Khushwant Singh’s Train to Pakistan recounts the event of the Partition of India, which happened in 1947. Set in a fictional village of Mano Majra, the novel aims to depict the cultural and political clash between the Sikhs, Hindus, and Muslims and, by following the development of the characters, unveil the moral of humanity. Throughout the novel, Singh portrays the experience of conflict that each character, including Juggut Singh, Iqbal Singh, and Hukum Chand, has to deal with. Based on the characters’ development, Singh’s goal is to present the idea that love always conquers the power of violence and ethnic antagonism.
Singh starts off with a description of the Partition and of Mano Majra, a habitat for Sikhs, Hindus, and Muslims. Even though there are differences in religious belief, the groups live in harmony; it is not until the arrival of the ghost trains which are filled with bodies of Sikhs and Hindus that brings disturbance to the peace of the village (117). Singh reminds the readers that the “Muslims said the Hindus had started the killing. According to the Hindus, the Muslims were to blame. The fact is, both sides killed” (1). In this case, the train symbolizes the collapse of alliance between the Muslims and the Sikhs; the once peaceful coexistence of both sides has now been persisted by ethnic antagonism.
When dealing with experiences of conflict, some people face moral dilemma but can do nothing for a change. Iqbal Singh is a well-educated Sikh recently