History · Spectrum Books A Brief History of Modern India
Chapter 25 : Independence with Partition
Table of contents24 sections
- 1.Independence with Partition
- 2.Attlee's Statement of February 20, 1947
- 3.Main Points of Attlee's Statement
- 4.Why a Date Fixed by Government for Withdrawal
- 5.Congress' Stand
- 6.Key Terms
- 7.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 8.Independence and Partition
- 9.Mountbatten as the Viceroy
- 10.Plan Balkan (March - May 1947)
- 11.Mountbatten Plan (June 3, 1947)
- 12.Indian Independence Act, 1947
- 13.Problems of Early Withdrawal
- 14.Integration of States
- 15.Historiographical Perspectives on Independence
- 16.Key Terms
- 17.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 18.Inevitability of Partition
- 19.Why Congress Accepted Partition
- 20.Gandhi's Helplessness
- 21.Quotes on Partition and Independence
- 22.Key Terms
- 23.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 24.Quick-Recall Box
Chapter preview
Independence with Partition
Things moved at a fast pace in 1947. It seemed as if Britain was most anxious to get rid of India (once its most prized possession) as soon as possible. From Attlee's statement in February to India's independence in August, it was just a matter of seven months. Unfortunately, independence came with the bloodbath of partition.
Attlee's Statement of February 20, 1947
Sensing trouble all around, British Prime Minister Clement Attlee made an announcement in the British House of Commons on February 20, 1947, declaring the British intention of leaving the Indian subcontinent.
Main Points of Attlee's Statement
| Provision | Details |
|---|---|
| Deadline | A fixed deadline of June 30, 1948 for the transfer of power, even if Indian politicians had not agreed on a constitution by that time. |
| Transfer of Power | Power would be relinquished either to some form of central government OR in some areas to the existing provincial governments if the constituent assembly was not fully representative (i.e., if Muslim majority provinces did not join). |
| Princely States | British powers and obligations vis-a-vis the princely states would lapse with the transfer of power, but these would not be transferred to any successor government in British India. |
| Viceroy Change | Lord Mountbatten would replace Lord Wavell as the viceroy. |
- Significance: The statement contained clear hints of partition and even Balkanisation of the country into numerous states. In essence, it was a reversion of the Cripps Offer.
Why a Date Fixed by Government for Withdrawal
The British government fixed a date because it:
- Hoped the fixed date would shock the parties into an agreement on the main question.
- Was keen to avert the developing constitutional crisis.
- Hoped to convince the Indians of British sincerity.
- Could no longer deny the truth in Wavell's assessment that an irreversible decline of the government's authority had taken place.
Congress' Stand
- Acceptance of Multiple Centres: The provision of transfer of power to more than one centre was acceptable to the Congress because it meant the existing assembly could go ahead and frame a constitution for the areas represented by it, offering a way…
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View plans Chapter 26 : Constitutional, Administrative, and Judicial Developments