India’s Struggle For Independence
India attained Independence on August 15th 1947, after a great political and social struggle. The British had ruled over India for a considerable period of time. Their initial intentions were to carry out trade in India, but in due course of time they developed political and administrative ambitions.
Events leading to independence of India
By 1940, the British policy of divide and rule had led to the demand of a separate state made up of areas where Muslims were the majority. The Indian National Congress cooperated with the British in Second World war efforts. It was hoped that the British would leave India after the Second World War. But the British did not relent. Then Mahatma Gandhi began the “Quit India Movement” in 1942. The Quit India resolution was passed in 1942, Bombay session of Congress. Gandhi stressed, "We shall either free India or die in the attempt. We shall not live to see the perpetuation of our slavery". This is famously known as "Do or Die". This was declared illegal by British government and all of the prominent leaders were arrested. There were revolts all around India with the slogan of "British Quit India". The British eventually realized that they had to leave India for good.. The British responded by imprisoning National Congress leaders and other freedom fighters.
Gandhi- Jinnah talks
First partition of Bengal in 1905 had sowed the seeds of division of India. Many Muslim leaders had started entertaining the idea of a separate Muslim dominated country. Gandhi’s initial stand was that India should not be partitioned into two nations after Independence. Muhammad Ali Jinnah was the leader of Muslim League, a self-proclaimed champion of Muslim cause. Although Muslim League never had popular support amongst Indian Muslims, British always supported Muslim League. The Muslim League adopted the Pakistan demand in its Lahore resolution in 1940. The demand stated that the geographically contiguous regions of India where the Muslims are a majority like the North West and the Eastern side of India should be constituted as independent states.
On September 19, 1944, Gandhi-Jinnah talks began in Bombay over partition of India and creation of Pakistan. Gandhi insisted that he came in his personal capacity and was not representing Hindus or Congress. During the talks Jinaah insisted on the need for a separate Muslim state (Pakistan) while Gandhi tried to impress that India needs to remain a united one country. Talks ended on September 24, 1944 without any conclusion.
On the 21st of February 1946, mutiny broke out on board the Royal Indian Navy. Mutiny in Royal Indian Navy was quickly controlled. Mutiny in Royal Indian Navy only highlighted the amount of discontent amongst the Indian troops who were serving British Raj. As a result of the Indian National Army’s exploits in World War II, British had already started doubting the loyalty of the British Indian soldiers who formed the bulk of troops in India. Afraid of further revolts in armed forces British planned to quickly hand over power to Indian political establishment. Events like INA’s capture of Kohima in World War II and Indian Navy mutiny were probably not significant militarily but were a psychological blow to the confidence of British government, which hastened Indian Independence.
Cabinet Mission plan (1946) - To end the dead lock between Congress and Muslim League on the issue of creation of Pakistan, British Government sent a group of ministers. The mission consisted of Lord Pethic Lawrence, the Secretary of State for India, Sir Stafford Cripps, President of the Board of Trade, and A. V. Alexander, the First Lord of the Admiralty.
The main points of the plan were:
1. There would be a union of India comprising both British India and the Indian States that would deal with foreign affairs, defense and communications. The union would have an Executive and a Legislature.
2. All residuary powers would belong to the provinces.
3. All provinces would be divided into three sections. Provinces could opt out of any group after the first general elections.
4. There would also be an interim government having the support of the major political parties.
Both Congress and Muslim League agreed to the Cabinet mission plan. But Jawaharlal Nehru made an astonishing statement while addressing a press conference on July 10. He said that the Congress had agreed to join the constituent assembly, but it would be free to make changes in the Cabinet Mission Plan.
Jinnah and Muslim League who were forced to accept the Cabinet Mission Plan earlier now pounced on the blunder made by Jawaharlal Nehru. Muslim League disassociated itself from the Cabinet Plan and resorted to "Direct Action" to achieve Pakistan.
Viceroy Wavell invited the Congress to join the interim government.
On 16th August 1946, mob violence and rioting erupted in Calcutta and many people died. On October 14, 1946, to reduce the increasing communal tension Lord Wavell, invited Muslim League participate in the interim Government led by Congress.
Second blunder made by Nehru was to give the post of Finance Minister to Muslim League nominee Liaquat Ali Khan who tried to win the favor of Indian Muslims by presenting a budget that favored Muslims.
