ABSTRACT
Some scholars of Indian history believe that Hindu–Muslims riots were a rare occurrence before the late 19th century; however, others have contested this. The country saw a new low in Hindu–Muslim relationships at the time of two major political issues — the Shah Bano case during the 1980s and the Babri Masjid–Ram Janmabhoomi dispute during the 1990s — that divided people from both communities and led to communal agitations. This chapter examines Hindu–Muslim riots and presents a systematic analysis of the spatial pattern of riots and its demographic correlates in urban areas. The demographic anxiety among Muslims of being overpowered by Hindus who were not only in a majority numerically in British India but also better educated than Muslims, was the most potent factor for the demand of the creation of Pakistan during the freedom struggle.
