Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh: Significance of the arrival of the train

Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh

(Significance of the arrival of the train)

Q. Comment on the significance of the arrival of the train in Khushwant Singh’s Train to Pakistan.

Answer: The arrival of the train in Khushwant Singh's 'Train to Pakistan' is a significant event that marks a turning point in the novel. The train, which is carrying refugees fleeing the violence of Partition, is a symbol of hope and salvation for the characters in the novel. However, it is also a symbol of the violence and trauma that accompanies the creation of nation-states and the drawing of borders.

One of the key themes of the novel is the impact of Partition on the lives of ordinary people. The train represents the physical and emotional displacement that people experienced during Partition. The refugees on the train are forced to leave their homes, families, and communities behind and start anew in an unfamiliar and often hostile environment. The arrival of the train, therefore, marks the moment when the characters in the novel begin to confront the full reality of what has happened to them and their country.

In addition, the train also represents the failure of the political leadership to protect its citizens. The train is overcrowded, and the refugees are forced to endure terrible conditions during their journey. The train is a symbol of the neglect and indifference that the political leadership showed towards the people affected by Partition. The arrival of the train, therefore, marks the moment when the characters in the novel begin to understand the extent of the betrayal they have suffered at the hands of their leaders.

Furthermore, the train also symbolizes the violent and traumatic nature of Partition itself. The train is the site of some of the most brutal and horrific violence in the novel. The refugees on the train are attacked and killed by mobs of Hindus and Muslims, who are determined to eradicate the other community. The train, therefore, represents the destructive force of identity politics and the violence that it can unleash.

Overall, the arrival of the train in 'Train to Pakistan' is a significant event that marks a turning point in the novel. The train is a symbol of hope and salvation for the refugees, but it is also a symbol of the violence and trauma that accompanies the creation of nation-states and the drawing of borders. The train represents the physical and emotional displacement of the refugees, the failure of the political leadership to protect its citizens, and the violent and traumatic nature of Partition itself.

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