1946 Bihar riots

The 1946 Bihar riots were a series of communal riots that erupted in Bihar, India, predominantly between the Hindu and Muslim communities, starting in late October 1946 and escalating into November. The violence was precipitated by rising tensions stemming from the political climate of the time, particularly the ongoing struggle for Indian independence and the intensifying demand for Pakistan by the Muslim League. The riots resulted in significant loss of life, with estimates of casualties ranging from several hundred to thousands, alongside widespread arson and destruction of property. The violence highlighted the deep-seated communal animosities and played a pivotal role in shaping communal relations in post-colonial India, foreshadowing the larger-scale communal violence that would accompany the partition of India in 1947.