30 Questions
Why did the Maharaja of Bikaner influence the decision regarding Ferozepur headworks?
Because Ferozepur headworks supplied water to the princely state of Bikaner
How was the population's will ascertained in the District of Sylhet?
Through a referendum
Why was Karimganj separated from Sylhet and given to India?
Because India needed to have improved connectivity with the state of Tripura
What was the outcome of the referendum in the District of Sylhet?
The people voted to join East Pakistan
What was the demographic makeup of Karimganj?
A majority of Muslims
What was the role of the Maharaja of Bikaner in the decision regarding Karimganj?
He influenced the decision to give Karimganj to India
What was the condition given by Mountbatten to the Muslim League regarding the plan?
To accept the plan, or there would be no Pakistan
What was the outcome of the British Parliament's approval of the Indian Independence Act?
The division of India into two separate dominions
What was the role of the Governor General in each dominion?
To give consent to any ordinary bill on behalf of the Crown
What was the result of the passage of the Indian Independence Act on the native states?
The paramountcy of the British Crown over the native states came to an end
What was the purpose of the Radcliffe Award?
To demarcate the boundaries of Punjab and Bengal
How many members were on each of the two commissions set up for the Radcliffe Award?
4 members
What was the controversial decision made by the Boundary Commission?
Giving Muslim majority districts of Gurdaspur, Ferozpur and Zira to India
What was the result of the division of the armed forces, stores, and other assets and liabilities between India and Pakistan?
Each dominion was free to manage its own assets and liabilities
What was the alternative name of the Partition Plan of 3 June 1947?
The Mountbatten Plan
How many successor authorities were to receive power from the British according to the Partition Plan?
Two
Which of the following provinces was to be given the option of joining either India or Pakistan?
North West Frontier Province
What was to provide provisional guidance to the two successor nations until they could formulate their own constitutions?
The Government of India Act (1935)
Which party was the first to accept the Partition Plan of June 3rd, 1947?
The Congress Party
What was the reason for denying the North West Frontier Province the option of independence?
Because Bengal and Punjab had been denied that option
What was the reason for the All-India Muslim League's reluctance to accept the Partition Plan?
Because partitioning of Bengal and Punjab were not acceptable to them
What was to be decided through a referendum in the North West Frontier Province?
Whether to join India or Pakistan
Which of the following districts was detached from Sylhet district and gifted to India?
Karimganj
What was the result of not receiving three additional Muslim majority districts at Punjab's division?
Pakistan lost control over its three eastern rivers
What was the purpose of the World Bank sponsored treaty?
To specify the rights & obligations of each country in sharing water from the Indus and its tributaries
According to the 1941 census of India, how many thesils of Gurdaspur District had Muslim majorities?
3
Why was the Pathankot tehsil of Gurdaspur District strategically important to India?
It provided an all-weather access to Srinagar (Kashmir)
What was the reason behind the fear expressed by the Sikh community regarding Gurdaspur District?
They feared that their communities would be dispersed
Why did the Ferozepur District go with India?
The headworks of river Beas are located in Ferozepur
What was the consequence of the Partition plan awarding only the Shakargarh tehsil to Pakistan?
India gained control over the entire Gurdaspur District
Study Notes
The Partition Plan of 1947
- The Partition Plan was announced on June 3, 1947, by Lord Mountbatten, the last viceroy of India, and is also known as the Mountbatten Plan.
- The plan aimed to transfer power to two successor authorities, the Congress and the Muslim League, which would form the dominions of India and Pakistan.
- Both successor states would remain part of the British Commonwealth.
Territorial Provisions
- The states of Bengal, Punjab, and Assam would be partitioned, with the exception of Sylhet district in Assam, which would decide its fate through a referendum.
- Princely states could choose to remain independent or join either India or Pakistan.
- A referendum would be held in the North West Frontier Province to determine whether it would join India or Pakistan.
Reaction to the Partition Plan
- The Congress Party accepted the plan, demanding the partitioning of Bengal and Punjab, and later requesting that the North West Frontier Province be allowed to opt for independence, which was denied.
- The All-India Muslim League (AIML) was initially reluctant to accept the plan, but eventually did so, albeit reluctantly, calling it a "compromised settlement".
The Indian Independence Act
- The British Parliament approved the Indian Independence Act on July 18, 1947, which authorized the constituent assemblies of India and Pakistan to legislate their own laws.
- The Act also empowered the Governor-General of each dominion to give consent to ordinary bills on behalf of the Crown.
The Radcliffe Award
- The Radcliffe Award, announced by Sir Cyril Radcliffe, demarcated the boundaries of Punjab and Bengal, separating Muslim-majority areas from non-Muslim ones.
- Controversially, the boundary commission awarded Muslim-majority districts of Gurdaspur, Ferozpur, and Zira to India, and the Karimganj sub-district to India, despite Sylhet district having voted to join East Pakistan.
Reasons for Awarding Territories
- Gurdaspur District was awarded to India due to its strategic importance, including the Pathankot tehsil's access to Srinagar (Kashmir), the location of the Madhopur headworks of the upper Bari Doab canal, and the concerns of the Sikh community.
- Ferozepur District was awarded to India due to the location of the headworks of river Beas, which supplied water to the princely state of Bikaner.
- Karimganj was awarded to India to improve connectivity with the state of Tripura, despite having a majority of Muslims.
Learn about the Partition Plan of 1947, also known as the Mountbatten Plan, which divided India into two dominions, India and Pakistan, and transferred power to the Congress and the Muslim League.
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