Morning Star Textbook Solutions: Independence and Partition of India | History and Civics Class 10 ICSE PDF Download

Very Short Questions

Q2: What was the purpose of the Cabinet Mission?
Ans: The main aim of the Cabinet Mission was to engage in discussions with Indian leaders. 

•  The goal of these discussions was to establish complete self-government in India. 

Q3: In what way did the Cabinet Mission Plan try to preserve the unity of India?
Ans: The Cabinet Mission Plan tried to preserve the unity of India by providing the grouping of Muslim-majority provinces.

Q4: What was finally accepted in the Cabinet Mission Plan by the Congress?
Ans: The Congress accepted the long-term plan but rejected the proposal for an Interim Government.

Q5: What was finally accepted in the Cabinet Mission Plan by the Muslim League?
Ans: The Muslim League accepted the Cabinet Mission Plan entirely and asked the Viceroy to constitute an Interim Government.

Q6: Who refuse to implement the Interim Government Plan as proposed in the Cabinet Mission Plan?
Ans: The Viceroy refused to implement the Interim Government Plan as proposed in the Cabinet Mission Plan.

Q7: Which day was observed as the Direct Action Day by the League?
Ans: 16th August 1946.

Q8: What is said about Princely States in Mountbatten Plan?
Ans: The Mountbatten Plan mentions that the Princely States have the choice to join either of the two countries: India or Pakistan. 

•  This plan allows these states to decide their own future based on their preferences. 
•  The options provided give the Princely States the freedom to align with a dominion that they feel best suits their interests. 
•  The decision-making process is significant as it impacts the political landscape during the time of partition. 
•  Each Princely State would assess its unique situation before making a choice about joining India or Pakistan. 

Q9: What is stated about the Princely States in the Indian Independence Act 1947?
Ans: In the Independence Act 1947 the Princely States were given the choice to join either of the Dominions or to retain their independence.

Q10: To whom was the power to be transferred according to the Mountbatten Plan?
Ans: According to the Mountbatten Plan the transfer of power in India could be on the basis of the partition of the country. Power would be transferred to one whole or more States.

Q11: What last effort did Gandhiji make in order to prevent the partition of the country?
Ans: Gandhiji opposed the idea of partitioning India. 

•  He expressed that no matter what happens, even if India is completely in chaos, it will not lead to the creation of Pakistan. 
•  He strongly believed that the division would only happen over his dead body, showing his deep commitment to a united India. 
•  On the other hand, Jinnah remained firm in his stance regarding the partition. 

Q12: Who was elected as the President of the Constituent Assembly in 1946?
Ans: Dr. Rajendra Prasad.

Q13: Who replaced Lord Wavell as the Viceroy of India?
Or
Name the last British Viceroy of India.
Ans: Lord Mountbatten replaced Lord Wavell as the Viceroy of India.

Q14: What were the views of the, Congress on partition of the country?
Ans: Congress was against the partition of the country.

Short Questions – I

•  The Muslim League, despite winning in the elections, was unable to form a government in any province. 
•  This inability to govern led to increased demands for partition among the Muslim community. 
•  The situation highlighted the challenges faced by the Muslim League in the political landscape of the time. 

Q2: Mention two proposals of the Wavell’s Plan.
Ans: Two proposals of Wavell’s Plan are:
(i) The Viceroy’s Executive Council would have representatives from the two main communities i.e., the Hindus and the Muslims.
(ii) A British High Commissioner would live in India to represent Great Britains Commercial and other interests.

Q3: What was the reaction of Muslim League on the proposal of Lord Wavell.
Ans: The Muslim League accepted the proposal because the Hindus and the Muslims were to be equally represented in the Viceroy’s Executive Council, but it insisted that the right to appoint Muslims on the Executive Council of the Viceroy should entirely rest with the Muslim League.

Q4: On what grounds did the Cabinet Mission reject Jinnah’s demand for partition of India?
Ans: The Cabinet Mission rejected Jinnah’s demand for partition of India on the ground that partition would involve dislocation of communication network and would involve division of armed force and service personnel.

Q5: Give any two salient features of the Cabinet Mission Plan.
Ans: India will be a federation made up of British provinces and Indian states. 

•  The Federal Government will handle matters related to defence, foreign affairs, and communication. 
•  All other topics will be managed by the provinces. 

