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Indian Independence Act of 1947

Indian Independence Act of 1947

Context:

  • British PM Clement Attlee announced India’s independence by June 1948, but communal tensions led to an early partition in August 1947.
  • Mountbatten Plan (June 3, 1947) proposed dividing India into two nations (India & Pakistan).

Key Features:

  1. End of British Rule:
    • India became independent on August 15, 1947.
    • Declared a sovereign state (free from British control).
  2. Partition of India:
    • Created two dominions: India (Hindu-majority) and Pakistan (Muslim-majority).
    • Both could leave the British Commonwealth if they chose.
  3. Abolished Viceroy’s Role:
    • Replaced with Governor-General for each dominion (appointed by British King but acted on Indian/Pakistani advice).
    • British Govt. had no authority over India/Pakistan after independence.
  4. Power to Make Constitutions:
    • Constituent Assemblies of India/Pakistan could draft their own constitutions and cancel British laws.
  5. Governance Until New Constitutions:
    • The 1935 Government of India Act was used temporarily, but dominions could modify it.
  6. Princely States Freed:
    • Over 500 princely states (e.g., Hyderabad, Kashmir) could join India, join Pakistan, or stay independent.
    • British treaties/control over them ended.
  7. End of British Titles & Roles:
    • British King dropped the title “Emperor of India”.
    • Secretary of State for India role abolished; replaced with Secretary for Commonwealth Affairs.
  8. Governors as Nominal Heads:
    • Governors-General (India) and Governors (provinces) became ceremonial roles acting on ministers’ advice.
  9. No British Veto Power:
    • British King lost power to block laws, but Governor-General could still approve laws on his behalf.
  10. Civil Services:
    • Stopped new British appointments to Indian civil services.
    • Existing officers kept their jobs and benefits.

What Happened on August 15, 1947?

  • At midnight, power shifted to India and Pakistan.
  • Lord Mountbatten became India’s first Governor-General.
  • Jawaharlal Nehru sworn in as India’s first Prime Minister.
  • The Constituent Assembly (formed in 1946) became India’s temporary Parliament.

Why Important?

  • Ended 200 years of British rule.
  • Marked the birth of India and Pakistan as independent nations.
  • Started the process of princely states merging into India (e.g., Hyderabad, Junagadh).
  • Laid the foundation for India’s Constitution (adopted in 1950).

Simplified Summary:

  • British left India on August 15, 1947.
  • India and Pakistan split into two countries.
  • Princely states had to choose: join India, Pakistan, or stay independent.
  • Nehru became PM, and India began drafting its Constitution.

 

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