As the British Raj dissolved, the subcontinent was divided into two sovereign states based on religious majorities: a Hindu-majority India and a Muslim-majority Pakistan. The Punjab region was bisected along the Radcliffe Line:
This paper explores the complex question of "what nationality is Punjabi." It argues that "Punjabi" is primarily an ethno-linguistic and cultural identity rather than a singular national citizenship. By analyzing the historical geography of the Punjab region, the impact of the 1947 Partition, and the modern diaspora, this paper demonstrates that Punjabis do not belong to a single nation-state. Instead, they constitute a transnational people primarily divided between the sovereign states of India and Pakistan, with a significant global presence. what nationality is punjabi
Punjabis are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group native to the Punjab region of South Asia. This identity is shared regardless of the passport they carry. 2. Geographic Distribution As the British Raj dissolved, the subcontinent was