partition

Question 1

who helped with the boundary commission

Answer 1

Sir Cyril Radcliffe

Question 2

what did Conrad Cornfield do

Answer 2

persuaded the secretary of state (Lord Listowel) to agree that neither Pakistan or India would inherit the princely states

Question 3

what was the AIM of the boundary commission

Answer 3

draw a boundary between India and Pakistan

Question 4

what was the reasons behind Mountbatten wanting partition

Answer 4

• witnessing religious violence

Question 5

what was the Muslim Leagues reaction to the violence in Amritsar

Answer 5

responded with their own attacks in the north west frontier

Question 6

what was Congress’ reaction to the violence in Amritsar

Answer 6

Gandhi went on a peace march to try and inspire both sides
- seemed out of touch

Question 7

who was Sir Cyril Radcliffe

Answer 7

• legal expert
• no experience in India
• had no alternative
• felt that partition would’ve gone better if he had more time

Question 8

how did leaks of political affairs impact India

Answer 8

leak would reach Nehru who put pressure on Mountbatten to change the commission

Question 9

what was the impact of Mountbatten on India

Answer 9

• strengthened India as he didn’t want to support Pakistan
• not acting even
• disliked Jinnah but had a close relationship with Nehru

Question 10

how did the Princes feel during partition

Answer 10

• felt ignored even though they supported WW2 efforts
• threatened by Congress, a party dedicated towards removing sovereign powers

Question 11

what was the Balkan plan

Answer 11

the first draft towards partition
- quickly destroyed due to Nehru’s advice that it would weaken Congress and India
- allowed the Indian states and provinces to decide their own future

Question 12

what was the Mountbatten plan

Answer 12

2nd plan towards partition
- was passed

Question 13

what was Mountbatten scared about

Answer 13

• wanted to withdraw before the subcontinent ‘went to into flames’

Question 14

what was the only form of order during the partition and what was its issue

Answer 14

• the army
• partition would mean that the army would no longer be a national body

Question 15

why did Mountbatten take over India

Answer 15

Wavell had severe doubts about his capability to cope with increasing strains
- felt this way because of congress’ ‘wire pulling’ and partially because of their dealings with Wavell

Question 16

what did Nehru do as prime minister

Answer 16

sidelined the viceroy through demanding that intelligence reports should be sent to Congress

Question 17

when was the interim gov sworn

Answer 17

1948