The mass riots in Kolkata were fueled by growing tensions surrounding the partition of India and the demand for a separate Muslim state, which would later become Pakistan. The situation escalated dramatically when the Muslim League called for 'Direct Action Day' to assert its claim for Pakistan, which incited violent confrontations between Hindus and Muslims in the city. As emotions ran high, rioting ensued, leading to horrific violence across the metropolis. Businesses were destroyed, and communities were left shattered in the wake of the violence.

The events of these crucial days involved significant brutality, with reports of killings, arson, and widespread fear. Refugees flooded into safer areas as many tried to escape the chaos. The local police struggled to control the situation, and the military was eventually called in to restore order. The communal violence was not restrained to Kolkata; it echoed the broader tensions across the subcontinent, as the impending partition was looming closer. The riots marked one of the darkest periods in the lead-up to India's independence, illustrating the severe societal fractures based on religion.

In the aftermath, the riots left lasting scars on communal relations in the city and beyond. It became evident that as India moved toward independence, the communal question remained unresolved. The legacy of the riots would continue to influence Hindu-Muslim relations in India, setting the stage for further communal violence in the years to follow.