On December 9, 1946 the Congress started framing the Indian Constitution. On March 22, 1947, Lord Mountbatten arrived as the last Viceroy. It was announced that power would be transferred from British to Indian hands by June 1948. Although, it was planned that power would be divided between the Hindus and Muslims as proposed by the Cabinet Mission proposal. Yet, senior leader of the Muslim League Mohammad Ali Jinnah did not agree to it. Jinnah insisted on creation of Pakistan as a separate country for Indian Muslims. The League favored direct action, which led to Hindu-Muslim riots. In March 1947, Lord Mountbatten had come to India and favored partition of Punjab and Bengal despite the civil war. Gandhi did not favor partition and suggested that Jinnah should become the leader of the united India. But many nationalist leaders did not favor this. Eventually, the British Parliament passed the Indian Independence Act, which led to the formation of India and Pakistan. Congress also agreedto the partition of India. Gandhi who had previously said that India would be partitioned over my ‘dead body’ now agreed to the partition plan. Mountbatten now prepared for the partition of the Sub-continent and announced it on June 3, 1947. The Congress and the Muslem League agreed that India would become free on August 15, 1947. The country would be partitioned under the guidance of the Red Cliff Mission.
Independent India On 15th August 1947 India became an independent country and Pakistan was also formed. Jawaharlal Nehru took oath as the first Prime Minister of Independent India. Massive exodus of population from Islamic Pakistan to India took place. Nearly the whole Hindu population living in Pakistan’s Punjab and Sindh and East Bengal migrated to India. Large numbers of Hindus were killed in the riots in Pakistan and many others were forcibly converted to Islam. Only a few Hindus survived in Islamic republic of Pakistan. Muslims from Independent India also migrated to Pakistan and many Muslims were killed in riots that took place in India. But majority of Muslims preferred to stay in India and were given equal rights in secular India. The Muslim population of Independent India was much bigger than that of Independent Pakistan. Indian independence was scarred by the trauma and bloodshed of partition.
India became independent on 15th August 1947.But violence broke out in areas having mixed populations of Muslims and Hindus. Almost half a million people died in the ensuing violence. In 1950, the new constitution came into force and India became a secular state. Prime minister Nehru made the economy a 'mixed economy' of some state owned industry and some private enterprise. The struggle for independence was a long and arduous one. Scores of lives were lost to free the country. After independence, India has consolidated its place as the largest democracy in the world with a thriving economy and a robust political domain.
By 1940, the British policy of divide and rule had led to the demand of a separate state made up of areas where Muslims were the majority. The Indian National Congress cooperated with the British in Second World war efforts. It was hoped that the British would leave India after the Second World War. But the British did not relent. Then Mahatma Gandhi began the “Quit India Movement” in 1942. The Quit India resolution was passed in 1942, Bombay session of Congress. Gandhi stressed, "We shall either free India or die in the attempt. We shall not live to see the perpetuation of our slavery". This is famously known as "Do or Die". This was declared illegal by British government and all of the prominent leaders were arrested. There were revolts all around India with the slogan of "British Quit India". The British eventually realized that they had to leave India for good.. The British responded by imprisoning National Congress leaders and other freedom fighters.
Gandhi- Jinnah talks
First partition of Bengal in 1905 had sowed the seeds of division of India. Many Muslim leaders had started entertaining the idea of a separate Muslim dominated country. Gandhi’s initial stand was that India should not be partitioned into two nations after Independence. Muhammad Ali Jinnah was the leader of Muslim League, a self-proclaimed champion of Muslim cause. Although Muslim League never had popular support amongst Indian Muslims, British always supported Muslim League. The Muslim League adopted the Pakistan demand in its Lahore resolution in 1940. The demand stated that the geographically contiguous regions of India where the Muslims are a majority like the North West and the Eastern side of India should be constituted as independent states.
On September 19, 1944, Gandhi-Jinnah talks began in Bombay over partition of India and creation of Pakistan. Gandhi insisted that he came in his personal capacity and was not representing Hindus or Congress. During the talks Jinaah insisted on the need for a separate Muslim state (Pakistan) while Gandhi tried to impress that India needs to remain a united one country. Talks ended on September 24, 1944 without any conclusion.
