15) Attempts at political settlement, 1945–46 Flashcards
How many Indians were demobilised from the Indian Army due to the end of the war?
7 million
Which area was threatened by drought in 1945?
Southern India
How many soldiers of Indian Army mutinied in February 1946 in Bombay, Calcutta and Karachi?
20,000
What percentage of available seats were won by Congress in the 1945 elections?
90%
What percentage of all seats reserved for Muslims were taken by the Muslim League in the 1945 elections?
90%
What percentage of the Muslim vote did the Muslim League receive in the 1945 election?
75%
How many seats were the Muslim League able to secure in the Central Assembly?
30
In which provinces were the Muslim League able to form governments?
Bengal and Sind
What government took control in the Punjab?
A non-muslim coalition (despite voting majority)
Who was on the Cabinet Mission sent by Atlee?
Lord Pethwick-Lawrence; A.V. Alexander (First Lord of the Admiralty) and Stafford Cripps
When did the Cabinet mission arrive in India?
24 March 1946
Which minorities did the Cabinet mission ignore?
The Sikhs and the Princely states
What was the goal of the Cabinet Mission?
Maintain a United India and a positive desire of a speedy transfer of power
When was the Second Simla Conference?
May 1946
What was proposed at the Second Simla Conference as a result of the Cabinet Mission?
- There would be an All-India Union (defense, foreign policy and internal communication and elected from each province) governed by executive and legislature; three clusters of Provincial governments each with its own government for provincial affairs; each cluster could become independent states 2. Independent states of Hindustan and Pakistan
What was the May statement?
A constituent assembly would formed from the 11 provinces who will draft a constitution for a single Indian state with regional groupings.
What was said in the June Statement?
The Viceroy will select its own members for the Interim Government
What was the reaction of Congress at the Second Simla Conference?
Initially decline, however later accepted upon the acknowledgment that individual states, and not groups of states, could opt out.
When was Direct Action Day?
16 August 1946
How many people died in Bombay during Direct Action Day?
5,000 died (20,000 seriously injured, 100,000 made homeless)
When was the Interim Government sworn in?
2 September 1946
What was the role of Nehru in the Interim Government?
Foreign affairs
Who was the interim government’s general secretary?
Sardar Patel
Who did Jinnah send to be part of the Viceroy’s Executive Council?
Liaquat Ali Khan
What role did Jinnah have in the Interim Government?
Finance minister
When was the goal set by Atlee to hand over British power of India to Indian hands?
30 June 1948
