Independence with Partition

1.Attlee's Statement of February 20, 1947

• Main Points of Attlee's Statement (February 20, 1947)Importance 5/5
  Remember the deadline fixed for the transfer of power and the change of viceroy. Understand where power would go if the constituent assembly was not fully representative, and what would happen to British paramountcy over the princely states. Why is the statement seen as hinting at partition and Balkanisation? Some also see it as a return to the Cripps Offer; this is a view, not a fact.
• Why the Government Fixed a Date for WithdrawalImportance 3/5
  The government had several hopes in fixing a date. Understand what it hoped for with respect to the parties, the constitutional crisis and Indian trust in British sincerity. Also remember what Wavell's assessment of the government's authority had shown.
• Congress Stand and League Reaction to Attlee's StatementImportance 3/5
  Why was transfer of power to more than one centre acceptable to Congress? Be able to explain what it allowed the existing assembly to do. How did the League react to the statement, and in which province?

2.Independence and Partition

• Growing Acceptance of Partition (Early 1947)Importance 4/5UPSC 2000
  What pushed many people to accept the idea of partition in early 1947? Which groups pressed hardest for dividing Bengal and Punjab, and what were they afraid of? Remember the Hindu Mahasabha's idea for Bengal. Also learn what Nehru said on March 10, 1947, and what Kripalani told the viceroy in April 1947.
• Mountbatten's Mandate and Approach as ViceroyImportance 3/5UPSC 1998
  Why could Mountbatten decide faster than the viceroys before him? Remember the task he was given and its time limit. Understand how he judged the Cabinet Mission Plan and Jinnah's position. What would a serious attempt to keep India united have required, and what did he do instead?
• Plan BalkanImportance 3/5UPSC 2000
  When was Plan Balkan drawn up, and to whom would it have transferred power? What options would provinces and princely states have had under it? Know why it was dropped quickly and who objected.
• Dominion Status Formula and Its OriginImportance 4/5
  Who suggested transferring power at once on the basis of dominion status? Understand what the right of secession meant here, and why this removed the need to wait for agreement in the constituent assembly. Did the idea of freedom with partition begin with Mountbatten?
• Main Points of the Mountbatten PlanImportance 5/5
  Remember the plan's provisions: how the Punjab and Bengal assemblies would vote and the rule for partition, the two dominions and two constituent assemblies, the decision for Sindh, the areas with referendums, the position of princely states and of Bengal, the date of freedom, and the boundary commission. Understand what is meant by "divide India but retain maximum unity".
• Why Congress Accepted Dominion StatusImportance 3/5
  How did dominion status differ from the spirit of the Lahore Congress (1929)? Understand the three reasons Congress accepted it anyway. Why did dominion status also suit Britain, with respect to the Commonwealth, trade and defence?
• Rationale for an Early Date (August 15, 1947)Importance 3/5
  Why did Britain choose such an early date? Understand the two motives, one linked to dominion status and the other to the communal situation. These are explanations commonly given, not clauses of the plan.
• Implementation of the June 3 Plan in the ProvincesImportance 4/5
  How did each area respond to the plan? Remember what Bengal and Punjab decided and which parts went to Pakistan or stayed with India. Know the results in Sylhet and the NWFP, and what the Provincial Congress did in the NWFP. What was the position of Baluchistan and Sindh? How many boundary commissions were formed, and for what?
• Passage and Provisions of the Indian Independence Act, 1947Importance 5/5
  Remember when the Act received royal assent and when it came into effect. Understand its main provisions: the two dominions and their governors general, the constituent assemblies acting as legislatures, the central bodies that were dissolved, and the law that governed the transition until new constitutions were adopted.
• Independence Dates and the First Governors GeneralImportance 4/5
  Which date did the Act fix for the start of both dominions? Why does Pakistan mark its independence on August 14? Who became the first Governor General of Pakistan, and whom did India request to continue in that post?
• Problems of Early Withdrawal (Radcliffe Award)Importance 4/5UPSC 2014
  Why did the fast pace of events cause problems in arranging partition and fail to stop the Punjab massacre? Be able to explain the lack of transitional structures and the failed idea of a common Governor General. When was the Radcliffe Award ready, and when was it made public? The reason given for the delay is an interpretation, so understand it as a view.

3.Integration of States

• States' People's Movement and Nehru's Stand (1945–47)Importance 3/5UPSC 2001
  What did the new upsurge of the States' People's Movement in 1946–47 demand? Where and when did Nehru preside over the All India States' People's Conference? Remember how he said states refusing to join the Constituent Assembly would be treated.
• Phase I: Patel, the States Department and the Instrument of AccessionImportance 4/5UPSC 2007
  When did Patel take charge of the States Department, and what mix of methods did he use? Remember the three subjects the Instrument of Accession gave to the central government, and the three states that had not signed by August 15, 1947. Be able to explain why most princes agreed so easily.
• Phase II: Integration of States and the Privy PurseImportance 4/5
  How did integration differ from accession? Learn the new units that were formed and which states kept their old boundaries for some years. Understand the main inducement offered to princes and the posts some received. How long did this phase take, and why is it called Patel's greatest achievement?

