Approximately 14 million to 18 million people, likely even more, moved during the partition of India, with a significant portion of those being Muslims migrating to Pakistan.
The mass migration following the partition of British India in 1947 was a chaotic and devastating event. The newly formed nations of India and Pakistan were created along religious lines, leading to widespread displacement. For Muslims living in regions that became part of India, Pakistan represented a safe haven. The migrations were often hasty, poorly planned, and accompanied by violence and immense suffering.
While precise figures are difficult to ascertain due to the nature of the event and the lack of comprehensive record-keeping at the time, the generally accepted estimate falls within the 14 to 18 million range. This encompasses people moving both to and from the newly formed countries; specifically, it refers to the movement of Muslims toward Pakistan and Hindus and Sikhs toward India. Given the turmoil and the sheer scale of the population movement, the actual number may well have exceeded this estimate.
