Prepared by Sir Hassan Durrani

Chapter 9 / 1940-1947
 World war 2 & Developing events in India
• On 3rd Sep, 1939 the British announced war with Germany. On the same day Viceroy
Linlithgow announced that India too was at war with the Germany.
• Congress objected to this announcement saying that if India was to fight, it could only
do so if were granted a promise of full independence. British would not grant this but
instead promised Dominion status after the war.
• Congress did not accept it and called on its members to resign from the government.
Before doing so it passed a resolution setting out its entire disapproval of Nazism and
Germany. Showing the support to the British cause, but would not support Britian
without a promise of Independence.
• Muslim League also had put demands to be met before it would agree to support the
British.
• As congress members had resigned from the government, on 22 Dec 1939 the Muslim
League called a day of Deliverance to celebrate the end of tyranny, oppression and
injustice that occurred under the congress Rule.
 World war 2 & Developing events in India
• On 3rd Sep, 1939 the British announced war with Germany. On the same day Viceroy
Linlithgow announced that India too was at war with the Germany.
• Congress objected to this announcement saying that if India was to fight, it could only
do so if were granted a promise of full independence. British would not grant this but
instead promised Dominion status after the war.
• Congress did not accept it and called on its members to resign from the government.
Before doing so it passed a resolution setting out its entire disapproval of Nazism and
Germany. Showing the support to the British cause, but would not support Britian
without a promise of Independence.
• Muslim League also had put demands to be met before it would agree to support the
British.
• As congress members had resigned from the government, on 22 Dec 1939 the Muslim
League called a day of Deliverance to celebrate the end of tyranny, oppression and
injustice that occurred under the congress Rule.
 Q What was Lahore/Pakistan resolution? (4 & 7 Marks)

• The Lahore Resolution commonly known as the Pakistan Resolution was a formal
political statement adopted by the Muslim League at the occasion of its three-day
general session on 22–24 March 1940 that called for greater Muslim autonomy in
British India. This has been largely interpreted as a demand for a separate Muslim
state, Pakistan. The resolution was presented by A. K. Fazlul Huq.
• On the first day of the session, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah narrated the
events of the last few months. In an extempore speech he presented his own
solution of the Muslim problem. To him the differences between Hindus and the
Muslims were so great and so sharp that their union under one central government
was full of serious risks. They belonged to two separate and distinct nations and
therefore the only chance open was to allow them to have separate states.
• The acceptance of the Pakistan resolution accelerated the pace of freedom
movement. It gave new energy and courage to the Muslims who gathered around
Muhammad Ali Jinnah for struggle for freedom.
 Cripps Mission
What was Crips Mission (4 marks)
❖ In March 1942, the British sent sir Stafford Cripps, a member of the cabinet, in India to
see if a compromise could be reached which would win support for the British war
effort. Crips proposed that.

➢ After the war Indian Union would be set up with Dominion status (though individual
provinces could opt out of the union and negotiate their own independence).
➢ After the war a constituent assembly would frame a new constitution.
➢ Elections for the constituent assemblies would be held immediately after the war.

The proposals were rejected by Both Muslim League and Congress.

 Why did the Crips Mission Failed (7 Mark Question)
➢ Congress didn’t want India’s disintegration
According to Cripps proposals, provinces could opt out of the Indian Union, which was
definitely not acceptable to Congress Nationalists. They considered this option a lethal
blow to Indian land. They could not see disintegration of Mother India, and therefore
rejected the Cripps Offer.

➢ Jinnah wanted firm assurance

Cripps Mission conceded the right of self-determination to provincial units i.e. the
provinces were free to remain within India or opt out of Indian Union. Mr. Jinnah was
pleased with this clause because the provinces with Muslim majority could form their own
federation i.e. Pakistan. But there was another clause stating that constitution of free India
would be drawn up by the Indian political leaders. Jinnah feared that the constitution-
making body would be dominated by Hindus who will deny the rights of Muslims. He
wanted solid assurance for independent Pakistan, and therefore didn’t agree with the
Cripps Mission of 1942.
➢Britain’s Crucial Position
Congress wanted to exploit Britain’s critical position. Many
Congress leaders thought that wartime was the best opportunity to
pressurize the British for immediate withdrawal from India.
Therefore, instead of accepting Cripps Offer, they started the Quit
India Movement on massive scale, which was an attempt to drive
the British out of India through protests and demonstrations. If this
strategy succeeds, Congress would deal with all other parties on its
own terms.
 What was Quit India Movement (4 Marks)

