ICSE Class 10 History Goyal Brothers Solutions Chapter 10 Independence and the Partition of India

Goyal Brothers Prakashan Class 10 History Solutions Chapter 10 Independence and the Partition of India

Question 1.
When and at which Session of the Muslim League a resolution for the partition of India was formally passed?
Answer:
In the Lahore Session of 1940, the Muslim League passed a resolution that the areas in which the Muslims are numerically in majority, should be grouped to constitute an independent state.

Question 2.
Name the persons who constituted the Cabinet Mission.
Answer:

• Lord Pethick Lawrence
• Sir Stafford Cripps
• Mr. Alexander.

Question 3.
What was the purpose of sending Cabinet Mission to India in 1946?
Answer:
Their main purpose was to bring about a settlement between the League and the Congress for speedy transfer of power from British to Indians hands.

Question 4.
Mention any two reasons why Cabinet Mission rejected Muslim League’s demand for India’s partition.
Answer:
Cabinet Mission rejected Muslim League’s demancTfcrr India’s partition because partition was not an acceptable solution to the communal problem. Secondly, two halves of the proposed Pakistan state (West Punjab and East Punjab) would be separated by seven hundred miles, communication between them would depend on the goodwill of India.

Question 5.
Mention any two recommendations (Proposals) of the Cabinet Mission.
Answer:

1. There was to be a Federal union including both British India and the Princely states.
2. The mission recommended the formation of the Interim Government at Centre. For the time being the Viceroy would reconstitute his Executive Council consisting of representatives of all communities.

Question 6.
How did the Cabinet Mission Plan accept the principle of Provincial Autonomy?
Answer:
The Cabinet Mission Plan accept the principle of Provincial Autonomy as all subjects other than the Central subjects i.e. defence, foreign affairs and communications would be under the control of the Provinces. Thus the proposals accepts the principle of Provincial Autonomy. The Princely States would retain all subjects and powers other than those ceded to the Union.

Question 7.
Name any two provisions included in ‘Group A’ as per the Cabinet Mission Plan.
Answer:
Group ‘A’ would include Madras, Bombay, U.P., Bihar, Central Provinces and Orissa.

Question 8.
Name any two provisions included in ‘Group C’ as per the Cabinet Mission Plan.
Answer:
Group ‘C’ included Bengal and Assam.

Question 9.
Why did the Congress finally accept the Cabinet Mission Plan?
Answer:
The Congress finally accepted the Cabinet Mission Plan because it preserved the unity of India. Congress agreed to join the Constituent Assembly with a view to frame the Constitution of a united and democratic India.

Question 10.
Why did the Muslim League accept Cabinet Mission’s proposals?
Answer:
The Muslim League, accpeted the Cabinet Mission’s proposals on June 6, 1946 because it felt that the grouping of Muslim Majority provinces in a way meant the formation of Pakistan.

Question 11.
Mention any two Proposals contained in the Mountbatten Plan of 3rd June, 1947.
Answer:

1. The partition of Bengal and Punjab was proposed, provided that the Legislative Assembly of the two provinces decided in favour of partition.
2. A separate Constituent Assembly would be constituted for those parts of India, which decided in favour of partition.

Question 12.
What did the Mountbatten Plan provide in regard to the Princely States?
Answer:
The Plan stated that all treaties concluded with them would come to an end. They would thus, be free to associate themselves with either of the dominions or to remain independent.

Question 13.
Mention any two provisions of the Indian Independence Act, 1947.
Answer:
The Act provided for the creation of the independent dominions from 15th August, 1947 to be known as India and Pakistan. Secondly, the office of the Secretary of State for India was abolished.

Question 14.
What did the Indian Independence Act lay down about the Princely States?
Answer:
The Act laid down that all powers and authority exercised by His Majesty in relation to the Princely states was to be terminated.

Question 15.
Who was the first and last Governor-General of the Indian origin?
Answer:
C. Rajagopalchari was the First and last Governor-General of Indian origin.

