In 1947, British India was partitioned into India and the newly created country of Pakistan. The division ended British rule and produced two independent dominions: the Dominion of India and the Dominion of Pakistan.
Pakistan was established as a homeland for many of British India’s Muslims, following the Muslim League’s demand for a separate state under Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The partition divided the provinces of Punjab and Bengal, as well as government institutions, armed forces, railways, civil services, and financial assets. Sir Cyril Radcliffe chaired the boundary commissions that drew the new borders.
Pakistan initially consisted of two geographically separate regions: West Pakistan and East Pakistan, with India lying between them. East Pakistan became the independent country of Bangladesh after the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. This is why some people mistakenly answer Bangladesh when asked about the country created by the 1947 partition; Bangladesh emerged later from Pakistan, not directly in 1947.
The transfer of power took place in August 1947, amid enormous communal violence and refugee movements. Estimates vary, but roughly 12 to 20 million people were displaced, making the partition one of the largest forced migrations in modern history.