Direct Action Day was the day the All-India Muslim League decided to take a "direct action" using general strikes and economic shut down to demand a separate Muslim homeland after the British exit from India. Also known as the 1946 Calcutta Riots and Great Calcutta Killings, it soon became a day of communal violence in Calcutta. It led to large-scale violence between Muslims and Hindus in the city of Calcutta in the Bengal province of British India. The day also marked the start of what is known as The Week of the Long Knives. While there is a certain degree of consensus on the magnitude of the killings, including their short-term consequences, controversy remains regarding the exact sequence of events, the various actors' responsibility and the long-term political consequences.
Mass riots in Kolkata begin; more than 4,000 people would be killed in 72 hours.
On August 16, in the year 1946, Mass riots in Kolkata begin; more than 4,000 people would be killed in 72 hours. This event is recorded as a Historical Events event in the history of August 16, one of 428 recorded events on this date across all of history.
Key Facts
- This event took place on August 16, 1946 (AD era).
- It is categorised as a Historical Events event in recorded history.
- Referenced in 2 Wikipedia articles.
- The event is associated with a specific geographical location (see map below).
- Wikipedia source last updated on 23 July 2026.
On This Date in History 428
This article draws on content from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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