Question 16.
How did the Sikhs react to the Cabinet Mission’s proposals?
Answer:
The Sikhs rejected the Cabinet Mission’s proposals because it did not safeguard their interests, particularly they felt that their interests would not be safe in the Muslim dominated group, where they would be at the mercy of the Muslim League.

Question 17.
How did the Scheduled Castes react to the Cabinet Mission’s proposals?
Answer:
The Scheduled Castes felt the proposals as unacceptable, because no seats were reserved for them in the Legislatures and only one seat was offered to them in the Interim Government.

Structured Questions

Question 1.
The Cabinet Mission had pointed out a few serious consequences of the Partition of India. Mention any four reasons why Cabinet Mission rejected Muslim League’s demand for India’s Partition.
Answer:
Muslim League’s demand for Pakistan was rejected by the Cabinet Mission because of many reasons and they are :
(i) It would not provide an acceptable solution to the communal problem. The size of the non-muslim minorities in Pakistan would be very considerable. The Commission saw no justification for including within Pakistan those areas of Punjab, Bengal and Assam in which the population was predominantly non-Muslim.

(ii) Two halves of the proposed Pakistan State (West Punjab and East Bengal) would be seperated by some seven hundred miles. Communications between them would depend on the goodwill of India.

(iii) The armed forces and the postal and telegraph systems had been built up for India as a whole. To disintegrate them would gravely injure both parts of India.

(iv) Partition would make the problem of the Princely States more complex.

Question 2.
Explain the following proposals of the Cabinet Mission to bring about a political settlement for the speedy transfer of power from British to Indian hands :
(a) A Federal Union including both the British India and Princely States
(b) Subjects to be retained by the Provinces and Princely States
(c) Setting up a Constituent Assembly
(d) Interim Government
Answer:
Having failed to bring about an agreement between the Congress and the League, the Mission put forward the following proposals :
(a) A Federal Union :
There was to be a Federal Union including both British India and the Princely States. The Central Government was to have only three subjects under its jurisdiction, namely, defence, foreign affairs and communications. Of course, it would have the power to raise the finances required for these subjects.

(b) The Subjects to be retained by the Provinces and the Princely States :
All subjects other than the Central subjects would be under the control of the Provinces. The Princely States would retain all subjects and powers other than those ceded to the Union.

(c) Three-tiered Constitution for India :
A Constitution Assembly would frame the Union Constitution. It was to consist of 385 members – the Provinces were to elect 292 members, whereas Princely States were allocated 93 seats.

After a preliminary meeting the Constitution Assembly was to split into three sections. Members of all the three Groups would frame Provincial Constitutions for the Provinces included in each Group. They would also decide whether any Regional Constitution should be set up for those Provinces.

Finally, the Constituent Assembly would meet again jointly and frame the Union Constitution. Thus the Cabinet Mission proposed a Federal Union with three tiers : the Provinces, the Regional Groups of Provinces and a Union Centre.

(d) An Interim Government :
The Cabinet Mission recommended the formation of an Interim Government at the centre. For the time being, the Viceroy would reconstitute his Executive Council consisting of representatives of all communities.

Question 3.
The Muslim League accepted the Cabinet Mission Plan because it saw in ‘Grouping of Provinces’ the seeds of Pakistan. In this context answer the following questions :
(a) How were the Provinces proposed to be grouped under the Cabinet Mission Plan?
(b) What was the Congress viewpoint regarding grouping of the Provinces?
Answer:
(a) The Provinces would be free to form Groups and each Group would be like a Regional Union or Sub-Federation. Hence, there would be Group ‘A’, Group ‘B’ and Group ‘C’.
Group ‘A’ would include Madras, Bombay, U.P., Bihar, Central Provinces and Orissa.
Group ‘B’ Comprised of Punjab, NWFP and Sindh.
Group ‘C’ included Bengal and Assam.

(b) The Congress regarded the grouping of provinces as optional not compulsory. This was important in view of the fact that Assam in the proposed Group ‘C’ had a Congress Government at that time. The Congress advised there representatives the Assam to join the group which they liked.