4.Inevitability of Partition

• The Two Tasks Before Congress and PartitionImportance 4/5
  What were the two tasks before the Congress-led national movement? Understand why partition is seen as showing both a success and a failure of the Congress-led movement. Link this to the long-term failure to draw Muslim masses into the national movement.
• Immediate Pressures Behind Accepting PartitionImportance 3/5UPSC 1998
  Why did the spread of "direct action" and communal violence make an immediate transfer of power seem necessary? Learn how the state of the Interim Government added to the pressure. Be able to explain how ruling out independence for princely states helped avoid Balkanisation.
• Step-by-Step Concessions to the League (1942–1947)Importance 4/5
  What was conceded to the League at each of these points: the Cripps Mission (1942), the Gandhi-Jinnah talks (1944), the Cabinet Mission Plan (1946, and December 1946), the Working Committee resolution of March 1947, and the June 3 Plan? Remember the order of these steps.
• Congress and the Communalism of the 1940sImportance 3/5
  Congress loudly asserted the sovereignty of the Constituent Assembly. What did it quietly accept at the same time? Remember Nehru's three statements that showed wishful thinking about communal feeling. How was the communalism of the 1940s different from that of the 1920s and 1930s?
• Gandhi's HelplessnessImportance 3/5
  Why did Gandhi feel helpless, and why did he accept partition? Understand his question about fighting communalism with a communalised people. What did he ask Congressmen to do about accepting it?
• Views on Independence and PartitionImportance 3/5
  Who said each of these: "tired men", "several Pakistans", "Pakistan cells in every office", "secretary and typewriter"? Remember Azad's view on whether the people had accepted partition. Also know the main points in the views of R.C. Mazumdar (the causes of independence and the INA trial), Wali Khan and R.J. Moore on British motives.

1. 1.

   Consider the following statements about Attlee's statement of 20 February 1947:
   1. Power could be transferred to some form of central government or, in some areas, to the existing provincial governments.
   2. British paramountcy over the princely states was to be transferred to the successor government in British India.
   3. Mountbatten was to replace Wavell as viceroy.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   1. A1 only
   2. B2 and 3 only
   3. C1 and 3 only
   4. D1, 2 and 3
2. 2.

   Consider the following statements:
   Statement-I: The Congress found the provision in Attlee's statement for transfer of power to more than one centre acceptable.
   Statement-II: It meant the existing Constituent Assembly could go ahead and frame a constitution for the areas it represented.
   Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

   1. ABoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
   2. BBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
   3. CStatement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
   4. DStatement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
3. 3.

   Consider the following:
   1. A fixed date would shock the parties into agreement.
   2. The government wanted to avert the developing constitutional crisis.
   3. It hoped to convince Indians of British sincerity.
   4. Government authority had irreversibly declined.
   How many of the above are given as reasons why the British fixed a date for withdrawal?

   1. AOnly one
   2. BOnly two
   3. COnly three
   4. DAll four
4. 4.

   Consider the following statements about the Mountbatten Plan (June 1947):
   1. The Punjab and Bengal assemblies would meet in two groups, Hindus and Muslims, to vote on partition.
   2. Partition required a two-thirds majority in both groups.
   3. Referendums would decide the fate of the NWFP and Sylhet district.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   1. A1 only
   2. B1 and 3 only
   3. C2 and 3 only
   4. D1, 2 and 3
5. 5.

   Consider the following statements about the Mountbatten Plan:
   1. Independence for the princely states was ruled out.
   2. Independence for Bengal was ruled out.
   3. A boundary commission was to be set up if partition was effected.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   1. A1 and 2 only
   2. B2 and 3 only
   3. C1 and 3 only
   4. D1, 2 and 3
6. 6.

   Consider the following:
   1. It would ensure a peaceful and quick transfer of power.
   2. The Congress needed to assume authority to check the explosive situation.
   3. It would allow continuity in the bureaucracy and the army.
   4. It fully matched the spirit of the Lahore Congress (1929).
   How many of the above are given as reasons why the Congress accepted dominion status in 1947?

   1. AOnly one
   2. BOnly two
   3. COnly three
   4. DAll four
7. 7.

   Consider the following statements about the Indian Independence Act, 1947:
   1. It created two independent dominions, India and Pakistan.
   2. The Constituent Assembly of each dominion was to exercise the powers of its legislature.
   3. Until new constitutions were adopted, the dominions were to be governed under the Government of India Act, 1919.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   1. A1 and 2 only
   2. B1 only
   3. C2 and 3 only
   4. D1, 2 and 3
8. 8.

   Consider the following statements about the problems of early withdrawal:
   1. There were no transitional institutional structures to tackle partition problems.
   2. Jinnah wanted to be Governor General of Pakistan himself, so Mountbatten could not be a common Governor General.
   3. The Radcliffe Boundary Award was published as soon as it was ready on 12 August 1947.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   1. A1 only
   2. B2 and 3 only
   3. C1, 2 and 3
   4. D1 and 2 only
9. 9.

