Towards Independence and Partition


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Towards Independence and Partition

Towards Independence and Partition:

  • Meanwhile, in 1940 the Muslim League had moved a resolution demanding “ independent States” for Muslims in the north- western and eastern areas of the country. From the late 1930s, the league began viewing the Muslims as a seprate “nation” from the Hindus.
  • More importantly, the provincial elections of 1937 seemed to have convinced the League that Muslims were a minority, and they would always have to play second fiddle in any democratic structure. It feared that Muslims may even go unrepresented. The Congress’s rejection of the League’s desire to form a joint Congress- League government in the United Provinces in 1937 also annoyed the League.
  • The Congress’s failure to mobilize the Muslims masses in the 1930s allowed the League to widen its social support. It sought to enlarge its support in early 1940s when most congress leaders were in jail. At the end of the war in 1945, the British opened negotiations between the congress, the league and themselves for the independence of India. The talks failed because the league saw itself as the sole spokesperson of India’s Muslims.
  • Elections to the Provinces were again held in 1946. The Congress did well in the “General” constituencies but the League success in the seats reserved for Muslims was spectacular. It persisted with its demand for “Pakistan”. In March 1946 the British cabinet sent a three- member mission to Delhi to examine this demand and to suggest a suitable political framework for a free India. This mission suggested that India should remain united and constitute itself as a loose confederation with some autonomy for Muslim- majority areas.
  •  But it could not get the Congress and the Muslim League to agree to specific details of the proposal. Partition now became more or less inevitable. After the failure of the Cabinet Mission, the Muslim League decided on mass agitation for winning its Pakistan demand. It announced 16 august 1946 as “Direct Action Day”.  By March 1947 violence spread to different parts of northern India.
  •  Many hundred thousand people were killed and numerous women had to face untold brutalities during the partition. Partition also meant that India changed, many of its cities changed, and a new country- Pakistan – was born. So, the joy of our country’s independence from British rule came mixed with the pain and violence of Partition.
  • Sample Questions
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    Question : 1

    "Anand Math" is written by _____________

    Right Option : B
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    Explanation
    Question : 2

    The congress session which declared complete independence for India as its objective was held at ______________

    Right Option : D
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    Explanation
     
     
     


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