Indian Freedom Struggle 10

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Direct Action Day (1946)

Direct Action Day hartal called by the Muslim League on August 16, 1946 to get rid of ‘British slavery and contemplated future caste-Hindu domination’. The  backdrop of the Direct Action Day was not only the Muslim League’s acceptance of the cabinet mission plan, but also the loss of face it had to experience because of the plan’s rejection by the Congress. The ‘British betrayal’, as the Muslim League branded the Cabinet Mission’s successive failed proposals to placate the obstinate Congress, made Jinnah bid good-bye to constitutional methods and resort to a programme of ‘direct action for the achievement of Pakistan’, to quote a resolution of the Muslim League Council meeting (27-29 July 1946) in Bombay.

On the heels of this resolution the League Working Committee declared 16 August as ‘Direct Action Day’. Directives were issued to League leaders and the Muslim masses of the provinces to suspend all business on the 16 August and observe complete hartal on that day. As the architect of the reorganised Muslim League in Bengal, huseyn shaheed suhrawardy, the Chief Minister, felt that the Bengal hartal of the Day ought to be the most effective one. His immense preparations to make the Day a success led to communal carnage, something that he perhaps never intended to happen. But things went beyond his control and brutal communal violence ensued. A great portion of Calcutta was on fire for a couple of days. ‘The Direct Action’ riot in Calcutta soon spread throughout the country, and was particularly destructively in Bihar and Noakhali. Both Hindus and Muslims fought each other more or less evenly in Calcutta, but the encounter was mostly one sided elsewhere. In Bihar, mostly Muslims were killed and in Noakhali, Hindus. But on the whole Muslim casualties were heavier. Ironically ‘Direct Action Day’ had a direct result. The fate of India was decided on that day, and on that day was sealed the fate of the united Bengal. Direct Action Day made the partition of Bengal inevitable.

Inshort, following continued rejection by the Indian Congress of the proposal to divide India, the Muslim League planned a protest which began with a “Day of Direct Action”(16th August 1946) to assert the right of the Muslims to a separate homeland. The protests triggered riots in Calcutta in which 4,000 people lost their lives (known as the “great Calcutta Riots”).

Mountbatten plan

 The British government sent a Cabinet Mission to India in March 1946 to negotiate with Indian leaders and agree to the terms of the transfer of power. After difficult negotiations a federal solution was proposed. Despite initial agreement, both sides eventually rejected the plan. An interim government with representatives of all the Indian parties was proposed and implemented. However, it soon collapsed through lack of agreement. While the Muslim League consented to join the interim government the Indian National Congress refused. By the end of 1946 communal violence was escalating and the British began to fear that India would descend into civil war. The British government’s representative, Lord Wavell, put forward a breakdown plan as a safeguard in the event of political deadlock. Wavell, however, believed that once the disadvantages of the Pakistan scheme were exposed, Jinnah would see the advantages of working for the best possible terms inside a united India. He wrote:  ‘Unfortunately the fact that Pakistan, when soberly and realistically examined, is found to be a very unattractive proposition, will place the Moslems in a very disadvantageous position for making satisfactory terms with India for a Federal Union.’ This view was based on a report, which claimed that a future Pakistan would have no manufacturing or industrial areas of importance: no Ports, except Karachi, or rail centres. It was also argued that the connection between East and West Pakistan would be difficult to defend and maintain. The report concluded: ‘It is hard to resist the conclusion that taking all considerations into account the splitting up of India will be the reverse of beneficial as far as the livelihood of its people is concerned’.

Lord Mountbatten replaced Lord Wavell as Viceroy of India in 1947. Mountbatten’s first proposed solution for the Indian subcontinent, known as the ‘May Plan’, was rejected by Congress leader Jawaharlal Nehru on the grounds it would cause the ‘balkanisation of India’. The following month the ‘May Plan’ was substituted for the ‘June Plan’, in which provinces would have to choose between India and Pakistan. Bengal and Punjab both voted for partition. On 3 June 1947, Lord Mountbatten announced his plan. The salient features were:- Mountbatten’s formula was to divide India but retain maximum unity. The country would be partitioned but so would Punjab and Bengal, so that the limited Pakistan that emerged would meet both the Congress and League’s position to some extent. The League’s position on Pakistan was conceded to the extent that it would be created, but the Congress position on unity would be taken into account to make Pakistan as small as possible. Whether it was ruling out independence for the princes or unity for Bengal or Hyderabad’s joining up with Pakistan instead of India, Mountbatten firmly supported Congress on these issues. The Mountbatten Plan sought to affect an early transfer of power on the basis of Dominion status to two successor states, India and Pakistan. For Britain, Dominion Status offered a chance of keeping India in the commonwealth for India’s economic strength and defense potential were deemed sounder and Britain had a greater value of trade and Investment there.

