History & Civics
Indian Independence Act was unique in history, because never before had such a large population of the world achieved Independence through legislation. In this context answer the following questions:
(a) State three main provisions of the Indian Independence Act.
(b) Who was appointed the first Governor-General for each of the two Dominions?
(c) Mention the areas where plebiscites were to be held. What was the position of His Majesty's government in the new set-up in India?
Answer
(a) Three main provisions of the Indian Independence Act were-
- Two New Dominions — India would be partitioned and two independent Dominions — India and Pakistan — would be created from August 15, 1947. The Act provided legislative supremacy of both the Dominions. The territories of the two Dominions were divided in such terms that Pakistan would comprise Sindh, British Baluchistan, North West Frontier Province, the West Punjab and East Bengal. India was to comprise all the remaining territories included in the British India. The exact boundaries of the Dominions would be determined by a Boundary Commission.
- Governor-General for Each Dominion — There would be a Governor-General who would be appointed by the British King on the advice of the Cabinet of the concerned Dominion. This arrangement would work till the framing of the Constitutions.
- Constituent Assemblies to Serve as Central Legislatures — The Constituent Assemblies of both the dominions were to act as the Central Legislatures and would have full powers to make laws for their respective Dominion. They would act as sovereign bodies for legislative purposes.
(b) Lord Mountbatten on the request of Nehru continued as the Governor-General of India.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah became the Governor-General of Pakistan.
(c) Plebiscites were to be held in North West Frontier Province (NWFP) as well as in Sylhet district (Muslim majority area) in East Bengal to determine whether they would like to join Pakistan or India.
Related Questions
With reference to the newspaper article answer the questions that follow:
(a) Which Plan is referred to in the given newspaper article? State any two features of this Plan.
(b) How was the Plan supposed to solve the communal problem existing in India?
(c) Why did the Congress accept the Plan? State three reasons to justify its acceptance.
Read the excerpt given below and answer the questions that follow:
“Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny and now the time comes, when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom… It is fitting that at this solemn moment we take the pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still large cause of humanity.”
—Tryst with Destiny Speech by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru(a) What happened at the stroke of midnight hour? Which unending quest is Jawaharlal Nehru talking about in the excerpt? Who all strived to end this quest?
(b) Where and when did Jawaharlal Nehru made this historic speech? Name any two famous dignitaries present there?
(c) Name the British Act that led to Jawaharlal Nehru’s speech. State three features of this Act.
A number of Acts were passed by the British to pacify the demands of the Indians relating to the Government of India. But the Independence Act, 1947 is considered as a unique piece of legislation. Why is it so? Give reasons to support your answer.
Do you think that the All-India Congress Party had no alternative but to accept the Mountbatten Plan? Support your answer with examples.