From 1858 to 1947, the British ruled India. In the aftermath of World War II, Britain agreed not just to grant India's independence, but to carve from India a separate country, Pakistan, for its Muslim population. This partition sparked one of the largest mass migrations in history. It also sparked terrible violence, particularly along the new border. Indeed, historians estimate that between 250,000 and 500,000 people were killed in the conflict. This necessary book tells the story of India's partition and of the people affected by it.