1947 Rawalpindi massacres

The 1947 Rawalpindi massacres were a series of violent communal riots that occurred in Rawalpindi, British India, from March 2 to March 4, 1947, amidst the escalating tensions leading to the partition of India. The violence predominantly targeted the local Muslim population, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 individuals, along with widespread destruction of property and homes. The riots were sparked by disputes between Hindu and Muslim communities, exacerbated by political instability and societal divisions. The tragic events highlighted the profound sectarian strife present at the time and served as a precursor to the larger scale communal violence that would accompany the partition later that year.