Independence and the Partition of India Flashcards

1
Q

When did PM Attlee make the announcement in the House of Commons about British quitting India?

A

20th February, 1947

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What was the official date on which the British would quit India?

A

30th June, 1948

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Who would be replacing Lord Wavell?

A

Lord Mountbatten

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What did the British say would happen if the Muslim League did not join the Constituent Assembly?

A

The Government would have to consider to whom the powers of the Central Government should be handed over on due date, whether as a whole to some form of Central Government or in some areas to the existing Provincial Governments

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

When did Lord Mountbatten assume office as Viceroy?

A

24 March, 1947

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What was the role of Lord Mountbatten?

A

He had been sent with the definite object of transferring power to India. He was to advise the Government in England as to which of the two Plans should be chosen - the one which preserved the unity of India, but gave the maximum powers to the Provinces, or the other which divided India into two Independent States

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What was Lord Mountbatten convinced of?

A

That India was to be partitioned. Transfer of power to Indians could only be on the basis of partition of the country

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

When did Mountbatten announce his plan?

A

3 June

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What were the main points of Mountbatten’s plan?

A
  1. Partition of Bengal and Punjab
  2. The existing Constituent Assembly would continue to work, but the Constitution framed by it would not apply to Pakistan
  3. Sindh
  4. NWFP
  5. District of Sylhet
  6. The Princely States
  7. A Boundary Commission
  8. Relations between the two new Dominions
  9. Transfer of Power before the end of 1947
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

On what condition would the Partition of Bengal and Punjab take place?

A

Provided that the Legislative Assemblies of the two Provinces decided in favour of the Partition

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What would happen to Sindh?

A

The Legislative Assembly of Sindh was to take its own decision at a special meeting

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What would happen to NWFP?

A

A referendum was to be held to decide the future of the Province?

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What would happen to the District of Sylhet?

A

The Muslim-majority district of Sylhet was to decide by referendum whether it would join East Bengal or stay in Assam

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What would happen to the Princely States?

A

The treaties with them would come to an end. They would be free to associate themselves with either of the Dominions or to remain independent

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What was the Boundary Commission?

A

The Plan provided for the creation of a Boundary Commission to settle the boundaries of the two dominions in case Partition was decided upon

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Relations between the two Dominions?

A

It was for the two Dominions to decide what relations they would have with the British Commonwealth and with each other

17
Q

Transfer of power?

A

Would not take place in June 1948, but much earlier than that

18
Q

When did the Council of the Muslim League accept the Mountbatten Plan?

A

10 June

19
Q

When did the All-India Congress Committee accept the Mountbatten Plan?

A

15 June, 1947

20
Q

Why did Congress accept the Mountbatten Plan?

A
  1. Communal riots had taken a serious turn as a result of the ‘Direct Action’ of the Muslim League
  2. The League had joined the Interim Government to obstruct and not to cooperate
  3. The only alternative to Partition was a Federation with a Weak Centre
  4. The leaders felt that Partition would rid the Constitution of Separate Electorates and other undemocratic procedures
  5. The leaders felt that further delay in the transfer of power could find India in the midst of a Civil War
21
Q

Which act was passed by the British Parliament on 15 July 1947?

A

Indian Independence Bill

22
Q

When did the Indian Independence Bill receive Royal Assent?

A

July 18

23
Q

What did the Indian IndependenceAct consist of?

A

Less than 20 Sections and 3 Schedules

24
Q

Name the main provisions of the Indian Independence Act.

A
  1. Two New Dominions
  2. Each Dominion to have a Governor-General
  3. Constituent Assemblies would serve as Central Legislatures
  4. Princely States would become Independent
  5. The Abolition of the Office of the Secretary of State
  6. Division of the Indian Army and the Sharing of Assets
  7. Safeguarding the Interests of Existing Officers
25
Q

What was Pakistan to comprise of?

A

East Bengal, West Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan, North-West Frontier Province and the district of Sylhet in Assam

26
Q

What would the Governor-General function as in each Dominion?

A

As a Constitutional Head

27
Q

When was Jawaharlal Nehru administered the Oath of Office of the Prime Minister of India?

A

On 15th August 1947

28
Q

Who was requested by Nehru to continue as Governor-General of India?

A

Lord Mountbatten

29
Q

Who became the Governor-General of Pakistan?

A

Mr. Muhammad Ali Jinnah

30
Q

Which iconic speech did Nehru make and when?

A

‘Tryst with Destiny’ on 14 August 1947

31
Q

Who was sworn in as the Governor-General of India on 20 June 1948?

A

C. Rajagopalachari

32
Q

Who was the first and last Governor-General of Indian origin?

A

C. Rajagopalachari

33
Q

Who assumed office as President of the Indian Union?

A

Dr. Rajendra Prasad (26 January 1950)

34
Q

What did the Constituent Assembly become on Independence?

A

The Parliament of India