Question 4.
Lord Mountbatten had been sent with a definite object of transferring power to India. In this context :
(a) Mention the broad thrust of Clement Attlee’s Announcement of 1947
(b) Explain any six features of the Mountbatten Plan.
Answer:
(a) The communal riots were at the peak. The interim government was not functioning properly due to the differences between the Congress and the League. Forced by circumstances, Mr. Attlee, the PM of England declared on 20th Februrary, 1947 that the British Government would leave India before 30th June, 1948.

The PM declared that even if the Indian leaders failed to come to an agreement by that time, the British would withdraw and hand over power to one, or more than one Central Government.

(b) Lord Mountbatten assumed office as Viceroy on 24th March, 1947. After many consultations with prominent leaders, he announced his plan on 3rd June, 1947. The salient features of the Mountbatten plan were as follows :

• The country would be divided into two Dominions i.e., India and Pakistan.
• A plebiscite was to be held in the province of NWFP to ascertain whether the people of that province wanted to join India or Pakistan.
• The provinces of Assam, Bengal and Punjab were also to be divided.
• A Boundary Commission was to be appointed to mark the boundaries of the two countries.
• The Princely States would have the option to join the either of the two Dominions or to remain independent.
• A separate Constituent Assembly would be constituted for those parts of India which decided in favour of partition.
• It was for the two dominions to decide what relations they would have with the British Common Wealth and each other.
• The British Parliament would pass an act for the transfer of power before 15th August, 1947.

Question 5.
Mountbatten’s Plan provided for the partition of India into two Dominions. Describe the reasons for the acceptance of India’s partition by the Congress.
Answer:
The All India Congress Committee accepted the Mountbatten Plan on 15th June, 1947. The Congress reluctantly accepted the Mountbatten Plan for the partition of India because of the following reasons.

(i) The large scale communal riots that engulfed the whole country convinced that only solution to the communal problem lay in the partition of India. Partition was considered better than the unwarranted slaughter of innocent persons.

(ii) Difficulties of administration due to non-cooperative attitude of Muslims league, which had joined the Interim Government on October, 26, 1946. National leaders were now convinced that it was not possible to carry on and there must be either partition or open war with the League.

(iii) The only alternative to partition was a Federation with a weak Centre. Though the disruptive force’s dynastic, communal and regional could be kept under control, only by a strong Centre. A smaller India with a strong Central authority was better than a bigger State with a weak Centre.

(iv) The leaders felt that partition would rid the Constitution of separate electorates and any other undemocratic procedures. India could evolve a truly secular and democratic polity. Lastly, the leaders felt that further delay in the transfer of power could find India in the midst of civil war. Thus, the Congress had to accept the scheme of partition.

The Indian leaders had mixed feelings towards Cabinet Mission’s proposals. In this context describe :
(a) The partial acceptance of the Cabinet Mission Plan by the Congress
(b) The reaction of the Muslim League to the Cabinet Mission’s proposals
(c) Reaction of the Sikhs and that of the Scheduled Castes to the Plan.
Answer:
(a) In the beginning, both the Congress and the Muslim League criticised the plan and hesitated to accept it. But, the Mission removed their doubts, as a result, Congress accepted the plan with some reservations. It accepted only that part of the scheme which dealt with the constitution making. Infact, it considered the Constituent Assembly as a sovereign body for drafting the Constitution.

It also regarded the grouping of the Provinces as optional and not compulsory. However, it rejected the scheme of Interim Government because of its limited status and power and also because Congress was given parity with the Muslim League in the formation of the Provisional Government.

(b) Intially, the League criticised the proposals, because the demand for Pakistan had not been accepted in the clear-cut terms. However, on 6th June, 1946 the League accepted the Cabinet Mission’s proposals as it saw in the Plan, the seeds of Pakistan. It further authorised Mr. Jinnah to negotiate with the Viceroy with regard to the formation of the Interim Government.

