Modern India — Independence With Partition
1. Attlee's Statement (February 1947)
Context: In February 1947, British Prime Minister Clement Attlee made a historic announcement declaring Britain's intention to leave India, setting a firm deadline for the transfer of power.
- Clement Attlee, the British Prime Minister, made an announcement on February 20, 1947, declaring the British intention to leave the Indian subcontinent.
- Set a deadline of June 30, 1948, for the transfer of power, irrespective of the Indian politicians' agreement on the constitution.
- Powers and obligations concerning princely states would lapse with the transfer of power, without transferring to any successor government in British India.
- Lord Mountbatten would replace Lord Wavell as the viceroy.
Key Features of Attlee's Statement (February 20, 1947):
- Announced By: Prime Minister Clement Attlee
- Deadline: June 30, 1948 for transfer of power
- Princely States: Powers and obligations would lapse
- New Viceroy: Lord Mountbatten replaced Lord Wavell
- Significance: Firm commitment to Indian independence with a fixed timeline
- Announced By: Prime Minister Clement Attlee
- Deadline: June 30, 1948 for transfer of power
- Princely States: Powers and obligations would lapse
- New Viceroy: Lord Mountbatten replaced Lord Wavell
- Significance: Firm commitment to Indian independence with a fixed timeline
2. The Mountbatten Plan (June 1947)
Context: Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, formulated a plan for the transfer of power that accepted the principle of partition while attempting to minimize its impact.
Key Provisions
- Legislative Assemblies of Punjab and Bengal would vote for partition into separate Hindu and Muslim groups. A simple majority in either group would lead to the partition of these provinces.
- In the case of partition, two dominions (India and Pakistan) and two constituent assemblies would be created.
- Sindh would make its own decision regarding partition.
- Referendums in NWFP and Sylhet district of Bengal would determine the fate of these areas.
- As Congress had conceded a unified India, all their other points would be met, which are:
- Princely states would not be independent but would join either India or Pakistan.
- Independence for Bengal was ruled out.
- Accession of Hyderabad to Pakistan was ruled out (Mountbatten supported Congress on this).
- Freedom to come on August 15, 1947.
- Boundary commission to be set up if partition was to be effected.
- The League's demand for Pakistan was conceded, and the Congress's position on unity was considered to minimize the size of Pakistan.
- Mountbatten's formula aimed to divide India while retaining maximum unity.
Knowledge Nugget
The Mountbatten Plan was significantly different from the Cabinet Mission Plan. While the Cabinet Mission had tried to preserve Indian unity through a federal structure with groupings, Mountbatten accepted partition as the only practical solution. The plan advanced the date of independence from June 1948 to August 1947 to avoid further communal violence.
The Mountbatten Plan was significantly different from the Cabinet Mission Plan. While the Cabinet Mission had tried to preserve Indian unity through a federal structure with groupings, Mountbatten accepted partition as the only practical solution. The plan advanced the date of independence from June 1948 to August 1947 to avoid further communal violence.
3. Key Decisions and Outcomes
Context: The Mountbatten Plan led to the creation of two independent dominions - India and Pakistan - on August 15, 1947, ending nearly 200 years of British colonial rule.
Partition of Provinces
- Punjab and Bengal were partitioned based on the vote in their legislative assemblies.
- Sindh decided to join Pakistan.
- NWFP voted for Pakistan through a referendum.
- Sylhet district of Bengal voted for Pakistan through a referendum and joined East Pakistan.
Status of Princely States
- Princely states were given the choice to join either India or Pakistan.
- Hyderabad attempted to remain independent but was integrated into India through police action (Operation Polo) in 1948.
- Kashmir acceded to India under special circumstances, leading to the Indo-Pakistan conflict.
Boundary Commission
- A Boundary Commission was set up under the chairmanship of Sir Cyril Radcliffe to demarcate the borders between India and Pakistan.
- The Radcliffe Line was announced on August 17, 1947, two days after independence, leading to massive population displacement.
