Partition and Human Suffering in the Fiction of Khushwant Singh
Keywords:
Partition, Human Suffering, Khushwant Singh, Train to Pakistan, Communal Violence.Abstract
This paper examines the representation of Partition and human suffering in the fiction of Khushwant Singh, with particular emphasis on his renowned novel Train to Pakistan. The study explores how Singh portrays the Partition of India in 1947 not merely as a political event but as a profound human tragedy marked by violence, displacement, trauma, and the collapse of communal harmony. Through realistic characterization and vivid narrative techniques, Singh depicts the experiences of ordinary people who become victims of religious fanaticism and political conflict. The paper analyzes major themes such as communal violence, forced migration, loss of identity, psychological trauma, and the resilience of human values amid chaos. It also highlights Singh’s humanistic vision, which emphasizes compassion, sacrifice, and moral courage in times of crisis. The study concludes that Singh’s fiction serves as a powerful literary testimony to the devastating consequences of Partition and its enduring impact on individual and collective memory.
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