(c) The Sikhs were against the division of India and the Plan of the grouping of Provinces and a weak Centre. They rejected the Plan completely because it did not safeguard their interests, particularly they felt that their interest would not be safe in the Muslim dominated Group (Group B), where they would be at the mercy of the Muslim League.

The Scheduled Castes also felt the proposals as unacceptable because no seats were reserved for them in the Legislatures. Infact, only one seat was offered to them in the Interim Government.

Question 6.
Indian Independence Act was a unique Act, because never before had such a large country achieved independence through legislation. In this context answer the following questions :
(a) What were the main provisions of the Indian Independence Act?
(b) Who was appointed the first Governor-General for each of the two Dominions?
Answer:
(a) On the basis of the Mountbatten plan of June 3, 1947, the British Parliament passed the Indian Independence Act on July 16, 1947. Following were its main provisions :

• Two independent Dominions known respectively as India and t Pakistan would be created from the 15th August, 1947.
• Pakistan was to comprise of East Bengal, West Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan, NWFP and the district of Sylhet in Assam.
• There would be a Governor-General for each of the Dominion who was to act as a Constitutional head. Governor-General would , act on the advice of the Ministers.
• The Constituent Assemblies of the two Dominions, would serve as sovereign bodies for the purpose of making the Constitution as well as other laws for the Dominions. The constituent assembly was also to serve as the Central Legislature of the two dominions,
• Princely states would become independent of His Majesty.
• The office of the Secretary of State for India was to be abolished.
• Provision was made for the division of Indian army and the sharing of assests and liabilities between the two Dominions.
• Provisions was also made for safeguarding the interests of the existing officers appointed by the Secretary of State, who would not make such appointments in future.
• Governor-General was vested with necessary power for bringing the Indian Independence Act into effective operation.

(b) The Dominions of India and Pakistan came into existence on 15 th August, 1947. Lord Mountbatten became the First Governor- General of the Dominion of India. Mr. Muhammad Ali Jinnah became the Governor-General of Pakistan.

Question 7.
Jawaharlal Nehru was administered the Oath of Office of the First Prime Minister of Free India. In this context answer the following questions.
(a) Who administered the Oath to the Prime Minister?
(b) In what capacity did he administer the Oath?
(c) Who was sworn in as Governor-General of India on 20 June, : 1948?
Answer:
(a) Lord Mountbatten
(b) Prime Minister of India.
(c) C. Rajagopalchari was sworn in as G

Question 8.
With reference to the picture : given below answer the questions that follow :

(a) Identify the Viceroy in the picture.
Answer:
Lord Mountbatten.

(b) What was the definite object of sending him to India?
Answer:
For the purpose of taking necessary power to the Indian. His immediate task was to restore the peace among the two warring communities, the Hindus and Muslims.

(c) Fill in the blanks :
After many consultations with important leaders, he announced his plan on ……………. June 1947. He was convinced that transfer of power to Indians could only be on the basis of …………….. of the country.
Answer:
After many consultations with important leaders, he announced his plan on 3rd June 1947. He was convinced that transfer of power to Indians could only be on the basis of Partition of the country.

(d)Mention any three reasons why the Congress finally accepted his Plan.
Answer:
Reasons for finally accepting the Mountbatten Plan by Congress:

• The large scale communal riots that engulfed the whole country convinced all that the only solution to the communal problem lay in the partition of India. (z’z’)The leaders felt that the further delay in the transfer of power could find India in the midst of a civil war.
• The leaders felt that partition would rid the constitution of separate electrorates and other undemocratic procedures. India could evolve a truly secular and democratic polity.

Quick Revision

The Demand for Pakistan

• First conceived by Dr. Mohammad Iqbal, author of ‘Sare jahan se achchha’ in his Presidential Address at the annual session of Muslim League at Allahabad in 1930.
• ‘Pakistan was to be ‘Consolidated NWFP’
• Idea gained force among the Muslim student at Cambridge under the lead of RAHMAT ALI CHOWDHURY
• He conceived ‘Pakistan’ as consisting of
  P – Punjab
  A – Afgan province of NWFP
  K – Kashmir
  I – Indus River
  S – Sindh
  TAN – Baluchistan

Lahore Session In 1940
Muslim League passed a resolution for grouping the areas in which Muslims were numerically in majority into an Independent state.