Key Outcomes of the Mountbatten Plan:
- Two Dominions: India and Pakistan created on August 15, 1947
- Partition: Punjab and Bengal divided
- Referendums: NWFP and Sylhet voted for Pakistan
- Princely States: Given choice to join India or Pakistan
- Boundary Commission: Radcliffe Line demarcated borders
- Independence Date: August 15, 1947 (advanced from June 1948)
- Two Dominions: India and Pakistan created on August 15, 1947
- Partition: Punjab and Bengal divided
- Referendums: NWFP and Sylhet voted for Pakistan
- Princely States: Given choice to join India or Pakistan
- Boundary Commission: Radcliffe Line demarcated borders
- Independence Date: August 15, 1947 (advanced from June 1948)
4. Summary: Attlee's Statement and Mountbatten Plan
| Aspect | Attlee's Statement (Feb 1947) | Mountbatten Plan (Jun 1947) |
|---|---|---|
| Announced By | Clement Attlee | Lord Mountbatten |
| Date | February 20, 1947 | June 3, 1947 |
| Deadline | June 30, 1948 | August 15, 1947 |
| Partition | Not explicitly stated | Accepted; Punjab and Bengal to vote |
| Princely States | Powers would lapse | To join India or Pakistan |
| Referendums | Not mentioned | NWFP and Sylhet to decide |
| Boundary Commission | Not mentioned | To be set up (Radcliffe Commission) |
| Viceroy | Lord Mountbatten to replace Wavell | Lord Mountbatten (last Viceroy) |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- Attlee's Statement (Feb 20, 1947): Deadline June 30, 1948; Mountbatten to replace Wavell
- Mountbatten Plan (June 3, 1947): Accepted partition; Punjab and Bengal to vote
- Independence Date: August 15, 1947 (advanced from June 1948)
- Partition: Two dominions - India and Pakistan
- Referendums: NWFP and Sylhet voted for Pakistan
- Radcliffe Line: Boundary Commission announced on August 17, 1947
- Princely States: Given choice to join India or Pakistan
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Chapter 18 Focus)
Q1. The Attlee's Statement declaring British intention to leave India was made on:
Correct Answer: B. Clement Attlee, the British Prime Minister, made the announcement on February 20, 1947, declaring Britain's intention to leave the Indian subcontinent.
Q2. According to Attlee's Statement, the deadline for transfer of power was set as:
Correct Answer: C. The deadline for transfer of power was set as June 30, 1948, irrespective of whether Indian politicians agreed on the constitution.
Q3. Who replaced Lord Wavell as the Viceroy of India following Attlee's Statement?
Correct Answer: B. Lord Mountbatten replaced Lord Wavell as the Viceroy of India following Attlee's Statement on February 20, 1947.
Q4. The Mountbatten Plan was announced on:
Correct Answer: C. The Mountbatten Plan was announced on June 3, 1947, accepting the principle of partition and setting August 15, 1947 as the date of independence.
Q5. Which provinces were to vote for partition under the Mountbatten Plan?
Correct Answer: B. Legislative Assemblies of Punjab and Bengal would vote for partition into separate Hindu and Muslim groups. A simple majority in either group would lead to partition.
Q6. Referendums were to be held in which areas under the Mountbatten Plan?
Correct Answer: C. Referendums in NWFP and Sylhet district of Bengal would determine the fate of these areas. Both voted for Pakistan.
Q7. Which of the following was NOT a provision of the Mountbatten Plan?
Correct Answer: C. Independence for Bengal was ruled out under the Mountbatten Plan. The plan provided for partition of Bengal into East Pakistan and West Bengal.
Q8. The Boundary Commission to demarcate borders between India and Pakistan was chaired by:
Correct Answer: B. The Boundary Commission was chaired by Sir Cyril Radcliffe, and the Radcliffe Line was announced on August 17, 1947.
Q9. The Radcliffe Line was announced on:
Correct Answer: B. The Radcliffe Line was announced on August 17, 1947, two days after India's independence, demarcating the borders between India and Pakistan.
Q10. The Mountbatten Plan advanced the date of independence from June 1948 to:
Correct Answer: C. The Mountbatten Plan advanced the date of independence from June 1948 to August 15, 1947 to avoid further communal violence and expedite the transfer of power.