Spectrum Test: Independence With Partition - UPSC MCQ

Main Points of Attlee's Statement 

• A deadline of June 30, 1948, was fixed for power even if the Indian politicians had not agreed on the constitution. 

• The British would relinquish power either to so form of central government or in some areas to the existing provincial governments if the constituent assembly was not fully representative, i.e., if the Muslim majority provinces did not join 

• British powers and obligations vis-a-vis the princely states would lapse with the transfer of power, but these would not be transferred to any successor government in British India. 

• Mountbatten would replace Wavell as the viceroy. 

• The statement contained clear hints of partition and even Balkanization of the country into numerous states and was, in essence, a reversion of the Cripps Offer.

• The government hoped that a fixed date would shock the parties into an agreement on the main question. 

• The government was keen to avert the developing constitutional crisis. 

• The government hoped to convince the Indians of British sincerity. 

• The truth in Wavell's assessment could no longer be denied--that an irreversible decline of the government's authority had taken place.

• But the illusory hopes of a settlement were soon shattered as the statement proved to be a prelude to the showdown. 

• The League launched a civil disobedience movement to overthrow the coalition government in Punjab, as it felt emboldened by the statement.

• Mountbatten proved more firm and quick in taking decisions than his predecessors because he was given more powers to decide things on the spot. 

• He also took advantage of the firm decision of the British government to quit at the earliest. 

• His task was to explore unity and division options until October 1947 and then advise the British government on the transfer of power. 

• But he soon discovered that the broad contours of the scenario to emerge were discernible even before he came to India. The Cabinet Mission Plan was a dead horse, and Jinnah was obstinate about not settling for anything less than a sovereign state.

• Sindh would take its own decision. 

• Referendums in NWFP and Sylhet district of Bengal would decide the fate of these areas.

1. It would ensure a peaceful and quick transfer of power:

• This was a crucial factor in accepting Dominion Status as it would allow for a smooth transition of authority from the British to the Indian political leaders.


• It would prevent any potential conflicts or disruptions that could arise during the transfer of power.

2. It was more important for Congress to assume the authority to check the explosive situation:

• Given the volatile political climate and the growing demand for independence, it was crucial for Congress to establish its authority and control over the situation.


• Accepting Dominion Status allowed Congress to have a significant role in governing the country and shaping its future.

3. It would allow for some much-needed continuity in the Bureaucracy and the Army:

• By accepting Dominion Status, the existing bureaucracy and army could continue to function without any major disruptions.


• This ensured stability and continuity in the governance and defense of the country.

Therefore, Congress accepted Dominion Status for a combination of reasons including ensuring a peaceful transfer of power, assuming authority to address the explosive situation, and maintaining continuity in the bureaucracy and army.

• The Act provided two independent dominions of India and Pakistan with effect from August 15, 1947. 

• Each dominion was to have a governor-general to be responsible for the effective operation of the Act. 

• The constituent assembly of each new dominion was to exercise the legislature's powers of that dominion, and the existing Central Legislative Assembly and the Council of States were to be automatically dissolved. 

• For the transitional period, i.e., till a new constitution was adopted by each dominion, the two dominions' governments were to be carried on following the Government of India Act, 1935.

• Between March and May of 1947, Mountbatten decided that the Cabinet Mission Plan had become untenable and formulated an alternative plan. 

• This plan envisaged the transfer of power to separate provinces (or to a confederation if formed before the transfer). Punjab and Bengal were given the option to vote for partition of their provinces. 

• The various units thus formed along with the princely states (rendered independent by lapse of paramountcy) would have the option of joining India or Pakistan or remaining separate. The plan was quickly abandoned after Nehru reacted violently to it.

• The referendum in Sylhet resulted in the incorporation of that district in East Bengal. Two boundary commissions, one in respect of each province, were constituted to demarcate the new provinces' boundaries. 

• The referendum in NWFP decided in favour of Pakistan, the Provincial Congress refraining from the referendum. Balochistan and Sindh threw in their lot with Pakistan.

• For Britain, the dominion status offered a chance to keep India in the Commonwealth, even if temporarily, considering the economic strength, defence potential and greater value of trade and investment in India.

• Mountbatten's formula was to divide India but retain maximum Unity.