Published Paper Details:

This paper explores the intersection of oral histories and literary representations of the 1947 Partition of India, focusing on how survivor testimonies enrich, complicate, and deepen our understanding of this traumatic event beyond conventional historical and fictional narratives. Drawing upon a series of original interviews conducted with Partition survivors now residing in Dehradun Uttarakhand, the study identifies key themes such as displacement and loss, gendered violence, fractured communal relations, struggles of resettlement, and resilience. These lived accounts are examined alongside prominent Partition literature including Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh, Basti by Intizar Husain, and Azadi by Chaman Nahal to highlight how fiction reflects and refracts real historical trauma. These dual narratives, factual and fictional, create a more holistic portrayal of Partition's impact, revealing complexities often flattened in political or historical discourse. The study argues that oral histories not only validate literary depictions but also challenge and nuance them by introducing real-world contradictions and moral ambiguities. Furthermore, the paper emphasizes the continuing relevance of these narratives in understanding communal relations and forced migration in contemporary contexts. As the global refugee crisis and identity-based conflicts persist, the testimonies of Partition survivors act as powerful reminders of both human fragility and resilience.