The Box, the Fish, and Lost Homes

Abstract

The Partition of 1947 is a seminal episode in the history of the Indian subcontinent. Partition is still a living reality; it continues to defi ne the everydayness of lives in the partitioned states. Memory is an important topic in the fi eld of Partition Studies: the act of remembering and the subject of remembrance illuminate our understanding of Partition in more ways than one. Personal memories hold special signifi cance in this regard. Th is article comprises two personal memory pieces on the cascading eff ects of Partition in individuals’ lives. Th e fi rst story is a retelling of my grandmother’s experience of displacement and her subsequent relocation in newly formed India. Th e story brings forth memories associated with her wedding jewelry box, which she brought with her across the border. Th e second story focuses on the life experiences of my domestic helper, a second generation recipient of Partition memories.