The Quit India Movement was a civil disobedience

movement launched in India in August 1942 in
response to Mohandas Gandhi's call for immediate
independence. The All-India Congress Committee
proclaimed a mass protest demanding what Gandhi
called “an orderly British withdrawal” from India.
 Why was Quit India Movement launched by Gandi Ji ? (7 marks)
• The instinct cause of the Quit India Movement was failure of Cripps Mission, which was
led by Sir Safford Cripps who wanted support for representation in World War ll. The
reason behind the miserable failure of the mission were the promises of British to give
India a dominion status after the war. This did not match the demands of Congress who
wanted an immediate independence without any concessions.
• Another reason was that Japanese army had captured Singapore, Hong Kong and
entered in Burma which was in neighbor of India. There was a risk of attack by Japanese
army on India. In Gandhi opinion Japan was only enemy of Britain and after British
defeat, Japan would handover government of India to Congress. Due to this wishful
thinking Gandhi started Quit India movement to push British out of India.
• Muslims were determinant to acquire Pakistan by partitioning of the sub-continent. The
Congress completely opposed the idea of any partition. The Congress thought the
British would give it due to the pressure by Muslims. To prevent the partition, they
launched Quit India Resolution and to force British out of India
 The Gandi-Jinnah Talks
Why did the Gandhi-Jinnah Talks fail in 1944? [7]

Through out September 1944, the two met to consider the future of India but the talks
broke down for a number of reasons.
• One of the reason was that Gandi wanted the league to give immediate support to
congress in its struggle to remove British out of India. Only after the British left the
partition would be considered. Jinnah wanted to secure the partition before the
departure of the British and he strongly believed that why would congress agree to the
partition once they left? So this was the one reason for which the talks broke out.
• Another reason was that Gandi wanted the central govt to have control over the key
areas such as defense and foreign policies but Jinnah wanted these matters to be in the
hands of provinces. More over Gandi ji was not the favor of partition and he considered
himself to be speaking for whole of the India and did not consider Muslims having a
separate nation. For Jinnah these beliefs of Gandi ji were unacceptable.
• Gandhi ji gave the impression that he did not support ‘’The two
nation Theory’’ according to which Hindus and Muslims were two
separate nations, where this now had become an official league
[Link] this was another reason for which the talks failed.
 Wavell Plan and the Simla Conference
The Second World War had caused many socio-economic problems in
the British Empire, especially when it came to maintaining their overseas
colonies. Thus the British Government saw it fit to grant India the freedom
it had been demanding for so long. In May 1945 Wavell visited London
and discussed his ideas with the British Government. These London talks
resulted in the formulation of a definite plan of action which would be
acceptable to both Muslim League and Congress for a the future of India.
The Wavell Plans proposed
• The Viceroy’s Executive Council was to have all Indian members except
the Viceroy himself and the Commander-in-Chief.
• The council was to have a ‘balanced representation’ of all Indians
including ‘caste-Hindus’, Muslims, Depressed Classes, Sikhs, etc.
Muslims were given 6 out of 14 members which accounted for more
than their share of the population
• The foreign affairs portfolio would be transferred from the Governor-
General to an Indian member. The defense would be handled by a
British general until the full transfer of power was made.
• The Viceroy/Governor-General would still have the power of veto but
its use would be minimal.

• What was Simla Conference of 1945 (4 Marks)

• Lord Wavell, the Viceroy of India, called a Conference in Shimla to resolve the political
issue in India. Mohammed Ali Jinnah represented the Muslim League while Maulana
Abul Kalam Azad represented the Congress. Though the actual representative of
Congress was Gandi Ji. However, there was a difference of opinion on the issue of the
representation of the Muslim seats in the Viceroy's Executive Council, and both sides
failed to reach a conclusion. Thus, this conference was declared a failure by Lord Wavell
on 14 July, 1946.
 Why Simla Conference failed in 1945 (7 Mark)

• Jinnah insisted that only League members could be the

Muslim representatives in the Council, and opposed to the
Congress nominating Muslim members. This was because
Jinnah wanted the League to be the sole representative of
Muslims in India. Congress would never agree to this demand
as Congress wanted to introduce its own Muslim members in
the congress party for the executive council seats.

