Key Events Leading to Indian Independence

Outbreak of WWII and Resignation of Congress Ministries (1939)

  • Lord Linlithgow announced India's involvement in WWII without consultation.

  • AINC (All India National Congress) protested and demanded immediate power transfer to India.

  • Congress ministries resigned in protest (October 1939).

Day of Deliverance

  • Muslim League announced 'Day of Deliverance' on 22nd December 1939 in response to Congress resignation.

  • Celebrated by Muslims and some anti-Congress non-Muslims.

August Offer (1940)

  • Congress reduced demands to interim government power transfer.

  • August Offer included:

    • Promise of Dominion Status for India.

    • Setup of representative body for new Constitution post-WWII.

    • Expansion of Viceroy’s Executive Council with more Indian members (defense, foreign affairs, finance remained British-controlled).

    • Minority interests, particularly Muslims, would be safeguarded.

  • Congress Rejection:

    • Dominance of full independence over Dominion Status (Nehru).

    • Alarm about strengthening anti-Congress (Muslim League).

  • Muslim League Rejection:

    • Demanded partition and a separate Muslim state.

Cripps Mission Rejection

  • Nehru’s Shock at Cripps Proposals (1942).

  • Congress Rejection Reasons:

    • No full independence offered; only Dominion Status.

    • Representation of Princely States unrepresentative.

    • Provisions allowed provinces to secede (accommodating Pakistan proposal).

  • Muslim League Rejection: Opposed single Indian Union.

Quit India Resolution (QIR)

  • 8th August 1942: Call for mass movement led by Gandhi for independence.

  • Government’s immediate crackdown: Arrested key Congress leaders on 9th August 1942.

Repressive Measures by British Government

  • Brutal suppression of Quit India Movement with arrests and violence.

  • Estimated: 90,000 imprisoned, many killed.

Change in British Attitude after WWII

  • Economic crisis post-WWII forced Britain to reconsider colonial policies.

  • Emergence of superpowers (USSR, USA) shifted global dynamics, reducing Britain's dominance.

  • Labour Party victory in 1945 inclined Britain towards Indian independence.

Cabinet Mission and its Rejection (1946)

  • Congress rejected grouping of provinces in Cabinet Mission Plan; controversy regarding the Muslim League's role.

Mountbatten Plan and Indian Independence Act (1947)

  • Lord Mountbatten's June 3 Plan called for the partition leading to two new dominions: India and Pakistan.

  • Indian Independence Act (15th July 1947):

    • Established India and Pakistan.

    • Each dominion to have a Governor-General.

    • Princely States gained independence; end of British rule in India.