The rationale for the early date for transfer of power was securing Congress agreement to Dominion status. The additional benefit was that the British could escape responsibility for the rapidly deteriorating communal situation. A Referendum was to be held in NWEP to ascertain whether the people in the area wanted to join India or not. The princely states would have the option of joining either of the two dominions or to remain independent. The Provinces of Assam, Punjab and Bengal were also to be divided. A boundary commission was to be set up to determine the boundaries of these states.

Reasons for the acceptance of “Partition” by the Congress

By accepting the Mountbatten Plan/Partition, the Congress was only accepting what had become inevitable because of the long-term failure of the Congress to draw in the Muslim masses into the national movement and stem the surging waves of Muslim Communalism, which, especially since 1937, had been beating with increasing fury. The Congress leaders felt by June, 1947 that only an immediate transfer of power could forestall the spread of Direct Action and communal disturbances. Sardar Patel rightly said, “a united India even if it was smaller in size was better than a disorganised and troubled and weak bigger India.” Difficulties created by the obstructionist policies and tactics of the League proved to the Congress that the leaders of the Muslim League were concerned only with their own interests and the future of India would not be safe with them in the government. They would act as a stumbling block in the path of India’s progress. The Congress leaders also felt that the continuance of British rule never was and never could be in the good interest of Indians. Sooner they quit, the better it would be.

Partition of India

Partition of India was one of the historical steps taken on the basis of religion dividing the nation into two parts namely Union of India (also known as Republic of India) and Dominion of Pakistan (further divided into Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Peoples` Republic of Bangladesh) on 14th and 15th of August 1947. With the Dissolution of British India the Partition of India was incorporated through the division of two provinces of Bengal and Punjab as Bengal was divided into East Pakistan and West Bengal and Punjab was further divided into West Punjab and East Punjab.

Origin of Partition of India

The partition of India had been the real instance of peoples` demand through their representatives. The initial demand for a separate state was made by an eminent writer and philosopher Allama Iqbal who raised his voice for a separate electorate for the less represented group of Muslim Communities. With the passage of time this claim became the base of the newly emerging state of Pakistan. Among other reasons division of Indian subcontinent was important for various reasons. One such reason had been the old British policy of divide and rule which came into action in case of division of India and Pakistan. Also with the communal Awards the hatred rather differences increased on both sides which could only be pacified through division of state. It was further claimed that the British wanted to make the Muslims their allies to oppose the apparent threat of the Hindu educated class. In order to gain support from the Muslims, the British supported the All-India Muslim Conference. They infused the notion that the Muslims were a separate political entity. In addition to that the Muslims were given separate electorates in Local Government all over British India by 1900s. With such moves the British followed a divide-and-rule policy in India. Hindus and Muslims were two separate identities which needed to be separated. All this growing anxiety only brought India closer to division. As a result such demand got its shape in the 1935 session when a formal resolution was passed claiming the separation.

The partition took place at the midnight of 14th and 15th August 1947. Mainly based on Famous Mountbatten Plan, the partition included division of geographical areas, Population exchange, administrative structure and army, navy and air force as well. The main affected areas were Bengal, Punjab, Sindh and Jammu & Kashmir. Geographically the division included the division of rivers as well as land areas; the exchange of population meant movement of 14.5 million people crossing the borders with a total of 7,226,000 Muslims and 7,249,000 Hindus from each side. At the midnight of 14th august the ceremony of independence was organized a day after the birth of new state of Pakistan with New Delhi as India`s capital.

Impact of Partition of India

On 7th August Mohammad Ali Jinnah along with his old associations went to Karachi. The Constituent Assembly of Pakistan met on 11th August and elected Jinnah as its President. Lord Mountbatten went to Karachi on 13 August and on the following day addressed the Pakistan Constituent Assembly. He attended the inauguration ceremony at Karachi. The birth of Pakistan was an eventful occasion in history. Officially, Pakistan became a Dominion on 15 August 1947, Jinnah was sworn in as Governor-General and Liaqat Ali Khan was sworn in as the new Pakistan Cabinet. The effect of Partition was deep rooted which raised some major issues of the day. One such issue had been the issue of refugees which remained the most painful result of Partition for both the nations. The city of Delhi received the maximum numbers of refugees and overall 35000 refugees landed up in the northern part of India including areas of Panipat and Kurukhshetra which were further used as camps for them. Huge expansion of cities took place which brought new areas in every city of northern India. Thus, the Partition of India did not remain a historical event only but came out as the most painful event of passed history. It affected not only the physical location of people but their psychology as well. Ending up into brutal riots all over the country the partition of India is regarded the bitterest experience of modern India.