• Another reason was the reservations of Muhammad Ali Jinnah

who believed that Congress along with its own Hindu seats
will ally itself with the other minority seats of Sikhs and
scheduled casts who will also vote for the interests of the
Congress. Thus completely undermining the position of
Muslim league in the executive council.
• As a result Lord Wavell could not see any solution to the
problem and closed the council on 14th July 1945. The British
attempt to find a solution has failed. However for Muslim
League, it succeeded to continue its demands for the
separate Muslim state. If Muslim league had accepted these
terms, then the congress would have completely dominated
the future politics of India.
 1945-1946 Elections
• In year 1945, The conservative part in England were defeated in
General elections. The new prime minister from the labor party was
committed to give self governance to India. After the failure of Simla
conference Lord Wavell was told to hold general and provincial elections
in India. Both parties launched election campaigns because they knew
that the elections were essential for the future of India. Congress
claimed to represent all Indians. It Faught on the policy of undivided
and independent India. The league on the other hand Faught the
elections with the policy of establishing an independent Muslim state.
The results were announced on Dec 1945.
• The Muslim league had a huge victory winning 87 % of the Muslim
votes, all 30 seats in the central legislative assembly and 446 of the
495 seats in the provincial elections. It took control of Bengal and
Sindh and was the largest party in Punjab. Though the Muslim league
could not perform well in NWFP now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it emerged
as the second largest party in India.
 Explain why Muslim League performed well in 1945-46 Elections ?
➢Since 1937, Muslims league had succeeded in getting its message across and
had become a force in Politics. It had learnt the lessons of 1937 elections
and campaigned effectively to let Muslims know exactly what it stood for.
➢The period of congress rule from 1937 to 1939 had Muslims realize that if
they did not stand up for their rites, they would suffer at the hands of
congress. The subcontinent in 1945 was a different place to that of 1937.
Now the Muslim league had passed the Pakistan resolution and Jinnah was
fighting to show that the league was an equal force in politics to congress.
➢The communal divide was much greater and the elections results showed
the split in India between the congress and the league.
What ever the reasons of success of the Muslim league it was clear there was no
settlement in India without its approval.
Cabinet Mission Plan 1946
 Celement Attle wanted to transfer
the power to India as soon as possible
New British Prime Minister
Clement Attle
Labour Party
July, 1945

In March 1946, the British Prime Minister

sent 3 British Cabinet ministers to bring
both Congress and Muslims League on the
table and find a political solution for the
future of India before the British departure
 Cabinet Mission members 1946

Sir Patrick Lawrence Stafford Cripps A.V Alexander

 1st Objectives of Cabinet Mission

It proposed that an Interim Government should be Set up to

rule India while the British withdrawal was organized

This government would form a commission that would be

made by the members of Provincial and Central legislatures
who were recently elected after the 1945 Elections

This commission would decide whether there should be one or

two states after the British had left
The mission tried to Talk to both Parties for three weeks to break the
Political dead lock but could not find any solution
On 16th May 1946, the cabinet mission proposed the following
Political design for India once British departed
India will be Undivided (Means No Pakistan)
There will be no separate Electorates
India will be a Union of 3 Tier Federations
by provincial Grouping

Provincial Groupings

SECTION A SECTION B SECTION C

 All three Sections will make their own Constitution
B And will have their own Assembly

C
A
Union or Centre (Will have its own Assembly)
The members of the Central assembly will be elected
After the central elections, electing the members from all three sections
A, B & C
 Response of Jinnah and Congress
• The League accepted it in its entirely in June 1946 because it felt that
the grouping of Muslim majority Provinces in a way meant more
power to Muslim provinces and ultimately the formation of Pakistan.
• The Nehru however stated that congress would not feel bound by the
plan once the British had left.

• This created an uncertainty in the Muslim league considering the

agreement might be overturned quickly once the British had gone.
Therefore Cabinet mission plan was rejected.
 Direct Action Plan
• After the Cabinet Mission, Muhammad Ali Jinnah feared that the British might leave
without partition.
• Jinnah feared Hindu domination and asked his fellow Indian Muslims to observe the
Direct Action Day.
• The main aim of Direct Action Day was to pressurize Hindus and British for the partition
by showing Muslims strength, unity and feelings towards Pakistan

Importance
• The Direct Action Day showed Muslim unity and strength as it eventually
pressurized British and Hindus to accept the partition.
• This Day was observed peacefully but in Calcutta, many Hindu-Muslim riots
broke out in which around 4000 Indians were killed.
• Seeing the riots and the human loss, the British realized the need for
partition for the peace of both the communities which was a crucial step
towards the creation of Pakistan.
 Direct Action Plan
• After the Cabinet Mission, Muhammad Ali Jinnah feared that the British might leave
without partition.
• Jinnah feared Hindu domination and asked his fellow Indian Muslims to observe the
Direct Action Day.
• The main aim of Direct Action Day was to pressurize Hindus and British for the partition
by showing Muslims strength, unity and feelings towards Pakistan

Importance
• The Direct Action Day showed Muslim unity and strength as it eventually
pressurized British and Hindus to accept the partition.
• This Day was observed peacefully but in Calcutta, many Hindu-Muslim riots
broke out in which around 4000 Indians were killed.
• Seeing the riots and the human loss, the British realized the need for
partition for the peace of both the communities which was a crucial step
towards the creation of Pakistan.
 3rd June plan
After the failure of Cabinet Mission Plan and the dead-lock by the National Congress and
Muslim League, the British Government decided to follow a new course of action. They
replaced Lord Wavell by Lord Mountbatten as the Viceroy. On 20thFebruary, 1947, Clement
Attlee, the British Prime Minister announced that the British rule in the Sub- continent will
come to end by 30th June, 1948. After arrival of Lord Mountbatten in the Sub-continent, he
negotiated with the political parties and realized that there is no solution of these problems
except partition of the Sub-continent. On 3rd June 1947, the plan was announced.

