Summary

Modern Indian History Class 36

Revision of the previous class (04:36 PM)

Second phase Activity (04:42 PM)

Government officials leaked information about Raids.
Businessmen donated generously. Example: Sumati Morarji gave a different car Each day to Achyut Patwardhan.
Pilots and Trained drivers delivered Bombs and Arms.
British wanted MG to condemn violence, Instead MG started Fast unto death(1943) against British Vilonence And Now:
a)New Energy to masses led to a fresh mass upsurge.
b)Indian ministers in VEC resigned as did not want blame for MG's death.
c)International media criticized British repression in QIM.
d)Even those against QIM demanded MG release therefore the fast increased unity.
The parallel government was set up in different parts as British rule was overthrown in these parts For Example in Ballia in Eastern UP by chittu Pandey
In Midnapore, East Bengal called Jatia sarkar plus in Satara-Patri Sarkar under Nana Patil who was given Guidance by YB Chavan and Achyut Patwardhan(Most Successful parallel Government)
These parallel governments collected their taxes, Setup own courts, set up libraries and promoted education, and worked against untouchability and prohibition.
Set up their police and did relief work by giving food and shelter.
With the end of WW II, All INC leaders were released in June 1945 to participate in the Shimla conference, and this marked end of QIM(1942-45).
Also, Churchill wanted a solution for India before the election in Britain (For More votes).

Bengal Famine 1943 (05:18 PM)

4-5 Million Indians were killed.
There was no actual food shortage therefore it was man-made famine as food supplies were diverted for the British war effort and to Europe.
Plus Poor Management of logistics and supplies by the Government.
Plus Rice could not be imported from Burma since it was under Japan.
Linlithgow 3643 suggested to Churchill to stop the export of Rise from Bengal but Churchill refused.
Impact:
This led to Huge distrust of the British among Indians and Churchill was criticized as Hitler like in Britain Many in Britiannow positively thought about Independence from India. (Link Anti Government opinion in US@Vietnam war 1961-75)
This is because European lives were prioritized above Indian Lives.

Rajaji Formula 1944 (05:33 PM)

Given by C . Rajagopalachari
And Basis for Negotiation between MG and Jinnah.
Goal:
By 1944 clear that the axis will lose the war. Therefore hope for a transfer of power post-war.
Ensure the territorial integrity of India by having unity between INC and ML. (Link LP 1916)
Proposals:
ML should support Purna swaraj
INC-ML should form a coalition government at the centre (Because the British were open to the Transfer of power even in the 1942 Cripps mission).
Plebiscite post-war in Muslim majority Regions on the question of partition.
If the vote is in favour of partition then a weak common centre and strong provinces.
Result:
Gandhi Jinnah's talks failed as Jinnah wanted:-
a)Voting based on separate electorates that are only Muslims Vote on the question of partition.
b)Not a weak common centre but an independent Pakistan.
c)Implement the above before the British leave.

Desai Liaqat pact 1945 (05:51 PM)

Bhulabhai Desai was leader of INC in CLA and LIaqat Ali of ML in CLA.
Goal:
Have INC-ML unity and give above mentioned Joined demands to the British.
Jinnah Refused knowledge of the pact and therefore failed.

Wavell plan 1945 (06:02 PM)

Was a product of the Shimla conference in June 1945 after the end of WW II and the release of INC leaders that ended QIM.
Based on the Desai Liaqat pact of 1945.
Wavell asked parties to either give a joint list of Ministers or each party may give a separate list.
The plan failed because ML wanted Muslim ministers only from ML, while INC argued that it is not a Hindu organization.
Declaration of failure by Wavell 4347 meant an implicit veto to ML since Failure was announced because ML could not be convinced.
The prestige of ML increased and it did very well in December 1945 election.

INA/Azad Hind Fauz (06:40 PM)

1942-INA setup under Captain Mohan Singh.
Mohan Singh was arrested due to conflict with the Japanese as he wanted a leading Role for Indian POWs against British India and equal treatment like an Ally Army.
Now Rash Behari Bose who was in Japan since 1915 took leadership of INA.
In July 1943 Netaji bose took over leadership from RB Bose and expanded INA by recruiting NRIs in South East Asia.
He Raised funds from among NRIs for INA as wanted Indian Money for INA instead of Japanese money.
He Raised the Rani Jhansi Regiment of women and they were also Gandhi and Nehru Regiment in INA.
He set up a provisional government of free India on 21 st October 1943.
1943 A&N island liberated by INA(Renamed as Swaraj Islands). Earlier Havelock island-(Havelock won back Kanpur in an 1857 revolt from Indians)
INA failed in Kohima and Imphal in 1944.

1944 plus (07:00 PM)

Clement Atleee became PM in July 1945.
INA trials of POWs began at Red fort with Trials of prem sehgal, Gurubaksh singh Dhillon and shahnabaz Hussain
This helped in communal Unity during the INA agitation 1945-46.
December 1945-Elections in India.
February 1946-Cabinet Mission arrived in India and on the same day Naval Mutiny

INA trials and INA agitation (07:07 PM)

