1.Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.
(1) ………….. was the head of the Interim Government.
(a) Vallabhbhai Patel
(b) Mahatma Gandhi
(c) Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
(d) Barrister Jinnah
(2) The plan of creation of two independent nations, India and Pakistan, was made by ………….
(a) Lord Wavell
(b) Stafford Cripps
(c) Lord Mountbatten
(d) Pethick Lawrence
2. Answer the following questions in one sentence.
(1) Which demand was advocated by Barrister Jinnah ?
Ans. Barrister Muhammad Ali Jinnah put forth the two Nation theory and demanded a separate Muslim nation named Pakistan.
(2) Write the name of the ministers participating in Cabinet Mission.
Ans. The British ministers who participated in the Cabinet Mission were Pethick Lawrence, Stafford Cripps and A.V. Alexander.
3.Explain the following statements with reasons.
(1) The Indian National Congress approved the partition.
Ans. (1) To affect the transfer of power in India, England’s Prime Minister Atlee appointed Lord Mountbatten as the Viceroy of India. (2) He held discussions with prominent leaders of India. Thereafter, he prepared a plan of creation of India and Pakistan as two independent nations. (3) Indian National Congress opposed the plan of partition but the Muslim League remained adamant on the creation of Pakistan. (4) The Indian National Congress was left with no option but to accept the decision of partition with complete helplessness.
(2) The working of Interim government could not run smoothly.
Ans. (1) Viceroy Wavell established the Interim Government with Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru as the head (2) The Muslim League initially denied to participate in the Interim Government, but later, participated in it. (3) But since the leaders of Muslim League adopted the policy of obstruction, hence the Interim Government could not work smoothly.
(3) The Wavell Plan could not become successful.
Ans. (1) In June 1945, the Wavell Plan provided for proper representation to the Muslims, Dalits and minorities in the central and provincial legislatures. (2) It also provided for an equal number of Hindu and Muslim members in Viceroy’s Executive Council. (3) Barrister Jinnah insisted that only the Muslim League should have the right to suggest the names of
Muslim representatives to the Viceroy’s Executive Council. But this was opposed by the Congress. The Wavell plan therefore could not be successful.
4. Write the events on the following timeline.
Ans.
(1) 1945 – Wavell Plan. (2) 1946 – Cabinet Mission came to India. 16 August 1946 was observed as ‘Direct Action Day’ by the Muslim League. (3) 1947 – On 18 July 1947, the Indian Independence Act was passed in the British Parliament. On 15 August 1947, India was granted independence as per the Indian Independence Act. (4) 1948 – On 30 January 1948, Mahatma Gandhi was brutally assassinated by Nathuram Godse.
5.Answer the following questions in brief.
(1) Why did the British took steps towards granting freedom to India?
Ans. (1) The Indian freedom struggle had become more extensive during the Second World War. The demand for independence of India was gaining its strength. (2) The British rulers realised that it was necessary to take a serious note of it. (3) Accordingly, the British government started preparing various plans for granting Independence to India.
(2) Write information about Mountbatten Plan.
Ans. (1) Lord Mountbatten was appointed as Viceroy of India to affect the transfer of power in India. Mountbatten held discussions with prominent leaders of India. Thereafter, he prepared a plan of creation of India and Pakistan as two independent nations. (2) Indian National Congress opposed the plan of partition as it stood for the Unity of the nation, but the Muslim League remained adamant on the creation of Pakistan. (3) The Indian National Congress was left with no option but to accept the decision of partition with complete helplessness. (4) On 18 July 1947, on the basis of the Mountbatten Plan, the Indian Independence Act was passed in the British Parliament. On 15 August 1947, the two independent nations India and Pakistan come into existence.
(3) Why did Muslim League declare to observe 16 August as Direct Action Day? What were its effects?
Ans. (1) Since the demand for Pakistan was not being fulfilled, the Muslim League decided for direct action. (2) Accordingly, 16th August 1946, was declared to be observed as ‘Direct Action Day’ by the Muslim League. (3) The followers of Muslim League resorted to violent ways. There were Hindu-Muslim riots in various parts of the country. There were massacres in the Noakhali region in the province of Bengal.