The British government, realising that they lacked the military strength to control the situation, announced early in 1947 that they would leave India no later than June 1948. The idea was to try to shock the Indians into adopting a more responsible attitude. Lord Louis Mountbatten was sent as the new viceroy, and he soon decided that partition was the only way to avoid civil war. He realised that there would probably be bloodshed whatever solution was tried, but felt that partition would produce less violence than if Britain tried to insist on the Muslims remaining part of India. Within six weeks Mountbatten had worked out a plan for dividing the country up and for the British withdrawal. This was accepted by Jinnah and Nehru, although M. K. Gandhi, known as the Mahatma (Great Soul), the other highly respected Congress leader, who believed in non-violence, was still hoping for a united India. Afraid that delay would cause more violence, Mountbatten brought the date for British withdrawal forward to August 1947.
(Source: Norman Lowe, “Mastering Modern World History”)
Statement 1: Lord Mountbatten was India’s last British governor-general.
Statement 2: As per the Indian Independence Act, India was to be partitioned in 1948.
[1 mark]
The British government, realising that they lacked the military strength to control the situation, announced early in 1947 that they would leave India no later than June 1948. The idea was to try to shock the Indians into adopting a more responsible attitude. Lord Louis Mountbatten was sent as the new viceroy, and he soon decided that partition was the only way to avoid civil war. He realised that there would probably be bloodshed whatever solution was tried, but felt that partition would produce less violence than if Britain tried to insist on the Muslims remaining part of India. Within six weeks Mountbatten had worked out a plan for dividing the country up and for the British withdrawal. This was accepted by Jinnah and Nehru, although M. K. Gandhi, known as the Mahatma (Great Soul), the other highly respected Congress leader, who believed in non-violence, was still hoping for a united India. Afraid that delay would cause more violence, Mountbatten brought the date for British withdrawal forward to August 1947.
(Source: Norman Lowe, “Mastering Modern World History”)
Statement 1: Lord Mountbatten was India’s last British governor-general.
Statement 2: As per the Indian Independence Act, India was to be partitioned in 1948.
[1 mark]
The correct option is A Statement 1 is true, but Statement 2 is false.
Lord Mountbatten, the last British governor-general of India, came to the conclusion that partitioning India was going to be necessary. On 15 August 1947, he became the last British governor-general of a partitioned India.
Lord Mountbatten, the last British governor-general of India, came to the conclusion that partitioning India was going to be necessary. On 15 August 1947, he became the last British governor-general of a partitioned India.
