A Compelling Tale of the Horrors of Partition
Set as a romantic story in the turbulent times of the partition of India and Pakistan, Train to Pakistan is a vivid, powerful story. It asks compelling moral questions, at the same time displaying the corruption of the society at that time and horrors of the partition.
In the small village in Punjab that Kushwant Singh creates, there is a gripping tension and uncertainty as the world around it gets entangled in the horrors of the partition. However, all is quiet in the village where Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims have lived peacefully till now. But an unscheduled stop made by the east-bound train coming from Pakistan changes all that. As the villagers realize that the train is full of corpses, things start to turn violent.
At the same time, the government also announces that a train will be sent into Pakistan with all the Muslim families. As the families prepare to leave, the Hindus plan revenge. Ultimately, Jugga, whose beloved is traveling in the train tries everything to save her.
The book brings to light in full force the horrors of the largest and bloodiest migration in human history. The story is compelling and is beautifully written, at the same time is morally hard-hitting. A must read.
