THIS refers to Unknown articles-I by M.A.H. (Magazine, March 9, 2003). I would like to point out that it is not a fact that academicians of the country are not aware of the Spate’s articles.

I believe senior geographers of the country are not only familiar with the name but have also benefited from his writings, especially his book, a compendium, entitled India and Pakistan: A General and Regional Geography, 1954, reprinted 1964. The book is now considered a classic. A copy of this book adorns the rare books shelf in the library of Pakistan Institute of International Affairs Karachi.

Spate was invited by the Qadiani community to suggest a boundary between the proposed provinces of West Punjab and East Punjab that would make it possible to include Qadian, the holy city of Qadianis, in Pakistan. It is a known fact that the community enjoyed special favours of the British. That made it possible for Spate to become associated, of course unofficially, with Radcliffe’s team. On that occasion, he spent couple of months visiting different places in the undivided Punjab and elsewhere too.

As for his articles, which appeared in Geographical Review and Geographical Journal in 1943 and 1948, some of us, senior geographers, have had the occasion to peruse them. No doubt, they form part of the literature produced in the forties, that provides background information on the region most effected by Partition, especially the undivided Punjab and the undivided Bengal. However, they hardly provide insight into such serious issues as June 3 Plan or Radcliffe Award, or the basis for dispensation of the Princely States.

DR QAZI SHAKIL AHMED