Q6: What was the view of the Congress and Muslim League on the grouping of the provinces as proposed in the Cabinet Mission Plan?
Ans: The Congress view on the grouping of the provinces was that it should have the option to join any group. The Muslim League were not prepared to compromise on the compulsory grouping of the provinces.

Q7: What were the recommendations of the Cabinet Mission Plan regarding the Princely States?
Ans: The recommendations of the Cabinet Mission Plan regarding Princely States were that they would not be under the direct control of the Union and they would themselves decide as to what powers they were to surrender.

Q8: What was mentioned in the Cabinet Mission Plan regarding provincial Autonomy?
Ans: The provinces would be free to from regional unions to which they would surrender some powers by mutual consent. There were to be 3 groups of provinces and each would have its separate Constitution and if any province wanted to opt out of the group after the first general electrion they could do so.

Q9: What were the views of the Sikhs and Scheduled Castes on the proposals of the Cabinet Mission Plan?
Ans: The Sikhs did not accept the proposals from the Cabinet Mission Plan because they were part of the North-Western Muslim Bloc.

• The Scheduled Castes believed that these proposals were deceptive since no seats were set aside for them.
• Only one seat was offered to the Scheduled Castes in the Interim Government.

Q10: Why did the Congress reject the League’s claim of having the exclusive right for nominating members of the Muslim quota in the Interim Government?
Ans: The Congress rejected the League’s claim of having the exclusive right for nominating members of the Muslim Quota in the interim Government because it did not want to accept an artificial party with the Muslim League in the formation of a National Government.

Q11: What is referred to as the ‘Great Calcutta Killing’?
Ans: On the ‘Direct Action Day’ 16th August, 1946 a section of the people in Calcutta went on a rampage, arson, looting and murder. Nearly 5,000 people were killed and 15,000 injured. This violence continued for four days. The situation was encouraged by the Muslim League and the British administration remained paralyzed. This episode is known as the ‘Great Calcutta Killing’.

Q12: How did Jinnah justify his stand to resort to ‘Direct Action’?
Ans: Jinnah justified his stand to resort to ‘Direct Action’ by stating that British had machine guns to enforce their will, the Congress had the weapon of civil resistance, therefore, the Muslims should also prepare for self-defence and self-preservation by ‘Direct Action’.

Q13: What were the two proposals related to the Princely states in the Mountbatten Plan.
Ans: The two proposals related to princely states in Mountbatten plan were:
(i) All treaties in agreements between the British Government and rulers of Indian States will lapse.
(ii) They would be free to associate themselves in either of the Dominions i.e., India or Pakistan or to remain Independent.

Q14: How were the borders of the two new Dominions to be demarcated according to the Indian Independence Act of 1947?
Ans: According to Indian Independence Act, Pakistan was to comprise the territories of Sind, British Baluchistan, North-West Frontier Province, the West Punjab and the East Bengal. The exact boundaries were to be determined by a Boundary Commission.

Q15: State any two reasons to justify why the Congress accepted the Mountbatten Plan?
Ans: The Congress accepted the Mountbatten Plan out of concern for integrity and unity of India. According to Sardar Patel if it (Congress) would not have done so, India would have fallen to bits and pieces and completely ruined. Further communal riots compelled the Congress to accept the plan to avoid further bloodshed.

Short Questions – II

•  The Congress believed that it represented all Indians, including both Hindus and Muslims, regardless of where they lived in the world. 
•  Although Jinnah referred to the Wavell Plan as a "snare" after careful examination, the Congress agreed to its proposals. 
• Gandhiji stated that the plan was genuine in its intention and held the potential for independence. 

Q2: Give the reasons for the Muslim League’s acceptance and later rejection of the Cabinet Mission plan.
Ans: The League accepted it in its entirety on June 6, 1946, because it felt that the grouping of Muslim majority provinces in a way meant the formation of Pakistan. The league asked Wavell, the Viceroy, to constitute an Interim Government.
Election to the Constituent Assembly were held in July 1946, in which the Congress obtained two-third majority. The Congress had an overwhelming majority in the Constituent Assembly. The League fearer that it would be out votes in the Assembly. It also feared that the British withdrawal from India would mean transfer of power to the Hindus, who were in a majority in India.