According to the 3rd June plan.

• Two states should be setup, India and Pakistan. The interim constitution of both the states
was the 1935 Government of India act.
• Each state was to have a dominion status and have an executive responsible to a
constituent assembly.
 3rd June plan
• Muslim Majority province should either vote to stay in India or join Pakistan. In Sindh and
Balochistan, the provincial legislatives (members/representatives) voted to join Pakistan.
• Both Bengal and Punjab had two decisions to make. Firstly on weather to join Pakistan. If
so they had to decide whether the provinces should be portioned into Muslim and non
muslim areas. Both decided that they should join Pakistan but their Muslim minority
areas should stay in India.
• The NWFP also joined Pakistan after holding referendum. The Muslim majority of Sylhet
in Assam joined the eastern wing of Pakistan.
 3rd June plan
In a press conference held the day after the 3rd June plan was announced, Mountbatten said
the final transfer of power might be brought forward from June 1948 to Aug 1947. This date
generally became accepted as the date when British rule would end. This meant that only 7
weeks were left to deal with the problems involved in partitioning British India.

• There was still a need to draw boundaries between Muslim and non Muslim areas
particularly in Bengal and Punjab.
• The issue of princes had to be resolved. What would happen if the prince went against
the wishes of the people in deciding which country to join.
• It was undecided what the division of the assets (Army, civil services and finances) was to
be.
• India had decided that Mountbatten should be the first governor general of India. Jinnah
was to be the Governor general of Pakistan. Pakistan's relations with Britian still had to be
resolved.
 3rd June plan
In a press conference held the day after the 3rd June plan was announced, Mountbatten said
the final transfer of power might be brought forward from June 1948 to Aug 1947. This date
generally became accepted as the date when British rule would end. This meant that only 7
weeks were left to deal with the problems involved in partitioning British India.

• There was still a need to draw boundaries between Muslim and non Muslim areas
particularly in Bengal and Punjab.
• The issue of princes had to be resolved. What would happen if the prince went against
the wishes of the people in deciding which country to join.
• It was undecided what the division of the assets (Army, civil services and finances) was to
be.
• India had decided that Mountbatten should be the first governor general of India. Jinnah
was to be the Governor general of Pakistan. Pakistan's relations with Britian still had to be
resolved.
 The Red Cliff Award
.
The demarcation of the boundary between Muslims and non-Muslim areas was not done till
14th August 1947.
• Mountbatten appointed Sir Cyril Radcliffe as the head of the boundary commission to
demarcate the borders, especially in Punjab and Bengal.
• Radcliffe’s team comprises of four assistants; two nominated by Congress and two by
Muslim League.
• On 16th August 1947, the decision of the boundary commission is known as Radcliffe
Award or Boundary Award was announced.
• The Radcliffe Award's decisions made the Muslim League disappointed.
• Calcutta was given to India even though it was surrounded by Muslim areas.
• Ferozpur and Gurdaspur both had Muslim majority but were also given to India in Punjab.
• Ferozpur was originally awarded to Pakistan by Radcliffe and the Muslim League had the
evidence that this decision was reverted because Radcliffe was pressurized.
• Jinnah declared the Radcliffe awards unjust and wrong, but the partition had been taken
place two days earlier.
 The Red Cliff Award
.
The demarcation of the boundary between Muslims and non-Muslim areas was not done till
14th August 1947.
• Mountbatten appointed Sir Cyril Radcliffe as the head of the boundary commission to
demarcate the borders, especially in Punjab and Bengal.
• Radcliffe’s team comprises of four assistants; two nominated by Congress and two by
Muslim League.
• On 16th August 1947, the decision of the boundary commission is known as Radcliffe
Award or Boundary Award was announced.
• The Radcliffe Award's decisions made the Muslim League disappointed.
• Calcutta was given to India even though it was surrounded by Muslim areas.
• Ferozpur and Gurdaspur both had Muslim majority but were also given to India in Punjab.
• Ferozpur was originally awarded to Pakistan by Radcliffe and the Muslim League had the
evidence that this decision was reverted because Radcliffe was pressurized.
• Jinnah declared the Radcliffe awards unjust and wrong, but the partition had been taken
place two days earlier.
. Independence Act 1947

➢ On 15 July 1947, the British Government passed the Indian

Independence Act.
➢ The Act stated the partition of two dominion independent states
by the names of India and Pakistan to be established by 15
August.
➢ Both the dominions will be able to pass any Act or Bill.
➢ The Government of India Act 1935 will be the temporary
constitution of both dominions until replaced.
➢ The Princely States will be given the right to join either of the
dominions.