British India came to an end 60 years ago, on August 14, 1947, at the stroke of midnight. In one bittersweet moment India gained independence. On that same day, the country was partitioned, the Muslim state of Pakistan came into being, and a violent shift of populations began. The end of British rule was abrupt; instead of allowing for gradual transition, Viceroy Mountbatten scheduled a mere 10 weeks for the change. After ruling much of India for 250 years, the British couldn’t get out fast enough. Their hasty exit created as many problems as their long occupation. The repercussions of that single tick of the clock are with us still.