Jinnah,s Two – Nation Theory

• Hindus and Muslims have nothing in common.
• Two separate states.
• Both are fundamentally distinct.
• Both have their own sources of history and different epics and heroes.
• Both religions cannot be threaded in one.
  Gandhi opposed his theory and opined Hindus and Muslims are not two nations. Those, whom God has made one, man will never be able to divide.

Cabinet Mission Proposal

1. Reasons

• The trial of INA officers created strong anti-British feeling.
• In the elections of 1946, Congress won 8/11 seats and the League formed government in Bengal and Sindh. Hence, League feared Hindu majority Congress and demanded Parition.
• British tried to resolve a crisis situation and sent
  • Lord Penthick Lawerence.
  • Sir Stafford Cripps
  • A.V. Alexander (arrived on 24th March, 1946).

2. Purpose
To bring about a settlement between the Congress and the League for speedy transfer of power from British to Indian hands.

3. Proposals Of The Cabinet Mission Plan Union

• Federal union including British Indian and the Princely States
• Central Government will have 3 subjects under its control
  • Defence
  • Foreign affairs
  • Communication

Provinces

All other subjects under the control of provinces
Provinces free to form groups

Group A	Group B	Group C
Bombay Bihar C.P. Madras Orrisa U.P	Punjab NWFP Sindh	Assam Bengal

Constituent Assembly

Interim Govt.

• Till the constitution is not enacted, Interim government of 14 members will be formed.
• India would be free to remain or withdraw from British commonwealth.

4. Reaction Towards The Cabinet Mission Plan

Congress

• Congress accepted with some reservations.
• accepted that part which dealt with the constitution.
• grouping of provinces was not compulsory.
• did not accept the scheme of Interim government.

League

• League accepted for it saw the seeds of Pakistan.
• authorised Jinnah to negotiate with the Viceroy in regard to the formation of the Interim government.

Sikhs and SC.

• Sikhs rejected the plan because it did not safeguard their interests.
• SC felt that no seats were reserved for them in legislature. Only 1 seat in the Interim government.

Formation Of Interim Govt.
Nehru assumed office on 2nd September, 1946 as the Vice President of the Interim government

Direct Action Day

• 29th July, 1946 Muslim League withdrew its acceptance of the Cabinet Mission Plan.
• 16th August, 1946 as the ‘Direct Action Day’ followed by communal violence in Kolkata which soon spread to other parts of the country.
• Muslim League declared 2nd September as a Day of Mourning.

Attlee’s Statement
British PM (labour party) announced on Februrary, 20, 1947 that Britain would withdraw from India and transfer power to responsible Indian by June 1948.

Mountbatten Plan
The country would be divided into two Dominions i.e., India and Pakistan.

Proposals Of The Mountbatten Plan
Const. Assembly
Separate assembly for Pakistan

Bengal and Punjab
Legislative Assembly to take the decision

Sindh
Legislative Assembly to take the decision

NWFP
plebiscite to ascertain partition

Distt. of Sylhet
To be decided by referendum

Princely states
Option to join either the two Dominions or to remain independent.
Creation of Boundary Committee to settle the boundaries of the two Dominion.

Indian Independence Act

Dominion
Two dominions India and Pakistan

Constituent Assembly.
Separate for both Dominions

Governor General
for each of the Dominions

Princely staets
The states be-came independent

Secretary of state
office was abolished

Army
Division of Indian army and sharing of assests and liabilities.
Provision made for safeguarding the interests of the existing officers
appiointed by the Secretary of State, who would not make such appointment in future.
Mountbatten – 1st G.G. of India
Mr. Jinnah – 1st. G.G. of Pakistan
1st and Last G.G. of Indian origin. – C. Rajagopalachari

Extra Practice Questions

Question 1.
When and where, did the Muslim League conceive the plan of a Muslim state?
Answer:
Sir Mohammad Iqbal at the Allahabad Session of the Muslim League in 1930 conceived a plan of a Muslim state.

