How the British failed India and Pakistan

Every evening, a dramatic show takes place at the border between Pakistan and India.

It’s an over the top display of strength and nationalism from both sides.

But while this show-down is mostly ceremonial, the animosity between these two nuclear-armed

countries is very real.

A lot of this bitter rivalry can be traced back to when Pakistan and India were still

united under British rule. Back to this moment.

For nearly 200 years, the people of India lived under British rule.

At the time, dominant religious groups in the country included Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs.

The British colonized this large nation through a policy of "divide and rule" that pitted

these religious groups against each other. The strategy was that Indians would be busy

fighting each other — instead of British imperial rule.

But after decades of violence and oppression by the British, people found a reason to come

together: a movement for independence.

The British responded with brutality and violence. But eventually, the movement for independence

led to a decision that would create a political rift between Hindus and Muslims.

Britain passed the Government of India Act of 1935. It gave Indian provinces a new political

structure, while still under the authority of the British crown.

The act set up local governments with dedicated seats for representatives from religious groups

including: Hindus who got "general seats", along with Sikhs, and Muslims - or "Muhammadan".

Hindus and Muslims in particular had been at odds at other points in British India’s

history — but the act created even more division through assigned seats for religious groups.

It was all part of the British divide-and-rule strategy.