Transfer of Power & Partition
National Movement · सत्ता हस्तांतरण और विभाजन
📋Quick Overview
The transfer of power in 1947 was the culmination of decades of freedom struggle. The path to independence was marked by the Cabinet Mission Plan (1946), horrific communal violence of Direct Action Day, the Mountbatten Plan (June 3, 1947), and finally the Indian Independence Act (July 18, 1947). On August 14, Pakistan and August 15, India became independent — accompanied by the largest human migration in history, with 14 million people displaced.
⭐
Mountbatten was appointed as the last Viceroy of India (March 1947). After partition, he became the first Governor-General of Independent India. Jinnah became the first Governor-General of Pakistan.
📖Key Events Leading to Independence
| Event | Date | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinet Mission | 1946 | Members: Stafford Cripps, A.V. Alexander, Pethick-Lawrence; proposed federal structure with 3 tiers; accepted by INC then League, then both rejected final plan |
| Interim Government | Sept 2, 1946 | Nehru became Vice-President of Executive Council (effective PM); Jinnah's League joined October 1946 but caused deadlock |
| Direct Action Day | Aug 16, 1946 | Muslim League declared 'Direct Action Day'; Great Calcutta Killings — 5,000+ killed in 3 days; worst communal violence pre-partition |
| Attlee's Announcement | Feb 20, 1947 | PM Attlee announced Britain would quit India by June 1948; Lord Mountbatten appointed last Viceroy (March 1947) |
| Mountbatten Plan | June 3, 1947 | Plan for partition: two dominions (India + Pakistan); Punjab and Bengal to be partitioned; plebiscite in NWFP and Sylhet; princely states to decide |
| Indian Independence Act | July 18, 1947 | Passed by British Parliament; effective August 14-15, 1947; created two dominions; Viceroy's office abolished; Crown's paramountcy over princely states lapsed |
| Radcliffe Award | Aug 17, 1947 | Cyril Radcliffe drew boundary lines for Punjab + Bengal; announced August 17 (2 days after independence); 14 million displaced — largest migration in history |
📖Independence & Aftermath
- •Pakistan: August 14, 1947 — Capital Karachi; Jinnah first Governor-General; Liaquat Ali Khan first PM
- •India: August 15, 1947 — Nehru's 'Tryst with Destiny' speech; Mountbatten first Governor-General; Nehru first PM
- •C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) became India's first and only Indian Governor-General (1948–1950)
- •Integration of 562 princely states led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (Iron Man of India) + V.P. Menon
- •Hyderabad: Operation Polo (September 1948) — police action by Indian Army under Gen. J.N. Chaudhuri; merged into India
- •Gandhi assassinated January 30, 1948 by Nathuram Godse at Birla House, Delhi