Previous Year Question
Radcliffe line defines boundary between
North Korea and South Korea
U.S.A. and Canada
India and Pakistan
India and China
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Solution
The Radcliffe Line was determined during the Partition of India in 1947 to demarcate the boundary between India and the newly created Pakistan.
It was named after Sir Cyril Radcliffe, who served as Chairman of both the Punjab Boundary Commission and the Bengal Boundary Commission.
The main task of these commissions was to determine boundaries for dividing undivided Punjab and Bengal between India and Pakistan.
India and Pakistan became independent on 15 and 14 August 1947 respectively, while the final boundaries were announced on 17 August 1947.
At Partition, the Radcliffe boundary separated India and West Pakistan in the west and India and East Pakistan in the east. After East Pakistan became Bangladesh in 1971, the eastern section became the basis of the India-Bangladesh international boundary.
North Korea–South Korea → division around the 38th Parallel
U.S.A.–Canada → a large part of the boundary is associated with the 49th Parallel
India–China → McMahon Line is associated with the eastern sector