Q3: Why did the Cabinet Mission Plan reject the demand for Pakistan?
Ans: The Cabinet Mission Plan rejected the demand for Pakistan because:
(i) The partition as claimed by the Muslim League would not solve the communal problem.
(ii) A small Pakistan would not be viable if it is in two halves: One in the East the other in the West.
(iii) Partition would involve dislocation of communications network as well as division of armed forces and service personal along communal lines.

Q4: In terms of the Independence Act of 1947 Bengal and Punjab were also to be divided If the people so desired. In this connection explain what was done to determine the choice of the people.
Ans: According to the provisions of the partition, the Provincial Assemblies of Bengal and Punjab would meet representing the Hindu majority and the Muslim majority districts and decide through majority vote whether they wanted the division of the province or not. In Sylhet district of East Bengal a plebiscite would be held to determine the choice whether to join India or Pakistan.

Q5: Why the Muslim League earlier rejected and later participated in Interim Government.
Ans:  On October 13, 1946, Jinnah sent a letter to the Viceroy stating that the Muslim League had decided to join the Interim Government, changing its earlier position. 

•  Following this decision, on October 25, 1946, representatives from the Muslim League were included in the government led by Jawaharlal Nehru. 
•  However, soon after, disagreements arose over how to interpret the Cabinet Missions Plan. 
•  These disagreements led to the Muslim League creating a difficult situation. 
•  At this time, although the Muslim League participated in the Interim Government, it chose not to join the Constituent Assembly. 

Q6: The Muslim League decided to observe the Direct Action Day on 16th August, 1946. In this context briefly discuss about its result.
Ans: The League fixed August 16,1946 as the day for observing the Direct Action Day throughout the country. There were clashes and communal riots all over the country.
Nearly 5,000 lives were lost, over 15,000 persons were injured and many became homeless. Property worth crores of rupees was destroyed. All these incidents widened the gap between the Muslim League and the Congress and even between the Hindus and the Muslims.

Q7: By pursuing Direct Action Plan, the Muslim League resorted to violent activities. Discuss.
Ans: The communal violence that erupted as a result of ‘Direct Action Day’ was the worst of its kind ever seen in the history of India. Muslims organised demonstrations, strikes and processions. The city of Calcutta witnessed riots and scenes of barbarity of worst kind. Over 5000 people died in violence and three times this number were wounded besides loss of property. The communal violence later also spread to Noakhali, some parts of Bihar and even Punjab.

Q8: What did congress leaders do when the Muslim League resorted to violent activities after pursuing Direct Action plan. How worst was the communal violence?
Ans: Congress leaders, including Gandhiji, traveled on foot from one location to another in Noakhali. 

•  He even went on a 24-hour fast on the night when the transfer of power happened. 
• Jawaharlal Nehru, despite being busy in Delhi with the transfer of power, took time to visit Bihar to personally oversee the actions of the Congress ministry there. 
•  Other Congress leaders were also present, but the Chief Minister of Bengal, Mr. Suhrawardy, did not take any action to stop the communal violence. 
•  Some government officials even supported those who were causing the violence. 

Q9: Describe briefly the events that led to Mr. Clement Attlee’s announcement of 20th February, 1947. With reference to this brief about the formation of Interim Government by the Congress on 2nd September, 1946.
Ans: In Calcutta, on 16th August, 1946, the Muslim League held demonstrations, hartals and also hoisted Muslim League’s flag. But their activities soon took a violent shape. There were riots, looting and killing in and around Calcutta. The Muslim League ministry could not control the situation. There was extreme loss of life and property. Meanwhile, the Congress formed the Interim Government on 2nd September, 1946. The Muslim League observed it as a day of mourning. Most of the Muslims all over the country were asked to display black flags. The result was that violence broke out in Bombay, Bengal, Bihar and also in Punjab. Gandhiji said, ‘we are not in midst of Civil War but we are nearing it.’

Q10: Prime Minister Attlee’s announcement on February 20, 1947, was attempted to end the deadlock in India and marked the last fe w months of British Rule. In this context write short notes on Attlee’s announcement of 20th February, 1947.
Or
Mention any three salient features of the Atlee’s announcement.
Ans: The Congress and the Muslim League could not work together for long. The Muslim League went on harping on its demand for division of India. Jinnah said, ‘We shall resist anything that militates against the Pakistan demand’. The British Government watched the situation with utmost vigilance, was then compelled to change its policy of saving India from its division into two. The Prime Minister of England, Mr. Clement Attlee, announced on 20th February, 1947.
(i) Britain would withdraw from India and transfer power to responsible Indians by June 1948.
(ii) If no agreement was arrived, Britain would still withdraw and hand over power to one or more than one Government.
(iii) Lord Mountbatten was to replace Lord Wavell as the new Viceroy of India.

