Minder Kaur

Before Partition, Minder Kaur was living in a village known as Rajo Ke in Tehsil Daska, District Sialkot. Her father was a farmer and her grandfather was the caretaker of the local gurudwara. She did not go to school due to social disturbances around the time of Partition. Before Partition, communities were living cooperatively together, engaged in their own occupations, Minder Kaur remembers. When violence began to take place in the area, many people started to talk about migrating, but most of them did not wish to leave their home. They hoped that they would come back when the situation was under control. When her father decided that the family would leave the village, a hole was dug in the floor of the house and all household items were placed inside and buried. Minder Kaur’s grandfather did not agree to go with them because he did not want to leave his home.
Minder Kaur, along with her father and other family, moved into a nearby camp. While they were there, a person from her village told them that her grandfather had been killed by mobs. Upon learning this, the family was in deep grief. After this news, they decided to join the migration across the border and began their journey. On the way, Minder Kaur observed much violence. One incident stands out in her mind: one day, she saw a young girl being kidnapped by a man. The girl had a small pillow in her hand, which the man took and threw away. Minder Kaur heard the girl ask, “If you want to bring me with you, then why did you throw my pillow away?” After reaching India, Minder Kaur’s family experienced many struggles. They eventually settled in Malerkotla, in Punjab. There, she was married to her husband who is from Badeshe in Malerkotla.