Book review: Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh

Recently I read this book by Khushwant Singh. I read this book because I was interested in understanding the partition and its consequences in-depth, also this was my first book from the charismatic writer Khuswant Singh. I deeply got fascinated with his way of writing and putting things in front of readers. it was like that I was present in plots and seeing what is happening. and especially this thing helps in making interest throughout the whole book.

So, let’s get started, this book rounds about a village at the border area between India and newly born Pakistan Mano Majra and describes the time just after when India gained its independence with its partition. How the innocent people who were even unaware of what is happening around them were forcefully subjected to the worst consequences of the partition, all their unity in the village, all their trust in their neighbors was like thrown out by a ghastly storm in just a night.

Briefly talking this book starts from the scene of a village in which peoples of different religions mainly Sikhs and Muslims live as brothers. there is no animosity between them even they are ready to give their lives for the protection of others. but one day a ghost train came from Pakistan and changed everything. the ones who were ready to give life were now looking for the opportunity to take lives of the same brothers of a different religion.

Just like a silent killer this book swiftly touches on various aspects of the Indian society of that time. like, Literally how innocent and pure-hearted people of that time were… the affection and love with which villagers offer hospitality to a stranger touch the beats of the heart. while describing the events taking place in Mano Majra Khushwant Ji described how the cast division has completely taken the minds of people at that time and to what level civil authorities are responsible for whatever happens in the society.

So, simply covering the immediate results of the partition this book covers various other aspects which will be very helpful in engaging you throughout the book, especially while describing various unwanted events of mass killing, massacre, and hatred taking place and also in understanding and feeling the real beats of Indian heart.

If you want to explore the impacts of partition on the general public of India and Pakistan, then it’s a must-read book for you. and you are certainly going to enjoy this masterpiece.