   Consider the following statements about the first phase of integration of princely states:
   1. By 15 August 1947, all states except Kashmir, Hyderabad and Junagarh had signed instruments of accession.
   2. The states ceded authority over defence, external affairs and communication.
   3. The princes resisted strongly, since they were giving up powers they had long exercised.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   1. A1 only
   2. B2 and 3 only
   3. C1 and 2 only
   4. D1, 2 and 3
10. 10.

    What was the principal inducement offered to princes in the second phase of integration of the princely states?

    1. ASeats in the Constituent Assembly
    2. BA generous privy purse
    3. CRetention of their armies
    4. DExemption from income tax for their subjects
11. 11.

    Consider the following statements:
    Statement-I: The Congress had to accept partition in 1947.
    Statement-II: The Congress had failed to complete the task of welding the nation, especially integrating the Muslims into it.
    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    1. ABoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
    2. BBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
    3. CStatement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
    4. DStatement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
12. 12.

    Consider the following statements about the step-by-step concessions leading to partition:
    1. During the Cripps Mission (1942), autonomy of Muslim-majority provinces was accepted.
    2. During the Gandhi-Jinnah talks (1944), Gandhi accepted the right of self-determination of Muslim-majority provinces.
    3. A CWC resolution of March 1947 stated that Punjab must be partitioned if the country was divided.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. A1 and 2 only
    2. B2 and 3 only
    3. C1 and 3 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
13. 13.

    Consider the following statements about the outcome of the Mountbatten Plan:
    1. The NWFP referendum went in favour of Pakistan, with the Provincial Congress staying out of it.
    2. Baluchistan and Sindh joined Pakistan.
    3. A single boundary commission was set up for both Punjab and Bengal.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. A1 only
    2. B1 and 2 only
    3. C2 and 3 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
14. 14.

    Consider the following statements about Nehru and the state people's movement:
    1. Nehru presided over the All India State People's Conference sessions at Udaipur (1945) and Gwalior (1947).
    2. He declared that states refusing to join the Constituent Assembly would be treated as hostile.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 only
    3. CBoth 1 and 2
    4. DNeither 1 nor 2
15. 15.

    Which of the following was given as a reason for the British choosing the early date of 15 August 1947 for the transfer of power?

    1. ATo escape responsibility for the communal situation
    2. BTo coincide with the anniversary of the Quit India Movement
    3. CTo allow the Cabinet Mission Plan to be implemented first
    4. DTo hold fresh elections before independence

1. 1.

   UPSC 2001

   Who among the following was the President of the All-India States’ Peoples’ Conference in 1939?

   1. AJaya Prakash Narayan
   2. BJawaharlal Nehru
   3. CSheikh Abdullah
   4. DSardar Vallabhbhai Patel
2. 2.

   UPSC 2014

   The Radcliffe Committee was appointed to

   1. Asolve the problem of minorities in India
   2. Bgive effect to the Independence Bill
   3. Cdelimit the boundaries between India and Pakistan
   4. Denquire into the riots in East Bengal
3. 3.

   UPSC 2007

   Who wrote the book "The Story of the Integration of Indian States"?

   1. AB. N. Rau
   2. BC. Rajagopalachari
   3. CKrishna Menon
   4. DV. P. Menon
4. 4.

   UPSC 2002

   The President of the Indian National Congress at the time of the partition of India was

   1. AC. Rajagopalachari
   2. BJ. B. Kripalani
   3. CJawaharlal Nehru
   4. DMaulana Abul Kalam Azad
5. 5.

   UPSC 2000

   At the time of partition of India, which one of the following provinces of the British India came forward with a plan for a united and independent existence?

   1. APunjab
   2. BAssam
   3. CBengal
   4. DBihar
6. 6.

   UPSC 2000

   The Balkan Plan for fragmentation of India was the brain-child of

   1. AW. Churchill
   2. BM. A. Jinnah
   3. CLord Mountbatten
   4. DV. P. Menon
7. 7.

   UPSC 2000

   As an alternative to the partition of India, Gandhiji suggested to Mountbatten that he

   1. Apostpone granting of independence
   2. Binvite Jinnah to form the government
   3. Cinvite Nehru and Jinnah to form the government together
   4. Dinvite the army to take over for some time
8. 8.

   UPSC 1998

   Lord Mountbatten came to India as Viceroy with specific instructions to

   1. Abalkanize the Indian sub-continent
   2. Bkeep India united if possible
   3. Caccept Jinnah’s demand for Pakistan
   4. Dpersuade the Congress to accept partition
9. 9.

   UPSC 1998

   The Indian National Congress agreed in 1947 to the partition of the country mainly because

   1. Athe principle of two Nation theory was then acceptable to them
   2. Bit was imposed by the British Government and the Congress was helpless in this regard
   3. Cthey wanted to avoid large-scale communal riots
   4. DIndia would have otherwise lost the opportunity to attain freedom