Hemant Shetty
Independent Researcher
Karnataka, India
Abstract
The 1947 Partition of British India stands as one of the most cataclysmic events in South Asian history, uprooting millions and reshaping social, political, and economic landscapes. Among those profoundly affected were artisan communities—skilled craftspeople whose livelihoods depended on stable patronage, intergenerational knowledge transmission, and the continuity of local markets. In both Punjab and Bengal, artisans engaged in diverse trades—from the intricate weaving of Phulkari textiles and metalwork in Punjab to the storied silk weaving and terracotta craftsmanship of Bengal. This study offers an in-depth examination of how Partition-induced violence, mass displacement, and subsequent state policies disrupted these traditional craft economies. Drawing on extensive archival research, oral-history interviews with 45 artisan families, and survey data from 120 households, the manuscript details the immediate losses of property and patronage networks, the varied rehabilitation measures implemented by postcolonial authorities, and the adaptive strategies that artisans adopted to rebuild their trades. The analysis reveals that Punjabi artisans, forced into hastily constructed refugee colonies, faced severe material deprivation and struggled to reestablish supply chains, resulting in a recovery of only about 60% of pre-Partition income levels by 1960. In Bengal, while initial dislocations were significant, proximity to Kolkata’s port and a more integrated urban resettlement framework enabled a relatively faster rebound, with artisans regaining up to 72% of their former earnings. Yet, both regions have witnessed long-term declines in intergenerational skill transmission and mounting challenges from mechanization and globalized markets. By illuminating the resilience and vulnerabilities of Partition-era artisan communities, this study underscores the critical need for targeted heritage-craft policies, cooperative network support, and market-access initiatives to sustain traditional crafts in contemporary South Asia.
Keywords
Partition, Artisans, Punjab, Bengal, Displacement, Craft Economy
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