Indian Independence Act, 1947

The Indian Independence Act 1947 was the legislation passed and enacted by the British Parliament that officially announced the Independence of India and the partition of India. The legislation of Indian Independence Act was designed by the Prime Minister Clement Attlee as Indian Political Parties agreed on the transfer of power from the British Government to the independent Indian Government and the Partition of India. This act received royal assent on 18th July, 1947.The Agreement was made with Lord Mountbatten, which was known as the 3 June Plan or Mountbatten Plan. Indian Independence Act was passed in June 1947, which specified the follows:

* The British rule of India should be over on the midnight of August 15, 1947.

* An independent dominion of India shall be created out of the United Provinces, Central Provinces, Bombay Presidency, Madras Presidency, the Carnatic, East Punjab, West Bengal, Assam and the Northeast Frontier Agency. The territories of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Lakshadweep Islands are also turned over to the Indian Dominion.

* An independent dominion of Pakistan shall be created out of the provinces of West Punjab, North West Frontier Province, Sindh and East Bengal.

* The all Princely states that were officially related to British Empire were made free from all the treaties and relationships and they could decide which dominion to join. Lord Mountbatten thought that if the princely state remained independent within the dominion that may lead to chaos and thus made their accession a necessity of the Indian Independence Act.

* Both the Indian and Pakistan Dominions would be members of the British Commonwealth and was allowed to leave whenever they pleased.

* Both Dominions of India and Pakistan were completely self-governing in their internal affairs, foreign affairs and national security but the British monarch will continue to be their head of state, represented by the Governor-General of India and a new Governor-General of Pakistan. Both Dominions shall convene their Constituent Assemblies and write their respective constitutions.

* The British monarch shall be permitted to remove the title of Emperor of India from the Royal Style and Titles. King George VI subsequently removed the title by Order in council on June 22, 1948.

Lord Mountbatten was the last Viceroy of India under British rules and became the Governor General of Independent India. Jawaharlal Nehru became the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the President and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was the Deputy Prime minister of India. Five hundred and sixty princely states were annexed with India, among which Junagadh and Hyderabad was took over after military action.

After-effects of Indian Independence Act

After passing the act some religion based riots were there. The situation was much violent. The Muslims had to migrate from the `Would be India` and Hindus had to migrate from the `Would be Pakistan`. All of their possessions and properties were left behind.


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The Indian independence movement was a long and complex struggle that lasted for over a century. It was a time of great upheaval and change, as the Indian people fought for their freedom from British rule. The movement was led by a number of different groups and individuals, each with their own unique perspective on how to achieve independence.

One of the earliest and most important events in the Indian independence movement was the Revolt of 1857. This was a major uprising against British rule, and it marked the beginning of a new era in the struggle for independence. The revolt was ultimately unsuccessful, but it served as a wake-up call to the British, who realized that they could not take Indian loyalty for granted.

In the years following the Revolt of 1857, a number of new organizations were formed to promote Indian independence. One of the most important of these was the Indian National Congress (INC), which was founded in 1885. The INC was a secular organization that sought to unite Indians of all religions and castes in the struggle for independence.

The INC played a leading role in the Indian independence movement, and it was responsible for a number of important campaigns, including the Swadeshi Movement, the Non-Cooperation Movement, and the Civil Disobedience Movement. These campaigns were all aimed at pressuring the British to grant India independence.

The Swadeshi Movement was a boycott of British goods, and it was launched in 1905 in response to the partition of Bengal. The Non-Cooperation Movement was launched in 1920, and it was a major turning point in the Indian independence movement. The movement was led by Mahatma Gandhi, who advocated non-violent resistance to British rule. The Civil Disobedience Movement was launched in 1930, and it was another major campaign of non-violent resistance.

The Indian independence movement finally achieved success in 1947, when India gained its independence from British rule. However, independence came at a price, as India was partitioned into two separate countries, India and Pakistan. The partition was a violent and chaotic process, and it led to the deaths of millions of people.