On the 21st of February 1946, mutiny broke out on board the Royal Indian Navy. Mutiny in Royal Indian Navy was quickly controlled. Mutiny in Royal Indian Navy only highlighted the amount of discontent amongst the Indian troops who were serving British Raj. As a result of the Indian National Army’s exploits in World War II, British had already started doubting the loyalty of the British Indian soldiers who formed the bulk of troops in India. Afraid of further revolts in armed forces British planned to quickly hand over power to Indian political establishment. Events like INA’s capture of Kohima in World War II and Indian Navy mutiny were probably not significant militarily but were a psychological blow to the confidence of British government, which hastened Indian Independence.
Cabinet Mission plan (1946) - To end the dead lock between Congress and Muslim League on the issue of creation of Pakistan, British Government sent a group of ministers. The mission consisted of Lord Pethic Lawrence, the Secretary of State for India, Sir Stafford Cripps, President of the Board of Trade, and A. V. Alexander, the First Lord of the Admiralty.
The main points of the plan were:
1. There would be a union of India comprising both British India and the Indian States that would deal with foreign affairs, defense and communications. The union would have an Executive and a Legislature.
2. All residuary powers would belong to the provinces.
3. All provinces would be divided into three sections. Provinces could opt out of any group after the first general elections.
4. There would also be an interim government having the support of the major political parties.
Both Congress and Muslim League agreed to the Cabinet mission plan. But Jawaharlal Nehru made an astonishing statement while addressing a press conference on July 10. He said that the Congress had agreed to join the constituent assembly, but it would be free to make changes in the Cabinet Mission Plan.
Jinnah and Muslim League who were forced to accept the Cabinet Mission Plan earlier now pounced on the blunder made by Jawaharlal Nehru. Muslim League disassociated itself from the Cabinet Plan and resorted to "Direct Action" to achieve Pakistan.
Viceroy Wavell invited the Congress to join the interim government.
On 16th August 1946, mob violence and rioting erupted in Calcutta and many people died. On October 14, 1946, to reduce the increasing communal tension Lord Wavell, invited Muslim League participate in the interim Government led by Congress.
Second blunder made by Nehru was to give the post of Finance Minister to Muslim League nominee Liaquat Ali Khan who tried to win the favor of Indian Muslims by presenting a budget that favored Muslims.
On December 9, 1946 the Congress started framing the Indian Constitution. On March 22, 1947, Lord Mountbatten arrived as the last Viceroy. It was announced that power would be transferred from British to Indian hands by June 1948. Although, it was planned that power would be divided between the Hindus and Muslims as proposed by the Cabinet Mission proposal. Yet, senior leader of the Muslim League Mohammad Ali Jinnah did not agree to it. Jinnah insisted on creation of Pakistan as a separate country for Indian Muslims. The League favored direct action, which led to Hindu-Muslim riots. In March 1947, Lord Mountbatten had come to India and favored partition of Punjab and Bengal despite the civil war. Gandhi did not favor partition and suggested that Jinnah should become the leader of the united India. But many nationalist leaders did not favor this. Eventually, the British Parliament passed the Indian Independence Act, which led to the formation of India and Pakistan. Congress also agreedto the partition of India. Gandhi who had previously said that India would be partitioned over my ‘dead body’ now agreed to the partition plan. Mountbatten now prepared for the partition of the Sub-continent and announced it on June 3, 1947. The Congress and the Muslem League agreed that India would become free on August 15, 1947. The country would be partitioned under the guidance of the Red Cliff Mission.
Independent India On 15th August 1947 India became an independent country and Pakistan was also formed. Jawaharlal Nehru took oath as the first Prime Minister of Independent India. Massive exodus of population from Islamic Pakistan to India took place. Nearly the whole Hindu population living in Pakistan’s Punjab and Sindh and East Bengal migrated to India. Large numbers of Hindus were killed in the riots in Pakistan and many others were forcibly converted to Islam. Only a few Hindus survived in Islamic republic of Pakistan. Muslims from Independent India also migrated to Pakistan and many Muslims were killed in riots that took place in India. But majority of Muslims preferred to stay in India and were given equal rights in secular India. The Muslim population of Independent India was much bigger than that of Independent Pakistan. Indian independence was scarred by the trauma and bloodshed of partition.
India became independent on 15th August 1947.But violence broke out in areas having mixed populations of Muslims and Hindus. Almost half a million people died in the ensuing violence. In 1950, the new constitution came into force and India became a secular state. Prime minister Nehru made the economy a 'mixed economy' of some state owned industry and some private enterprise. The struggle for independence was a long and arduous one. Scores of lives were lost to free the country. After independence, India has consolidated its place as the largest democracy in the world with a thriving economy and a robust political domain.