BAB - E - UMEED

Abstract

73 years ago, a part of land carved out of India lead to a horrendous separation that left deep scars on the two major countries. Muslims on the side of India set out to cross the border into Pakistan, and many were hence killed. Around more than 14 million people attempted to cross in both directions, resulting in the largest mass migration in human history. The number of dead varies, but more than one million people are believed to have been killed on the basis of faith. Memories of the traumatic formation of Pakistan are fading into nothing as survivors age and pass away. People on both sides of the border, alongside activists, historians and people on line are working to preserve the first-hand experiences of families torn apart, reunited or otherwise affected by the brutal segregation of these states. Hence, this thesis is about making a walkthrough museum/memorial that would still evoke the feelings of that day and it would make the people of today feel firsthand what our grand/parents went through to come to Pakistan, and preserve those moments and occurrences of history. The museum will not be like a typical conventional museum, but be more like the bare truth. As the museum will be part of commemorative architecture, it will reflect the brutality of cruelty and war rather than repressing it. It shall be viewed as an emblem of hope rather than despair. The past shall be preserved while those who experienced it are still alive to tell the stories, so that future generations can better understand how their borderlands became so volatile and also understand the hardships, trauma, sacrifices alongside the hope and positivity that comes along with it