Remnants of Partition: 21 Objects from a Continent Divided

Aanchal Malhotra's book, Remnants of Partition, explores the emotional and traumatic impact of the Partition through the possessions saved by her great-grandparents. It reveals the hidden family stories within these items and uncovers a rich tapestry of pain, rupture, and hope. The book gives voice to the voiceless and restores the everyday to a significant drama of the twentieth century.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 440 pages
Publication date: 12 August 2021
Publisher: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd

The Partition's emotional and traumatic impact is buried deep within history, yet Aanchal Malhotra has discovered a remarkable way to recover and uncover its secrets. Through the possessions saved by her own great-grandparents as they fled their homes, she delves into the unique power of these objects: to unlock the mysteries of a colossal human migration and a life that once existed.

Remnants of Partition is a captivating alternative history that weaves together the family stories hidden within the items carried between the newly formed India and Pakistan during the tumultuous period of partition. Through their exploration, they uncover a rich tapestry of pain and rupture, as well as moments of hope and connection.

This extraordinary book gives voice to the voiceless, restoring the everyday to the grand drama of the twentieth century. From a string of pearls to a young woman's poetry, it captures the essence of the human experience during this period of immense change. Its power and poignancy will haunt the reader long after they have turned the last page.

Shortlisted for the prestigious British Academy's 2019 Al-Rodhan Prize, A Hindustan Times India @ 70 book, Shortlisted for the Hindu Lit for Life Non-Fiction Prize, and Shortlisted for the Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay NIF Book Prize, Remnants of Partition is a testament to Aanchal Malhotra's talent as a historian and storyteller.

Weight: 612g
Dimension: 175 x 231 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781787386037