When Courage And Compassion Trumped Religion: 12 Stories From The India-Pakistan Partition

Last Updated:August 15, 2025, 14:07 IST

1947 Partition: From the kulfi seller who whispered "don't fear" through gunfire to the soldier who sold jewelry to feed 14 families, ordinary people chose humanity over hatred

In this September 17, 1947 photo, Muslim refugees evacuated from areas of unrest in New Delhi take shelter in Purana Qila. (AP Photo)

The Partition of 1947 is often remembered through stories of bloodshed, displacement, and hatred. However, alongside these tragic events, there were many touching stories where Hindu and Muslim communities saved each other’s lives, honour, and homes. This Independence Day, let’s revisit some of those remarkable tales of human compassion that transcended religious boundaries.

The Guardian Soldier of Gurdaspur

When rioters came to attack Hindus in a small village near Gurdaspur, a Muslim soldier named Karim Khan was posted there. He stopped the mob with his weapon and hid 14 Hindu families in his house. For three days, he fed them by selling his wife’s jewellery. When the route to India became safe, he personally rode a horse to escort them to the border.

As they parted ways, an elderly Hindu woman said to him, “Son, you will always remain my son, no matter how big the border becomes."

The Rooftop Rescue in Lahore

When violence erupted in an old locality of Lahore, Muslim businessman Hakim Shafiq used a bamboo ladder from the roof of his mansion to pull up a Hindu family trapped in the street below. For two days, they all shared meals from the same stove. Hakim sahib later took them safely to Amritsar with his convoy.

For many years, the son of that Hindu family would travel to Pakistan annually to offer flowers at Hakim Shafiq’s grave.

The Kulfiwala’s Secret Protection

Rafiq Mian, a famous kulfi seller in Old Delhi’s Ballimaran, had a dear friend who was preparing to leave for Karachi during Partition. When riots broke out, Rafiq gave his friend’s family shelter in the back room of his house. Every night, when the sound of gunfire echoed through the streets, Rafiq would tap on their door and reassure them: “Brother, don’t be afraid—the kulfi waala is outside."

He kept the family safe for an entire week. When a train was finally arranged, he transported them to the station on his kulfi cart so no one would suspect anything.

The Shared Kitchen of Faizabad

In some villages of Uttar Pradesh’s Faizabad district, despite the surrounding riots, communities established a unique rule: the ‘shared chulha’ (shared kitchen). Every day, one house would prepare rotis while another made vegetables, and everyone would eat together. This system ensured that no one could identify which food came from which religion’s household. The village elders would reportedly say, “Religion builds walls, but roti breaks them down."

A Promise Sealed with Vermillion

The story goes that a Hindu couple in Karachi had to leave for India, but the woman was pregnant and the journey seemed too risky. Their Muslim neighbours, Imran and his wife, insisted: “Let the child be born first, then you can go."

After the woman safely delivered her baby and completed a full month of recovery, Imran arranged for them to travel to Bombay on his boat. As they departed, he touched the woman’s vermillion and said, “This colour should exist not only on your forehead but also in the trust between us."

The Dawn Rescue in Amritsar

A Muslim family in Amritsar found themselves surrounded by danger during Partition. Their Sikh friend, risking his own life, drove through deserted areas in the early morning hours to transport them to the railway station. He safely evacuated eight women from the family.

This rescue took place on a day when most trains were stained with blood—a personal memoir was later published in The Hindu newspaper.

Gandhi’s ‘Daughter’ in Noakhali

Bibi Amtus Salam, a Muslim social worker and follower of Mahatma Gandhi, played a crucial role in calming Hindu-Muslim riots in Bengal’s Noakhali district during the 1947 partition. She joined Gandhi in a 21-day fast and later led peace restoration efforts in the region. While her own family fled to Pakistan, she chose to remain in India, holding high the torch of brotherhood and peace. In Gandhi’s eyes, she was like a daughter to him.

The Neighbour’s Promise in Punjab

In a Punjab village where violence had erupted, a Hindu family was preparing to flee their home overnight. Their Muslim neighbour Abdul stopped them, saying, “You are like my brothers and sisters. No harm will come to you as long as I am here."

Abdul sheltered them in his house and protected them for several days until the situation stabilised. Even amid the tragedy of Partition, this neighbour became a symbol of unwavering trust.

Brotherhood on the Rails

Fear of attack loomed over a train traveling from Amritsar to Lahore. A Sikh youth named Harnam Singh noticed a Muslim woman traveling with her child, both terrified. He set down his sword and reassured her: “Bibi, don’t be afraid—you are my sister." He not only protected them throughout the journey but also ensured they reached Lahore safely. This act became a powerful example of brotherhood during that turbulent era.

The Shopkeeper’s Trust

Ramlal, a Hindu shopkeeper in Lahore, had to abandon his shop and flee to India. He entrusted the keys to his friend Muhammad Yusuf. Yusuf not only protected the shop from looters but, when Ramlal returned after Partition, handed back the entire establishment and all its goods intact. This friendship proved to be beyond the constraints of time and borders.

Strangers Turned Saviours

An elderly Muslim man in a refugee group traveling from Karachi to Delhi noticed a Hindu family suffering from hunger and thirst. He shared his rotis and water with them, saying, “We are all humans—religion cannot divide us." His simple act of kindness became a lifeline for that family.

Children’s Innocent Diplomacy

In a Punjab school where rumours of partition were spreading fear, a Hindu boy and his Muslim friend studied side by side. They made a pact to protect each other’s families. When violence escalated, both boys approached their respective communities and appealed for peace. Their innocent efforts reportedly helped reduce tensions in the village to some extent.

Other Acts of Courage

• Medical Heroes: Dr. Purushottam Dutt and his brother Dr. Narayan Dutt took up arms to protect Muslim patients in their hospital, successfully stopping a mob attack.
• The Protector of Amritsar: When riots erupted in Amritsar in June 1947, Baba Ghanshyam Singh hid and protected hundreds of Muslims in his residence.
• The Station Chief’s Shield: At Firozpur railway station, Station Chief Trilok Nath ensured the safety of 300 Muslims who had taken shelter in a nearby mosque, preventing attacks against them.

These stories remind us that even in humanity’s darkest hours, compassion, courage, and love can transcend the artificial boundaries that divide us. They stand as testament to the fact that individual acts of kindness, no matter how small, can illuminate the path toward hope and healing.

Nitya Thirumalai

Nitya Thirumalai, News Editor at News18.com, writes on Indian and global politics as well as Formula 1. She was Google News Initiative-Columbia Journalism School Fellow in the inaugural Newsroom Leadership Prog...Read More

Nitya Thirumalai, News Editor at News18.com, writes on Indian and global politics as well as Formula 1. She was Google News Initiative-Columbia Journalism School Fellow in the inaugural Newsroom Leadership Prog...

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August 15, 2025, 14:07 IST

News india When Courage And Compassion Trumped Religion: 12 Stories From The India-Pakistan Partition

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