Cyril Radcliffe

Cyril Radcliffe was a British lawyer and judge who, in 1947, was tasked with drawing the borders between India and Pakistan during the partition. His role was to create boundaries quickly and objectively, based on religious and geo-political considerations, to minimize conflict. The division he oversaw resulted in significant upheaval, including mass migrations and violence. Radcliffe worked under tight deadlines and limited information, which has led to ongoing debates about the fairness and impact of his decisions. His work remains a pivotal and controversial part of South Asian history.