Although India got divided into two states, India and Pakistan on the same day, the neighboring country marks 14th of August as its independence day, while India celebrates its independence day on 15th of August. This has puzzled many and most of the youth are busy googgling the reason behind it. So, here we bring you the facts on why Pakistan celebrates its Independence Day one day prior to India.
Notably, the separate states of India and Pakistan were created at midnight on 15 August, 1947. But, both the country marks their independence on different days.
Reason one:
Pakistan celebrated its first independence day on 15 August. But a year later, it was advanced to 14 August. One of the reasons behind this is, British Viceroy, Lord Mountbatten. Mountbatten sought to transfer power to Pakistan on 14 August so that he could be present in Delhi to observe India’s first Independence Day celebrations. So, basically, the power was transferred to Pakistan on 14 August.
The other reason:
The other reason is related to beliefs. The neighboring country decided to celebrate its Independence Day on 14 August as 27 Ramadan, the auspicious date of the Islamic lunar calendar, coincided with it. So, the Pakistanis decided to celebrate their Independence Day a day prior to the actual date.
Reality:
However, 15 August is the actual Independence Day for both the country. The Indian Independence Act of 1947 reads, “As from the fifteenth day of August, nineteen hundred and forty-seven, two independent Dominions shall be set up in India, to be known respectively as India and Pakistan.”
Notably, Pakistan’s founding father, Muhammad Ali Jinnah had declared 15 August as the birthday of Pakistan. But the date was changed after his demise.