Question 2.
Who coined the term ‘Pakistan’?
Answer:
Rahmat Ali, a graduate from Cambridge, coined the term ‘Pakistan’.

Question 3.
What resolution was passed by the Muslim League in its Lahore Session in 1940?
Answer:
In the Lahore Session (1940), the Muslim League passed a resolution that the areas in which the Muslims are numerically in majority, should be grouped to constitute an independent state.

Question 4.
How many members were to constitute the Constituent Assembly?
Answer:
The Constituent Assembly was to consist of 385 members out of which 292 were to be elected by provinces and 93 were to be nominated by the Princely States.

Question 5.
When was the Interim Government sworn in and who was its head?
Answer:
The Interim Government was sworn on 14th August, 1946 with Jawaharlal Nehru as its head. He was not designated as the Prime Minister, but the Vice-President of the Interim Government.

Question 6.
What was the biggest fear of the Muslim League?
Answer:
The League feared that the British withdrawal from India would mean transfer of power to Hindus, who constituted the majority.

Question 7.
Which day was declared as the ‘Day of Mourning’ by the Muslim League?
Answer:
The Muslim League declared the 2nd of September as the ‘Day of Mourning.’

Question 8.
Who was the first President of India?
Answer:
Dr. Rajendra Prasad assumed office as the first President of the Indian union on 26th January, 1950.

Question 9.
What were the two important factors that led the British to quit India?
Answer:
The British exit was no doubt graceful and Prime Minister Attlee’s role was also praiseworthy. However, the British withdrawal was prompted by

1. Intense nationalism and above all, leadership of Mahatma Gandhi.
2. Weak position of England as a result of World War II.

Question 10.
Describe the causes and circumstances responsible for the creation of Pakistan.
Answer:
The acceptance of partition in 1947 was only the final act of step by step concessions to the League’s demand for an Independent Muslim state. Following reasons can be attributed for the partition of India.

(i) Jinnah’s Two-nation Theory.
The Two-Nation theory provided a basis for the demand of Pakistan. The Muslims began to think that the Hindus and themselves were two different nations ; they had nothing in common between them. Jinnah propounded this theory in 1940. According to Jinnah, to bind together two distinct nations in a single state was bound to lead to discontent and destruction.

(ii) British Policy to Weaken India.
The British followed the policy of divide and rule to weaken India and create such a situation that two parts might continue fighting against each other.

(iii) A Small but unified country.
Congress now realised that it was futile to force the League to join the union of India. They felt, small but unified country was better than large and weak India.

(iv) Civil War.
British constantly tried to instigate the rulers of the native states to assert their right to freedom. Thus, the leaders felt that further delay in the transfer of power could find India in the grip of Civil War.

(v) Failure of the Interim government.
The League joined the Interim government to obstruct and not to co-operate. Experience of working with the League had convinced Patel and others that it was not possible to carry on and that there must be either partition or open war with the League.

(vi) Communal Riots.
The failure of the Interim government led to the worsening of the communal situation and riots broke out in other parts of the country. Partition seemed to be the only solution to come out of this anarchy.

(vii) Attlee’s Declaration.
As the political condition in India was fast deteriorating, the Labour government in England, under Attlee declared that his government would quit India before june 1948. And if the Constituent Assembly failed to prepare the constitution till then, the government would herself decide as whom power should be handed over to.

In March 1947, Lord Mountbatten replaced Lord Wavell as the Viceroy of India. After consulting both Congress and the League; and looking at the prevailing condition, he announced his plan of partition. India was thus divided into two parts viz. India and Pakistan in 1947.

ICSE History and Civics Class 10 Goyal Brothers Prakashan Solutions