Road to Independence | Lec 35 | Complete Modern History | UPSC CSE | StudyIQ IAS

Summary

The video discusses key events in India's struggle for independence during and after World War II. It covers the failure of the Simla Conference, the impact of the INA Trials, and the Royal Indian Navy Mutiny. The Cabinet Mission of 1946 and political developments, including the rise of nationalism and the shift in British attitudes, are explored. The script highlights how these events culminated in the declaration of Indian independence, detailing the complex negotiations, tensions between Congress and the Muslim League, and Britain's eventual decision to leave India by 1947.

Takeaways

• 😀 The failure of the Shimla Conference in 1945 led to the escalation of political tensions in India, particularly with Jinnah's demand for Muslim League representation in the Cabinet.
• 😀 The INA (Indian National Army) trials in 1945 became a major catalyst for anti-British protests across the country, with national leaders and the public rallying in support of the INA soldiers as national heroes.
• 😀 The political climate in India shifted post-World War II, with rising nationalism and increasing public dissatisfaction with British rule.
• 😀 In response to the growing unrest, British Prime Minister Clement Attlee and his government made moves towards resolving the Indian independence issue as quickly as possible.
• 😀 The Royal Indian Navy mutiny in February 1946 was a significant challenge to British authority, signaling the deepening discontent among the Indian armed forces and the broader population.
• 😀 The Cabinet Mission, sent by the British government in 1946, proposed a new constitutional framework, rejecting the demand for Pakistan but offering a group-based federal system for India.
• 😀 The Congress and the Muslim League interpreted the Cabinet Mission differently, leading to further political strife, with the League eventually calling for the 'Direct Action Day' in August 1946.
• 😀 By the end of 1946, despite the failure of the Shimla Conference and Cabinet Mission Plan, the British government recognized that Indian independence was inevitable due to mounting pressure from all sides.
• 😀 The period between 1945-46 saw widespread labor unrest, with strikes, protests, and demonstrations across industries, signaling the widespread desire for independence among the Indian masses.
• 😀 The growing strength of the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League, along with increasing unrest and the support of the US and Soviet Union for India's independence, ultimately led to the declaration of Indian independence by the British in 1947.

Q & A

What was the purpose of the Shimla Conference in 1945?

The Shimla Conference, organized in June 1945, aimed to discuss the formation of an Indian Executive Council with the British government. The idea was to include Indian leaders in decision-making while keeping the Viceroy and Commander-in-Chief as the only British members. It also sought to ensure equal representation for Hindus, Muslims, and Scheduled Castes in the council. However, the conference failed due to disagreements, particularly over the demand by the Muslim League to have exclusive rights to nominate Muslim members.

Why did the Shimla Conference fail?

The Shimla Conference failed because of disagreements between the Congress and the Muslim League. The League demanded that only they should have the right to nominate Muslim members to the Executive Council, which Congress rejected. This would have implied that Congress would be seen as a party only for Hindus, which was unacceptable, especially as the President of the Congress at that time was Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, a Muslim.

What was the significance of the INA trials in 1945?

The trials of Indian National Army (INA) officers in 1945 played a major role in galvanizing the Indian freedom struggle. The British accused the INA soldiers of betrayal for taking up arms against the British during WWII. However, they were seen as national heroes by the Indian public. Widespread protests erupted across the country, and Congress supported their cause, highlighting the widespread support for Indian independence and the growing discontent with British rule.

How did the British government change its attitude towards India after World War II?

After World War II, the British government’s attitude towards India began to shift due to several factors. The economic and military strain from the war had weakened Britain. At the same time, the United States and the Soviet Union emerged as global superpowers, both supporting India's demand for freedom. Additionally, the Indian Navy mutiny, INA agitation, and growing nationalist sentiments showed that British forces could no longer rely on Indian personnel to maintain control.

What was the Indian Navy mutiny of 1946, and why was it important?

The Indian Navy mutiny of 1946, starting in Bombay, was a significant event where Indian naval ratings protested against poor conditions, racial discrimination, and mistreatment. The mutiny spread to other naval units and received widespread support from the public, workers, and other armed forces. It was a turning point in the Indian struggle for independence, signaling that British authority in India was increasingly under threat.

What role did the Cabinet Mission Plan play in India's independence?

The Cabinet Mission Plan, announced in March 1946, aimed to facilitate a peaceful transfer of power from the British to India. The plan proposed a federal structure with three groups of provinces, ensuring autonomy for provinces and allowing them to decide on the future constitution. The plan rejected the demand for Pakistan but accepted the idea of grouping provinces. Both Congress and the Muslim League had differing interpretations of the plan, leading to further political tensions.

Why did the Muslim League reject the Cabinet Mission Plan?

The Muslim League initially accepted the Cabinet Mission Plan but later withdrew its acceptance, especially after Jinnah declared 'Direct Action Day' on August 16, 1946. The League's main objection was that they viewed the plan's grouping provision as optional, whereas they wanted it to be mandatory to ensure Muslim-majority areas could form a separate state. The League also pushed for the creation of Pakistan, which was not provided for in the Cabinet Mission Plan.

What was 'Direct Action Day,' and what impact did it have?

Direct Action Day, declared by the Muslim League on August 16, 1946, was a call for Muslims to express their demand for Pakistan. It led to widespread communal riots across India, especially in Calcutta. The violence marked a significant escalation in the political tensions between the Congress and the Muslim League, and it deepened the divisions between Hindus and Muslims, pushing the country closer to the eventual partition.

What was the significance of the election results of 1946 in India?

The 1946 provincial elections were a significant political development in India. The Congress won a large majority in general seats, while the Muslim League made significant gains in Muslim-majority provinces. This outcome demonstrated the growing influence of both parties and highlighted the deepening divide between the two, with Congress seeking a united India and the Muslim League advocating for a separate Pakistan.

What were the major factors that led to the partition of India in 1947?

Several factors contributed to the partition of India in 1947. These included the growing demand for Pakistan by the Muslim League, the rising communal tensions between Hindus and Muslims, the failure of negotiations such as the Cabinet Mission Plan, and the weakening of British control over India. The political deadlock, combined with the increasing urgency for a resolution, led to the decision to divide India into two independent nations: India and Pakistan.