The Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is not immediately associated with the Partition of 1947. Yet western districts of the state were afflicted by immigration and emigration, violence and disorder. This had wider social and economic ramifications. This paper focuses on reactions to incoming refugees and responses to the departure of local Muslims in Uttar Pradesh. The reactions of the state government, Congress Party and Hindu right to the Partition crisis are also analysed. With this in mind, some tentative questions are asked about the nature of communalism and secularism in the immediate post-independence years. © 2003 Taylor and Francis Ltd.

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Uttar Pradesh Eurasia refugee historical geography India twentieth century South Asia social conflict Asia immigrant population