Q11: What was the place of Princely States in Mountbatten Plan.
Ans: The Indian Independence Act 1947 stated that on the withdrawal of the British Empire, the Indian Princely States would become independent. Each Princely State shall be at liberty to join either India or Pakistan. His Majesty’s Government and the rulers of Indian States or any authority in tribal areas shall lapse from 15th August, 1947. The words Emperor of India shall be omitted from the Royal Style and Titles.

Q12: How were the people of Punjab and Bengal affected by the communal riots?
Ans: The people were badly affected by communal riots. Thousands of innocent people both in Punjab and Bengal started moving from one dominion to the other. Lakhs of people thus became refugees both in India and Pakistan. Fear and hatred gripped both the nations.

Q13: In reference to the Indian Independence Act of 1947, discuss what happened to Princely States.
Ans: In terms of the Independence Act 1947 the Princely States became independent. All the powers which vested in British were terminated. Some Princely States on their own initiative joined Indian Union. In some cases there was some military intervention to make them agree to democratic aspirations of people.

Q14: What was achieved by this ‘Treaty’of Peace without War’?
Ans: India gained freedom through this Treaty.

• The country was divided, leading to the creation of a new nation, Pakistan.
• British officials and the British Army departed from India.
• This departure caused new challenges to arise.
• There was extreme communal violence that occurred.
• Although peace was eventually restored, many thousands of people lost their lives.
• Many lakhs of refugees had to move to the Indian side due to communal conflicts.
• Despite the violence, the Independence Act was a significant event in Indian history.
• It marked the beginning of a new era of Self Government in India.
• This was a form of governance that India had never experienced before in its history.

Q15: Lord Samuel described the Indian Independence Act as Treaty of Peace without War’. In this connection state why did Lord Samuel say so?
Ans: The Indian Independence Act was the only one of the many acts which both Congress and Muslim League signed with the British. Never in the history had Britain voluntarily abdicated a Colonial territory without bloodshed or war. So the Indian Independence Act was described as ‘unique’ in history. It is this what Lord Samuel called ‘Treaty of Peace without War’.

Picture Based Questions

(i) Identify the Viceroy in the picture.
(ii) Why was he sent to India?
Ans: (i) Lord Mountbatten.
(ii) Lord Clement Atlee sent Lord Mountbatten as the Viceroy of India to resolve the communal violence in India. He was given powers to negotiate with the leaders of different communities and help the two major parties, that is, the Indian National Congress and The Muslim League, reach an agreement.

Q2: With reference to the picture given answer the following:

(i) Identify the event in the above picture. Name the lady seen in the given picture.
(ii) Mention the year when the event took place.
Ans: (i) The event in the given picture is the swearing ceremony of Jawahar Lal Nehru as the Prime Minister of Independent India. The lady seen in the picture is Lady Mountbatton, the wife of Lord Mountabaton the first Governor General of India.
(ii) The event took place in 1947.

Q3: In the above historic photograph, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru is seen giving his famous speech in the Constituent Assembly on August 14, 1947. In this context, mention the Provisions of the Indian Independence Act of 1947 regarding the Constituent Assemblies.

Ans: The Constituent Assembly was formed under the Cabinet Mission, consisting of 385 members.

• Out of these members, 292 would represent the provinces, while 93 would represent Indian states.
• The purpose of the assembly was to create provincial constitutions for their respective groups.
• After establishing the provincial constitutions, the assembly would come together to draft the Union Constitution.
• Initially, the Muslim League agreed to this proposal but later decided to reject it.
• The government then prepared the Indian Independence Act in 1947.
• This act outlined that India would be divided into two dominions, each with defined boundaries.
• The main points regarding the Constituent Assemblies in the Indian Independence Act included:
  • The Constituent Assemblies would create the Constitutions for both dominions separately.
  • They would also decide whether to remain part of the Commonwealth or not.
  • Each dominion's Constituent Assembly would have the authority similar to Central Legislatures and make laws for that dominion.