Modern History Flashcards
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INA Trials (1945–46): Importance and Impact
Widespread support from Congress, League, RSS; inspired government staff, military; symbolized British oppression; sparked nationalist unity.
INA Defence Committee and Outcome
Formed by Congress with Nehru and Bhulabhai Desai as lawyers; INA officers convicted but later released and discharged.
RIN Mutiny (1945): Causes
WWII expanded navy 10x; sailors faced racism, poor food, low pay, nationalism, and were influenced by INA trials.
RIN Mutiny: Events and Leaders
Started at HMIS Talwar, Bombay (Dec 1945); led by M.S. Khan and Madan Singh; 20,000 ratings joined strike; flags of all major parties raised.
RIN Mutiny: Response and Significance
British crushed mutiny after Gandhi opposed it; Communists supported; long-term impact: pensions granted in 1972, influenced Cabinet Mission.
Cabinet Mission (1946): Objectives and Members
Members: Pethick-Lawrence, Stafford Cripps, A.V. Alexander; aimed to prevent partition and establish an Indian constitution.
Cabinet Mission: Key Proposals
Proposed 389-member Constituent Assembly, 3-tier federal Union, grouping of provinces (A, B, C), and an Interim Government.
Cabinet Mission: Reactions
Congress accepted Assembly but rejected grouping; League initially agreed, then withdrew and called Direct Action Day (Aug 16, 1946).
Interim Government (1946): Formation
Nehru formed 12-member cabinet (Aug 1946); Congress dominated provincial governments; aimed to implement Cabinet Mission proposals.
Interim Government: Challenges
Muslim League delayed joining, entered in Oct 1946, but disrupted functioning; Liaqat Ali Khan used Finance Ministry to hinder government.
Constituent Assembly: Composition and Election
389 seats: 296 from British provinces (elected), 93 from princely states (nominated); indirect elections by provincial assemblies.
Constituent Assembly: First Session and Key Events
First session on 9 Dec 1946; Muslim League boycotted; Rajendra Prasad became president; Nehru introduced Objective Resolution (Dec 13).
Constituent Assembly: Role and Legacy
Tasked with drafting Constitution (completed in 1950); also acted as legislature during transition period (1946–50).
Direct Action Day (1946)
League’s protest for Pakistan turned violent; widespread communal riots across Bengal; highlighted failure of political negotiations.
Attlee’s Declaration (1947)
British PM Attlee announced withdrawal by June 30, 1948; hinted at transfer of power to more than one government if needed.
Mountbatten Plan (1947): Key Points
Proposed partition; Punjab and Bengal to vote; princely states to choose India or Pakistan; set 15 August 1947 as independence day.
Indian Independence Act (1947): Provisions
Created India and Pakistan as dominions; ended British paramountcy; abolished Viceroy role; 1935 Act continued as interim constitution.
