With reference to the Partition Plan
National Movement: 1915-1947 (10)With reference to the Partition Plan, answer the following:
- (i) Name the last Viceroy of India. (ii) State any two reasons for him to come to India.
- Mention any three proposals under his plan.
- State any four reasons for the Congress to finally accept the Plan.
Answer
(a) (i) Lord Mountbatten
(ii) He came to India for the purpose of taking necessary steps for the transfer of power to the Indians. /To restore peace among the two sections of Congress and the League. / To present a plan for the partition.
(b) Three proposals under his Plan:
- Partition - into two dominions
- Relations between the two new Dominions -to decide what relation to have between each other and the commonwealth
- A Boundary Commission-to settle the boundaries
- Princely States-treaties would end, and they could decide to join either of the dominions or remain independent
- Bengal & Punjab-legislative assemblies to decide
- Sindh-legislative assembly to decide
- N.W. Frontier Province-to decide by a referendum
- District of Sylhet-to decide by a referendum
- Constituent Assembly-separate Constituent assembly for both the parties
- Transfer of Power-would take place before 1948.
(c) Acceptance of Plan:
- Large scale communal riots
- League joined Interim government to obstruct and not to cooperate.
- Only alternative to Partition was a Federation with a weak centre.
- Any further continuation of British rule would mean a greater calamity for India. /People and leaders were fed up with their rule in India/wanted to get rid of the British rule by paying any price.
- Further delay could find India in a Civil War.
- Leaders felt that partition would aid the Constitutions of separate electorates.
- Exam Year: 2020