The Indian independence movement was a long and difficult struggle, but it ultimately resulted in the creation of an independent India. The movement was led by a number of different groups and individuals, each with their own unique perspective on how to achieve independence. The movement was successful in achieving its goal, but it came at a price, as India was partitioned into two separate countries.

Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about the Indian freedom struggle:

  1. What was the Indian freedom struggle?
    The Indian freedom struggle was a long and complex process that culminated in the independence of India from British rule in 1947. The struggle involved a variety of methods, including nonviolent protests, Armed Rebellion, and civil disobedience.

  2. Who were the main leaders of the Indian freedom struggle?
    Some of the most important leaders of the Indian freedom struggle include Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Subhash Chandra Bose. Gandhi was a pioneer of nonviolent resistance, and his methods were instrumental in the success of the Indian independence movement. Nehru was a leading figure in the Indian National Congress, and he served as the first prime minister of India after independence. Bose was a charismatic leader who founded the Indian National Army, an armed resistance movement that fought against British rule.

  3. What were some of the key events in the Indian freedom struggle?
    Some of the key events in the Indian freedom struggle include the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, the Quit India Movement, and the Partition of India. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre was a horrific event in which British troops opened fire on a crowd of unarmed protesters, killing hundreds of people. The Quit India movement was a mass protest movement that called for the British to leave India. The Partition of India was a violent event that divided India into two separate countries, India and Pakistan.

  4. What were the effects of the Indian freedom struggle?
    The Indian freedom struggle had a profound impact on India. It led to the end of British rule and the establishment of an independent Indian nation. The struggle also helped to unite the Indian people and to promote a sense of national identity.

  5. What are some of the legacies of the Indian freedom struggle?
    Some of the legacies of the Indian freedom struggle include the continued use of nonviolent resistance, the strong commitment to Democracy, and the diversity of the Indian people. Nonviolent resistance has been used by many other movements around the world, including the American civil rights movement and the South African anti-apartheid movement. The Indian people are fiercely committed to democracy, and India is one of the world’s largest democracies. The Indian people are also very diverse, and this diversity is one of the country’s greatest strengths.

  6. What are some of the challenges facing India today?
    Some of the challenges facing India today include POVERTY, Corruption, and religious violence. Poverty is a major problem in India, and millions of people live in slums and do not have access to basic necessities such as food, water, and sanitation. Corruption is also a major problem in India, and it has a negative impact on the economy and the Quality Of Life for many people. Religious violence is another problem in India, and it has led to the deaths of many people.

  7. What are some of the hopes for India’s future?
    Some of the hopes for India’s future include economic Growth, political stability, and social harmony. India is one of the world’s fastest growing economies, and it is expected to become a major economic power in the coming years. India is also a democracy, and it has a strong commitment to the Rule of Law. India is a diverse country, and there is hope that the people of India will be able to live together in peace and harmony.

  8. What are some of the ways in which the world can help India?
    The world can help India in a number of ways. The world can provide financial assistance to India, which can help to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life for many people. The world can also provide technical assistance to India, which can help to improve the Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE and the economy. The world can also promote peace and understanding between India and Its Neighbors, which can help to reduce the risk of conflict.

  9. What are some of the things that India can do to help itself?
    India can do a number of things to help itself. India can invest in Education and healthcare, which can help to improve the quality of life for many people. India can also promote economic growth, which can help to reduce poverty and create jobs. India can also promote peace and understanding between its different religious and ethnic groups, which can help to reduce the risk of conflict.

  10. What are some of the things that you can do to help India?
    There are a number of things that you can do to help India. You can donate Money to organizations that are working to improve the lives of people in India. You can also volunteer your time to organizations that are working to help India. You can also educate yourself about India and its culture, which can help you to understand the challenges that India is facing.

Here are 10 MCQs without mentioning the topic Indian Freedom Struggle:

  1. Who was the first President of India?
  2. Who was the first Prime Minister of India?
  3. What is the national animal of India?
  4. What is the national bird of India?
  5. What is the national flower of India?
  6. What is the national language of India?
  7. What is the National Anthem of India?
  8. What is the National Flag of India?
  9. What is the capital of India?
  10. What is the population of India?

Answers:
1. Dr. Rajendra Prasad
2. Jawaharlal Nehru
3. Tiger
4. Peacock
5. Lotus
6. Hindi
7. Jana Gana Mana
8. Saffron, white, green, and navy blue
9. New Delhi
10. 1.38 billion (2022)

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