakistan-Bengal/Assam/Tripura side of the partition and I am really glad I did. I haven’t read many pieces of literature on this part (this part seems to be the neglected same way the North East is typically neglected). I am now tempted to travel to a few of these parts on the India-Bangladesh border the next time I am in Kolkata or Assam, since there is so much more to explore here.
Will I pick up Ghosh’s next book? Only time can tell!
June 24, 2019
The book- Gazing at Neighbours describes the life of people in the area around Radcliffe Line, in the present day. The Radcliffe Line was the boundary demarcation line between the Indian and Pakistani portions of the Punjab and Bengal provinces of British India. The demarcation line was published on 17 August 1947 upon the Partition of India. Today its western side still serves as the Indo-Pakistani border and the eastern side serves as the India-Bangladesh border. The author- Bishwanath Ghosh travels to these places around Radcliffe Line, meets people living in the areas to understand their life after partition and in between mentions the historical significance of the place and compares it with present day situation. Apart from that lives of BSF (Border Security Forces), India's first line of defense is also discussed. The book is about revisiting history and understanding the partition and its impact around the Radcliffe Line areas. It is quite informative as well as keeps one interested till the very end. Never had I thought and known about partition in the way described in the book. Definitely a must read, in fact, it is worth reading again!
September 12, 2020
If you plan to read this book, you need to remember that this book is not about the partition of India but a travelogue of a journey along a manmade line which tore apart millions of lives and the soul of a nation. So it is unfair to expect an in-depth analysis of how the nation was wounded. What the author aims to do in the book is to give us a glimpse of what the scar of that wound looks like today and how August 1947 has affected the lands and the people along the Radcliffe line.
You sometimes catch a whiff of Chetan Bhagat in the author's writing but that can certainly be excused. The travelogue reminds us how borders, especially the ones hastily drawn by the British, are so imaginary and cruel. They may create political divisions but how do you arbitrarily divide culture in a couple of months?
P.S. I was hoping the author would travel along the western border through states other than Punjab too.
You sometimes catch a whiff of Chetan Bhagat in the author's writing but that can certainly be excused. The travelogue reminds us how borders, especially the ones hastily drawn by the British, are so imaginary and cruel. They may create political divisions but how do you arbitrarily divide culture in a couple of months?
P.S. I was hoping the author would travel along the western border through states other than Punjab too.
August 4, 2018
Bishwanath Ghosh brings out another nice, light reading travelogue after Chai Chai. The book looks at places around the Indian border on the western and eastern side. He visits Punjab, Bengal, Assam, Manipur and other north eastern states. He records the conversations that he has with the various people living around the border. Though he pays attention to details, he moves on to other things quickly to keep the narrative fast paced.
Despite the contrasting styles of partition of Pakistan and Bangladesh, it appears that the people have moved on and the hostility shown in media is more political than anything. There is little or no animosity on the ground.
I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to people who want to have a light read on India's borders.
Despite the contrasting styles of partition of Pakistan and Bangladesh, it appears that the people have moved on and the hostility shown in media is more political than anything. There is little or no animosity on the ground.
I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to people who want to have a light read on India's borders.
June 23, 2019
A travel through time on separation line
I like Bishwanath's style and penchant for details. This book also presents all the beauty of his writing. I visualise the areas as if I am travelling there while reading each of the book. This account of line of separation is very good account. I only found there is goodness of Muslims weigh more here as if Hindus and others on the line and their views were less on the mind of Bishwanath. This book is a very good travel account, does not present a comprehensive history coverage. Never the less when I picked up this book, histroy of partition was not playing on my mind but a travel to Radcliffe's line onlywas there. Hence it didn't affect the rating I chose.
I like Bishwanath's style and penchant for details. This book also presents all the beauty of his writing. I visualise the areas as if I am travelling there while reading each of the book. This account of line of separation is very good account. I only found there is goodness of Muslims weigh more here as if Hindus and others on the line and their views were less on the mind of Bishwanath. This book is a very good travel account, does not present a comprehensive history coverage. Never the less when I picked up this book, histroy of partition was not playing on my mind but a travel to Radcliffe's line onlywas there. Hence it didn't affect the rating I chose.
January 19, 2021
Religion was always a trump card of politicians and most effected is layman. Gazing at Neighbor is travel book by Biswanath Ghosh on his travel across Punjab and West Bengal Border.
Radcliffe line drawn by Sir Cyril Radcliff displaced millions separating their families, neighbors and assets they hardly earned most importantly some lost their life
First half of book is dedicated on his visit to Amritsar, one of most effected place last century which started by Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Partition, 1984 Sikh riot . He travels across Wagah border,Atari railway station(last railway station in India) and discuss with peoples and their lifes.
Second half is dedicated to Bangladesh, where Radcliffe line have separated people with a line from family, neighbors. Author travels across Bangladesh border and writes regarding life there.
