Which of the following inferences is most strongly supported by the following lines taken from the novel written by Khushwant Singh?

"The older people wait for its rumble over the bridge to lull them to slumber. Then life in Mano Majra is stilled, save for the dogs barking at the trains that pass in the night.

It had always been so, until the summer of 1947."

Correct option is B

Explanation:

In this excerpt from Khushwant Singh’s Train to Pakistan, the mention of life being "still" in Mano Majra, until the summer of 1947, strongly implies that something significant happened during this period to disrupt the usual tranquility of the village. The reference to the summer of 1947 is likely pointing to the Partition of India, which had a profound impact on the lives of millions, including the residents of Mano Majra. The Partition of India led to mass violence, migration, and the creation of a divided nation, which deeply affected communities. This historical event would have caused a dramatic shift in the lives of the characters, making Option 2 the correct inference.

Information Booster:

Khushwant Singh was an Indian author, journalist, and lawyer. Train to Pakistan (1956) is one of his most celebrated works, set during the turbulent times of India's Partition in 1947.

The novel takes place in the village of Mano Majra, situated near the border of India and Pakistan. It deals with the human toll of the Partition, focusing on the intercommunal violence and the moral dilemmas faced by people during that period.

The Significance of 1947:

• The summer of 1947 refers to the year of India's Partition, when the country was divided into India and Pakistan along religious lines. This event caused mass displacement, violence, and the division of families.
• The novel reflects the psychological and physical scars left by the Partition on those living in border areas like Mano Majra. The peaceful existence of the village is shattered as the village is caught between the violence of the time.
• The "rumble over the bridge" that once lulls the villagers to sleep symbolizes a peaceful life, which is interrupted by the tragic events of 1947. The line hints at unspoken changes that take place in the wake of this historic event.
• The plot revolves around the personal and social upheaval caused by Partition. It focuses on characters like Iqbal, a Sikh man from Lahore, and Nooran, a Muslim girl, whose lives are caught in the complex web of political, religious, and social tensions during the time of Partition.
• One of the central themes of the novel is the conflict between religion and humanity, as it addresses the brutality of Partition and the human cost of communal violence.

Impact of 1947 on Mano Majra:

• Before 1947, Mano Majra is depicted as a peaceful and harmonious village where Sikhs and Muslims live together without major conflict. The train rumbling over the bridge is a daily, peaceful occurrence.
  
• However, 1947 brings disruption, as communal violence, displacement, and the forced migration of populations lead to a transformation in the village's social fabric.
  
• The Partition forces the villagers to confront hatred and separation, dramatically shifting the once harmonious lives in Mano Majra.