INA trials led to a mass upsurge all across India among All Indian sections and were supported by All political parties.
Therefore maximum Unity throughout INM is seen during INA agitations.
British stated that there has been no issue in past INM which generated so much sympathy in Indians.
Therefore INA has truly Unified India.
INC made INA agitation part of the election campaign.
That demanded the release of INA men.
INC leaders led by Bullabhai Desai fought cases for INA men.
INC set up the INA relief committee which raised funds, Gave money to INA men on relives, and tried Rehab of INA men.
The first time some government officials openly supported the movement by contributing money.
During INA agitation there was mutiny in the Navy as Naval Ratings that workers/Sailors of the Navy went on strike.
Naval Mutiny February 1946
Reasons:
Fear of loss of Jobs after the war ended.
Had supported INA agitation by contributing money.
Poor service conditions and racial discrimination.
Action:
Revolted and Raised Tri Color Flags, Flags of INC, and ML on ships.
Wrote Quit India on ships Example: HMIS Talwar.
Went Around Bombay in Trucks with pictures of Netaji Bose.
Got the support of the Communists and now Bombay workers went on strike.
Were advised by Aruna Asaf Ali who coordinated their movement despite opposition by MG.
Naval Rating in Karachi and Airforce man went on sympathy strikes.
The mutiny ended due to a lack of support from INC and ML and British repression.
Jinnah and Patel calmed down ratings by holding Meetings.
Overall impact:
After QIM 1942-45, INA, INA agitations, and Naval mutiny, the British realized that if the cabinet mission fails then the next movement will overthrow them violently as they no more had confidence in Indian armed forces.

1945 Elections (07:37 PM)

INC got the majority everywhere except Punjab, Sindh, Bengal
INC formed a coalition government in Punjab with Akalis and Unionists.
ML did very well in Muslim seats and got a majority in Sindh and Bengal.

Cabinet Mission Plan, 1946 (07:51 PM)

Refer Flow chart as well.
Proposed a United India that is having British India and 565 Princely states.
The only Proposals were Poorna swaraj was offered and the British wanted a United India.
Atlee's Anti Partition statement, March 1946-Minority won't be allowed a veto over Majority.
Proposals-
No two CA and No veto to ML but Britain won't accept a constitution not based on the INC-ML compromise.
Reason:
British realised independence was inevitable(Also weakened by two world wars and the great depression in three decades 1914-45)
Therefore wanted a friendly strong and therefore United India.
Plus a Diplomatic failure of partition.
The goal of Cabinet mission 1946 was:
a)Peaceful Transfer of power (Government at the centre to Indians)
b)Setting up a CA for Independent India.
Cabinet plan 1946 provided a stake solution regarding the issue of partition.
A weak common centre has three subjects defence, foreign affairs, and communications.
Provincial autonomy over all other subjects.
And Residual powers with provinces(Confederation)
Provinces are to be divided into three sections-
a) Section A: Hindu majority provinces
b)Section B: Muslim majority provinces of west
c)Section C: Muslim majority provinces of East.
Each section would frame its group constitution that is section A will frame Gropu A's constitution,
Section B group B constitution and Section C group c constitution.
Union Constitution on 3 subjects to be framed by CA having nominees of princes and members from PLAs.
CA=Group A+b+c+Nominees of 565PS
After General elections, a province may come out of a group
Usually, the general election is after the framing of the constitution.
Future changes to group constitutions and Union constitutions only after 10 years
Immediate Transfer of power to Interim government at the centre.
Full independence once the constitution was drafted.
CA is constituted via indirect election in British India.
Plus Nominees of a princess.
Debates@Cabinet mission plan 1946
ML wanted the right to Question, the Union constitution immediately. (Because COI will say United India)
INC argued that grouping is not compulsory + Elected representatives from 565 PS instead of Nominees.
ML argued that grouping is compulsory.
And therefore the partition is implicit.
And if this is correct then ML accepts CMP 1946 else rejects it.
INC decided that NWFP and Assam Both joined Group B and C.
And therefore ML did not join CA, Also did not join the interim government at the centre formed under Nehru.
Later joined Interim Government due to fear of power with INC. Got finance ministry, therefore, didn't allow the government to function.
So ML gave a call for Direct action on 16 Aug 1946 for the creation of Pakistan leading to Communal riots, Ex: 5000 killed in a weak in Calcutta.

Atlee statement Feb 1947 (08:39 PM)

A pro-Balkanisation statement like Cripps's 1942
By June 30th, 1948 British will leave India even if No constitution(That is in one year)
Therefore wanted to force ML and INC into compromise using fear of Anarchy.
565 PS is not to be under any future GOI.(I.e paramountcy wont be transferred to any GOI)
Partition of British India as he stated that power will be transferred to an Interim government at the centre and to the provincial government of provinces that have not joined CA.that is for which CA not Representative.
Mountbatten(MTB) will replace Wavell 4347.
Now there was widespread violence and a coalition government of INC in Punjab was overthrown.
Plan Balkan by MTB, April 1947
Also known as Dickie Bird Plan
Give Independence to Each province plus an option for them to join CA or not.
Nehru's opposition, therefore, wasn't even discussed.
3rd June plan/MTB plan 1947/Partition
MTB within 2 months realized that CMP 1946 was a dead horse due to Jinnah.
Partition could have been avoided if the British have cracked down on communal violence but they played the passive role of Mediator between INC and ML.
MTB was working for the British National Interest of future influence in south Asia therefore better to have a friendly India and Pakistan instead of Risking an unfriendly future Pakistan.
MTB proposed dominion status and partition. Political victory in Britain if empire preserved.
And also commonwealth is economically important for Britain.
And dominion status would keep India in Commonwealth.
INC agreed because wanted communal violence to end plus since INC agreed to partition therefore all other demands of INC were accepted.
Example: Unitary structure, Informally No right to secede to 565 PS. And Pakistan to be as small as possible
Provisions
In Punjab and Bengal- a Simple Majority of either Hindu or Muslim MPLAs in favour of partition will lead to partition.
Plebiscite in sind, Referrendum in NWFP and sylhet of Assam.
Voting by political leaders in Baluchistan, If the vote is in favour of Pakistan then 2 CA and 2 dominions.
And TOP to two centres by 15th August 1947.
Two Boundary commissions both under Radcliffe for demarcating the borders in the west and east.
INC and ML both accepted and voted everywhere came in favour of partition.

The syllabus of Modern Indian History is completed.