Question

Which of the following statement is/are correct?
(I) Wavell Plan was introduced in 1945 July
(II) Cabinet Mission reached India in 1946, March
(III) Muslim League called for Direct Action in 1946, August
(IV) Mount Batten announced plan for dividing India in 1947, August

• A. Only (I)
• B. Only (I) and (IV)
• C. Only (II) and (III)
• D. Only (IV)

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Only (II) and (III)

Key Events in Indian Independence Movement

Wavell Plan (Incorrect Statement)

• The Wavell Plan was proposed by Lord Wavell, the Viceroy of India, on June 14, 1945.

• It was an attempt to resolve the political deadlock in India and aimed to restructure the Viceroy's Executive Council with Indian members, except for the Viceroy and Commander-in-Chief.

• The Simla Conference was convened from June 25 to July 14, 1945, to discuss this plan, but it failed due to disagreements between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League over the composition of the Executive Council, particularly regarding Muslim representation.

Cabinet Mission (Correct Statement)

• The Cabinet Mission arrived in India on March 24, 1946.

• It consisted of three British Cabinet members: Lord Pethick-Lawrence (Secretary of State for India), Sir Stafford Cripps (President of the Board of Trade), and A.V. Alexander (First Lord of the Admiralty).

• The primary objective of the mission was to discuss and plan for the transfer of power to Indian leadership and suggest a framework for India's independence.

• The mission proposed a federal structure for India with a weak center and provinces grouped into three sections (A, B, C) to address the demands of both Congress and the Muslim League, though its long-term plan for a united India eventually failed.

Direct Action Day (Correct Statement)

• The Muslim League, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, declared August 16, 1946, as 'Direct Action Day'.

• This call was made after the Muslim League withdrew its acceptance of the Cabinet Mission Plan and aimed to assert its demand for a separate Muslim state (Pakistan).

• The day led to widespread communal riots, particularly in Calcutta (now Kolkata), marking a significant escalation in violence and further polarizing the political landscape between Hindus and Muslims.

Mountbatten Plan (Incorrect Statement)

• The Mountbatten Plan, also known as the June 3rd Plan, was announced on June 3, 1947.

• Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, formulated this plan for the partition of British India into two independent dominions: India and Pakistan.

• The plan laid down the principles for the partition of Punjab and Bengal, the creation of two separate constituent assemblies, and gave princely states the option to accede to either dominion or remain independent (though most acceded).

• The Indian Independence Act of 1947, which gave legal effect to the partition and independence, was passed by the British Parliament on July 18, 1947, and came into force on August 15, 1947