Partition, Property, and Biraderi: Refugee Settlement and Social Restructuring in Nankana Sahib

Abstract

This study examines the migration and refugee settlement process in Nankana Sahib following the Partition of Punjab in 1947. It explores the demographic transformation of the town after the large-scale departure of its Sikh and Hindu population and the subsequent arrival of Muslim refugees from East Punjab. Particular attention is given to the administration of evacuee property, the role of local Muslim communities, and the contribution of Muslim League workers in facilitating refugee rehabilitation. Unlike many regions of Punjab where abandoned properties became a source of violent conflict and widespread looting, evidence from Nankana Sahib suggests that local Muslims generally refrained from appropriating evacuee property, considering it the legitimate entitlement of incoming refugees. The study argues that this attitude, together with organized local assistance, eased the settlement process and contributed to maintaining social stability during a period of profound upheaval. By examining the experience of Nankana Sahib, the article highlights the significance of local social values, political organization, and community participation in shaping patterns of refugee resettlement and post-Partition reconstruction.

Keywords: Partition of Punjab (1947), Nankana Sahib, Refugee Settlement, Migration