Radcliffe line drawn by Sir Cyril Radcliff displaced millions separating their families, neighbors and assets they hardly earned most importantly some lost their life
First half of book is dedicated on his visit to Amritsar, one of most effected place last century which started by Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Partition, 1984 Sikh riot . He travels across Wagah border,Atari railway station(last railway station in India) and discuss with peoples and their lifes.
Second half is dedicated to Bangladesh, where Radcliffe line have separated people with a line from family, neighbors. Author travels across Bangladesh border and writes regarding life there.
April 22, 2025
Book 6/52: 300-500 pages long
I have read quite a few travellogues before, but each one of them has faltered in one way or the other, in either capturing my whole attention, or in capturing the essence of the travel itself. However, that changes with Bishwanath Ghosh's travelogue, Gazing at the Neighbours.
The most winning factor of this book, for me, is the entirely creative non fiction approach which the author takes on tackling the idea of Partition, rather than sticking to a scholarly criticism of the event, or even an overtly emotional account of the same. Bishwanath Ghosh took me on a tour around the areas in which he traversed; his prowess in writing is phenomenal, as he succinctly paints vivid pictures of the scenes and the people around him.
As a writer and a long-time reader, I always keep an eye out for how authors conjure images in their writings, especially because, I am myself a visual thinker, but a loser when it comes to creating simple yet convincing word-images myself. Ghosh's prose has been a good lesson regarding these two counts - he uses simple, commonplace words, without any unnecessary hyperbolic exaggerations of the language, and creates images that capture the mood and tone of his writing very well.
I also feel that the lackadaisical and undemanding nature of his writing helps me as a full-time scholar, to understand the nuances of a horrific event such as the Partition, without getting caught up in academic jargon, hosts of footnotes or intellectual befuddlement. I am simply in love with the way it is written, at once effortless and inviting to the reader. I kept wanting more and more of it.
I have read quite a few travellogues before, but each one of them has faltered in one way or the other, in either capturing my whole attention, or in capturing the essence of the travel itself. However, that changes with Bishwanath Ghosh's travelogue, Gazing at the Neighbours.
The most winning factor of this book, for me, is the entirely creative non fiction approach which the author takes on tackling the idea of Partition, rather than sticking to a scholarly criticism of the event, or even an overtly emotional account of the same. Bishwanath Ghosh took me on a tour around the areas in which he traversed; his prowess in writing is phenomenal, as he succinctly paints vivid pictures of the scenes and the people around him.
As a writer and a long-time reader, I always keep an eye out for how authors conjure images in their writings, especially because, I am myself a visual thinker, but a loser when it comes to creating simple yet convincing word-images myself. Ghosh's prose has been a good lesson regarding these two counts - he uses simple, commonplace words, without any unnecessary hyperbolic exaggerations of the language, and creates images that capture the mood and tone of his writing very well.
I also feel that the lackadaisical and undemanding nature of his writing helps me as a full-time scholar, to understand the nuances of a horrific event such as the Partition, without getting caught up in academic jargon, hosts of footnotes or intellectual befuddlement. I am simply in love with the way it is written, at once effortless and inviting to the reader. I kept wanting more and more of it.
May 20, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. In my opinion, it should have been two books.
One book on travels along the Pakistan border and should have included Gujarat, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, not just Punjab.
The second book should have been on travels along the Bangladesh border and should have included Mizoram. The author should have timed the visit during the dry season. It could also have included visits to Indian exclaves inside Bangladesh.
The author calls them enclaves. They are not. They are exclaves. Like Cabinda which is an exclave of Angola in Congo or Nakchivan which is an exclave of Azerbaijan in Armenia.
One book on travels along the Pakistan border and should have included Gujarat, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, not just Punjab.
The second book should have been on travels along the Bangladesh border and should have included Mizoram. The author should have timed the visit during the dry season. It could also have included visits to Indian exclaves inside Bangladesh.
The author calls them enclaves. They are not. They are exclaves. Like Cabinda which is an exclave of Angola in Congo or Nakchivan which is an exclave of Azerbaijan in Armenia.
December 25, 2019
This is a most interesting book. Bishwanath Ghosh travelled along the borders in Punjab, North East and East India, and wrote about his experiences, and how people along the borders actually interact.
The lives of people are often quite different from how politicians imagine them to be and will always do well together - if left alone.
His observations are tight, and his style of writing is enjoyable.
This is a book well worth reading in these troubled times.
The lives of people are often quite different from how politicians imagine them to be and will always do well together - if left alone.
His observations are tight, and his style of writing is enjoyable.
This is a book well worth reading in these troubled times.
June 14, 2020
A different view on partition
I have been to Benapol once and to Wagha 20 times. The stories, the facts and the information is provided in this book by the author is tremendous. Some of the facts even I never knew. I loved the "West" chapter more than the "East" chapter. Great writting. If you want to know and understand what partition means actually, and how does it affect to locals, do read this novel
I have been to Benapol once and to Wagha 20 times. The stories, the facts and the information is provided in this book by the author is tremendous. Some of the facts even I never knew. I loved the "West" chapter more than the "East" chapter. Great writting. If you want to know and understand what partition means actually, and how does it affect to locals, do read this novel
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews