6 Sacred Grounds Once Ours: What India Lost to Pakistan in Partition

The Partition of India in 1947 was not just a political division—it was a brutal separation of culture, history, and sacred lands. The moment the Radcliffe Line was drawn, millions were forced to leave their homes, their livelihoods, and their ancestors’ sacred shrines. While India retained some key cities and sites, many were lost to the newly-formed Pakistan. These sacred lands were not merely geographical spaces—they were the lifeblood of Indian identity, home to poets, scholars, and spiritual leaders. Here are six of those sacred grounds that India lost forever, now resting across the borderin Pakistan. Lahore, once a jewel in India’s cultural crown, was home to some of the most prominent poets and intellectuals of pre-Partition India. The city was the birthplace of Allama Iqbal, widely considered the spiritual father of Pakistan, yet during British India, Lahore was also a thriving center of literature, art, and history for both Hindus and Muslims.

The city hosted several intellectuals like Faiz Ahmed Faiz, who would later become Pakistan’s national poet. Lahore’s vibrant streets were also home to famous Hindu poet, Narayani Devi, whose work transcended religious boundaries. Before Partition, Lahore was known for its bustling markets, historic forts, and literary gatherings. However, with the arrival of Partition, the city was split, and Hindus and Sikhs fled in droves, leaving behind their ancestral homes. The Partition saw bloodshed and the erasure of their presence in Lahore, turning the city into a Pakistani stronghold while India lost this cultural and intellectual hub.
For Sikhs, Nankana Sahib holds immense significance—it is the birthplace of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. Before Partition, Nankana Sahib, located in what is now Pakistan, was a sacred place for millions of Sikhs in India. The Guru’s teachings of equality, love, and community were embodied in this peaceful town, which was home to grand gurdwaras that stood as symbols of Sikh spirituality and culture.

However, when the Partition unfolded, Nankana Sahib fell on the wrong side of the border. The city witnessed severe violence as Sikhs and Hindus were forced to leave, abandoning their holy sites. The sacred gurdwara became a symbol of loss for India, representing not just the land but a deep spiritual connection severed forever. Today, the gurdwara remains in Pakistan, a symbol of what India lost—a birthplace of a spiritual revolution and a key element of its cultural identity.
Sialkot, now a part of Pakistan, is a city that held immense cultural and historical value to India. The city was the birthplace of Lala Lajpat Rai, one of India’s prominent freedom fighters. Known as the “Lion of Punjab,” Lajpat Rai’s contribution to the Indian independence movement was invaluable. In addition to its role in India’s freedom struggle, Sialkot was also home to a thriving manufacturing industry that produced some of the finest crafts and textiles.

When Partition came, the city was left divided. Sialkot became part of Pakistan, and in the chaos, Hindu and Sikh families were forced to flee, leaving their homes and legacies behind. As families crossed the border, they abandoned businesses, homes, and their beloved land, a place rich with history, culture, and a deep connection to India’s freedom struggle. The city, once a cradle of resistance and heritage, was now just a memory for millions on the other side of the border.
Multan, known as the “City of Saints,” was a historical and spiritual center in pre-Partition India. It housed some of the oldest temples, mosques, and shrines, attracting people from different religious communities. Multan was home to many revered saints, including Bulleh Shah, a Sufi poet whose teachings transcended religious boundaries.

Before Partition, Multan was a thriving city where Hindu, Sikh, and Muslim communities lived in harmony. However, when Partition divided the land, Multan became a part of Pakistan. The city’s sacred shrines, including those dedicated to Hindu gods, were left behind, their future uncertain. The Sikh community, in particular, suffered a profound loss as they had to leave behind places of worship and cultural heritage. The violence that ensued caused untold suffering as families fled, with many of the sacred sites being desecrated in the aftermath.
Karachi was once a booming port city in British India, known for its cosmopolitan atmosphere and economic significance. Home to influential business families, intellectuals, and artists, the city was a melting pot of cultures and religions. Famous figures like Fatima Jinnah, a key figure in India’s independence struggle, and Jamshed Nusserwanji Mehta, one of the city's first pioneers, called Karachi home. The city’s seaport made it a critical commercial hub for India, and it boasted a wealth of industries.

But when the Partition line was drawn, Karachi became part of Pakistan, and India lost its access to this thriving metropolis. The city was no longer a part of the Indian subcontinent’s economic engine. The rich cultural and intellectual life in Karachi was now relegated to Pakistan, leaving behind deep scars of loss. The millions of people who once called Karachi home—many of whom migrated to India—left behind businesses, memories, and a city that was synonymous with India’s modernization.
The most emotionally charged land lost in Partition was Jammu and Kashmir, a region of immense spiritual and cultural significance. Known for its breathtaking landscapes, Jammu and Kashmir was once an integrated part of India’s heritage, with Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist communities coexisting peacefully. The beautiful Shankaracharya Temple, Hazratbal Shrine, and the Vaishno Devi Shrine symbolized the region’s deep connection to India’s spiritual legacy.

However, when Partition divided the subcontinent, the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir became a flashpoint. The state’s ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh, initially wanted to remain independent, but as violence erupted, he sought refuge in India. The region was subsequently divided, with India controlling the Jammu region and Pakistan taking control of Kashmir. The region has been a source of ongoing conflict ever since, with the people of Jammu and Kashmir continuing to bear the consequences of this partitioned legacy.

The sacred lands lost in Partition are more than just geographical territories—they are symbolic of a deeper cultural and spiritual divide. While history is marked by conflict, the question that remains unanswered is, what if the pain of Partition never happened? What if, instead of boundaries being drawn in blood, India and Pakistan had managed to rise together, side by side? Would the lands we lost have blossomed into symbols of unity rather than symbols of separation?

Would the cities of Lahore, Karachi, and Multan have remained hubs of cultural fusion, with their streets echoing with stories of peace, shared heritage, and collective dreams? Could the people from both nations have created a world where sacred sites like Nankana Sahib and the holy shrines of Jammu and Kashmir belonged to all, without division? What if the scars of Partition never marred the faces of history?