Social media — All about entertainment.

Unveiling Generation Z's Accounts of the Partition History

Investigative enthusiasts delve into the consequences sparked by the British retreat in 1947, which instigated the formation of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

, and ASMedia

2025 September 2 . 6:39 PM

2 min read

Experience the reinterpretation of the Partition's events by the youth of Generation Z

Unveiling Generation Z's Accounts of the Partition History

In the realm of social media, TikTok has emerged as a powerful platform for educating and reinterpreting the history of the 1947 Partition of India. Young creators, often hobbyist historians, are using the platform to engage a global audience, challenging established narratives and shedding light on the human and political impact of Partition.

Rida Ali, a 25-year-old historian based in New York, is one such example. Ali has dedicated TikTok videos to explaining the arbitrary drawing of borders by the British, particularly Cyril Radcliffe, which sparked long-term consequences rarely taught thoroughly in schools. By harnessing TikTok’s format, these creators are able to reach a wide audience, enabling a form of historical decolonization and more inclusive storytelling that resonates with younger generations' desire for a deeper understanding about this foundational event of South Asian history.

The Partition of India and Pakistan, a complex event marked by violence and forced migration, has left a profound impact on South Asia. Approximately 15 million people were forced to migrate, with violence leaving an estimated one to two million dead. The decisions made by Radcliffe unleashed severe consequences for around 390 million people living in India, West Pakistan, and East Pakistan, which is now Bangladesh.

The history of the division of Bengal between India and modern-day Bangladesh is often less prominent than the bifurcation of Punjab in existing Partition narratives. However, the Rohingya man, inspired by Dalrymple's book tour, plans to connect with Burmese friends to film and show landscapes remembered by the diaspora, highlighting this often overlooked aspect of Partition history.

TikTok is not the only platform where the history of Partition is being reimagined. Ishy Din, a separate Q&A, discussed the generational trauma that came from the partition of India, while Project Dastaan, founded in 2018, uses virtual reality to connect people who migrated during Partition with the homes they left behind.

Moreover, the National Trust is exploring its Islamic history, and the British determined the borders of the new nations, ignoring the concerns of minorities such as Sikhs, Christians, and Buddhists. The Rohingya man's project, Project Dastaan, and the work of historians like Rida Ali are examples of a new generation's efforts to reclaim and reinterpret the Partition narrative, making it more accessible, personalized, and relevant.

In a world where politics can be divisive and complex, understanding the history of Partition is crucial. TikTok, with its engaging and accessible content, is playing a significant role in helping a new generation grasp the nuanced realities of Partition, including its effects on minority communities and the geopolitics of South Asia.

[1] TikTok and the Reinterpretation of Partition History [2] Rida Ali's TikTok Channel [3] Project Dastaan [4] The role of Muslim soldiers in liberating Europe from the Nazis