Unit 4: Constitutional Changes, Partition, and Independence
1. The Government of India Act (1935)
Following the failure of the Round Table Conferences, the British Parliament passed the Government of India Act, 1935. It was the longest Act of the British Parliament at that time.
Key Features:
- All-India Federation: Proposed a federation consisting of British Indian Provinces and Princely States (though this never came into effect).
- Provincial Autonomy: Abolished Dyarchy in the provinces and introduced it at the Center. Provinces were now controlled by elected Indian ministers.
- Division of Powers: Established three lists—Federal List, Provincial List, and Concurrent List.
- Separation of Burma: Burma was separated from India.
Exam Tip: Note that while the Act gave more power to Indians, the Governors and the Viceroy still retained "special powers" (veto rights), which was a major point of criticism by the Congress.
2. The Cripps Mission (1942)
In March 1942, as World War II worsened for the British, Sir Stafford Cripps was sent to India to seek Indian cooperation for the war effort.
Main Proposals:
- Grant of Dominion Status after the war.
- A constitution-making body elected by provincial assemblies.
- Any province not willing to join the Union could have a separate constitution (this hinted at the possibility of Pakistan).
Why it Failed:
The Congress rejected it because it didn't offer immediate complete independence. Gandhi famously called the Cripps proposal a "Post-dated cheque on a crashing bank."
3. The Cabinet Mission Plan (1946)
After the war, the British Labor government sent three members (Pethick-Lawrence, Stafford Cripps, and A.V. Alexander) to discuss the transfer of power.
Major Provisions:
- Rejected the demand for a separate Pakistan.
- Proposed a three-tier structure: Center, Groups of Provinces, and Provinces.
- Formation of a Constituent Assembly to draft the constitution.
- Establishment of an Interim Government.
4. Partition and Independence of India (1947)
The communal violence following "Direct Action Day" and the deadlock between the Congress and the Muslim League led to the inevitable partition.
A. The Mountbatten Plan (June 3, 1947)
Lord Mountbatten proposed the immediate transfer of power on the basis of partition. The Punjab and Bengal legislative assemblies were to vote on partition.
B. Indian Independence Act (1947)
- Ending of British rule on August 15, 1947.
- Creation of two independent dominions: India and Pakistan.
- A Boundary Commission led by Cyril Radcliffe was appointed to demarcate borders.
- Princely States were given the choice to join either India, Pakistan, or remain independent.
5. Exam Focus
Key Dates to Remember:
- 1935: Govt of India Act.
- March 1942: Cripps Mission.
- August 1942: Quit India Movement starts.
- March 1946: Cabinet Mission arrives.
- August 15, 1947: Independence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the main drawback of the 1935 Act?
A: It granted autonomy but kept the ultimate authority with the British Governors and Viceroy via discretionary powers.
Q: Who were the members of the Cabinet Mission?
A: Lord Pethick-Lawrence, Sir Stafford Cripps, and A.V. Alexander.
Q: Why did the Muslim League accept and then reject the Cabinet Mission Plan?
A: They initially accepted because of the provincial grouping (which they saw as a stepping stone to Pakistan), but rejected it after Nehru's statement that the Congress would not be bound by the grouping scheme.
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