The Necklace That Divided Two Nations

Seventy years ago, India and Pakistan became independent nations - but at a cost. People and lands were partitioned, and a once shared heritage was broken apart. Kanishk Tharoor explores artefacts and landmarks that were caught up in the events around 1947.

Part one looks at the tussle for ancient history, including the prized artefacts of the Indus Valley civilization. There was a bureaucratic saga over the fates of the priest-king, the dancing girl, and the jade necklace so precious to both India and Pakistan that neither country could let the other have it whole. And in part two, the conflict in Kashmir told through the life and times of a burnt-out movie theatre - Srinagar’s Palladium cinema.

Produced by Maryam Maruf

Contributors: Maruf Khwaja; Saroj Mukherji; Vazira Fazila-Yacoubali Zamindar, Brown University; Sudeshna Guha, Shiv Nadar University; Krishna Mishri; Imtiyaz; and Neerja Mattoo

With thanks to Anwesha Sengupta, Institute of Development Studies Kolkata; and Andrew Whitehead

Image: The Mohenjo Daro jade necklace that was cut in two. India's share on the left, Pakistan's share on the right. Credit: Archaeological Survey of India and Getty Images