Notes-Class 8-History-Chapter-12- India gains Independence-Maharashtra Board

Introduction:

• During the Second World War, demand for Indian independence was at an all-time high, as was the freedom struggle.
• The revolt of Navy and Air Force shook the foundation of the British empire.
• The Indian National Congress was formed on the secularist principle.
• The national struggle had included people of all castes and religions.
• The British government's Divide and Rule policy laid the groundwork for the establishment of the Muslim League.
• The followers of the Muslim League resorted to violence.
• The British government realised that it was necessary to take a serious note of it. They realised that their rule in India will not last long.
• Accordingly, the British government started preparing plans for granting Independence to India.

Demand of independent Muslim state :

• The idea of an independent Muslim state was put forth by Dr. Muhammad
• Iqbal in 1930.
• The name Pakistan was coined by Chaudhary Rahmat Ali.
• The two nation theory was propounded and a separate Muslim state was demanded by Barrister Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
• He and the Muslim League falsely held propaganda that the Indian National Congress was a Hindu organisation which would not benefit the Muslims.

Wavell Plan

• Viceroy Lord Wavell created a plan in 1945. Its provisions included: (i) adequate representation of Dalits, minorities, and Muslims in the Central and Provincial Legislatures. (ii) Give Hindus and Muslims equal representation on the Viceroy's Executive Council.
• At the meeting of all major political parties at Shimla, Barrister Jinnah insisted that only the Muslim League should have the right to suggest the names of the Muslim representatives to Executive Council.
• Congress opposed it and thus Wavell plan was not successful.

Cabinet Mission :

Attlee's Announcement :

• The policy of the British Government was stated by the Prime Minister Attlee.
• He accepted the right of the Indians to make their own constitution.
• It stated that the issues about minorities would not come in the way of India's Independence.

Cabinet Mission Plan :

• In March, 1946, a delegation consisted of Pethick Lawrence, Stafford Cripps and A. V. Alexander came to India.
• It is known as Cabinet Mission.
• Some provisions were not acceptable to the Congress.
• As there was no provision to create an independent Muslim state it was not acceptable to the Muslim League.

Direct Action Day

• Because the demand for Pakistan was not met, the Muslim League resolved to take direct action.
• Accordingly, 16 August 1946, was designated to be marked as 'Direct Action Day' by the Muslim League.
• Muslim League supporters resorted to violence.
• Various sections of the country had Hindu-Muslim riots. There were massacres in the Bengal province's Noakhali region.
• Gandhiji went there without thinking about his own life in order to put an end to the violence.

Establishment of Interim Government

• Interim Government formed by Viceroy Lord Wcwell under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru.
• Muslim League initially did not participate but later joined the interim government.
• But since the leaders of Muslim League adopted the policy of obstruction, hence the Interim Government could not work smoothly.

Mountbatten Plan

• England's Prime Minister Atlee announced the transfer of power would be before June 1948.
• He appointed Lord Mountbatten as the Viceroy of India who was to arrange the transfer of power.
• He held discussions with the leaders of India.
• Mountbatten prepared a plan for partition of India i.e., creation of two independent nations, India and Pakistan.
• The Indian National Congress opposed the plan.
• But, due to the adamant behaviour of the Muslim League, the Indian National
• Congress accepted the Plan, with complete helplessness.
• On the basis of Mountbatten Plan, Indian Independence Act was passed.

Indian Independence Act

• On the basis of Mountbatten Plan, it was enacted by the British Parliament on 18th July, 1947.
• It provided for the partition of India and establishment of two Independent States of India and Pakistan on 15^th August. I947.
• Thereafter, the authority of the British Parliament would end.
• The British control over the princely states would come to an end and they would have freedom to join either India or Pakistan or remain independent.

India wins Independence :

• The Constituent Assembly was in session till the midnight hour of 14^th August, 1947.
• At the stroke of midnight, India became independent with lowering of the Union Jack and unfurling of the tricolour flag of India.
• India attained Independence from the Slavery of 150 years.
• Indian people grieved due to the partition of the country and the violence thereafter.
• Gandhiji did not join the celebration of independence as he was in Bengal to maintain peace and communal harmony.

Assassination of Gandhiji :

Gandhiji was brutally assassinated by Nathuram Godse on 30th January 1948. He strove to preserve Hindu-Muslim unity and laid down his life for the same cause.