Maharashtra Board Class 8 History Chapter 12 India gains Independence PDF Download

India Gains Independence

During the period of Second World War, Indian freedom struggle had become more extensive. The demand for independence of India was gaining its strength. The British rulers realised that it was necessary to take a serious note of it. Accordingly, the British government started preparing various plans for granting Independence to India.

The Indian National Congress was founded on the principle of secularism. People of all caste and religion had taken part in the national struggle. To weaken this movement the British adopted the policy of 'divide and rule'. Its consequence was the establishment of 'Muslim League'.

In 1930, Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, a well known poet, put forth the thought of an independent Muslim state. Later Chaudhary Rahmat Ali put up the idea of Pakistan. Barrister Muhammad Ali Jinnah put forth the two Nation theory and demanded a separate Muslim nation named Pakistan. Indian National Congress was only a Hindu organisation, the muslims have no benefit of it; such kind of propaganda was started by Barrister Jinnah and the Muslim League.

Wavell Plan

In June 1945, Lord Wavell, the Viceroy of India drew up a plan. There were different provisions in this plan. Accordingly some of its provisions were that in central and provincial legislatures Muslims, Dalits and minorities should be given proper representation and there will be equal number of Hindu and Muslim members in Viceroy's Executive Council. A meeting of all major political parties in India was organised at Simla to consider the Wavell Plan. 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 the Congress opposed it. Therefore the Wavell plan could not be successful.

Teacher's Note

The Wavell Plan tried to give equal power to Hindus and Muslims. Just like today we have different religions in one country, the British wanted both communities to have equal say in the government.

Exam Trick

Remember: Wavell Plan = Equal Hindu and Muslim members. Think of it like dividing a pizza equally between two friends.

Points to Remember

Wavell Plan was made in June 1945.
It gave representation to Muslims, Dalits and minorities.
Jinnah wanted only Muslim League to choose Muslim members.
Congress opposed this demand.
So the plan failed.

Cabinet Mission

After the end of Second World War the British rulers were in favour of granting freedom to India. In the Parliament, British Prime Minister Attlee clarified the British policy regarding India. According to it, the right of Indian people to draft their own Constitution was recognised. It was also made clear that the issue of minorities will not come in the way of India's Independence. In March 1946, a delegation of British ministers namely Pethick Lawrence, Stafford Cripps and A.V. Alexander put forth England's plan regarding India in front of the Indian leaders. This is called 'Cabinet Mission'. Some of the provision in the plan were not acceptable to the Congress. Similarly, there was no provision of independent state for the muslims, so the Muslim League was unsatisfied. Therefore Cabinet Mission was not fully accepted.

Teacher's Note

The Cabinet Mission brought three British ministers to talk with Indian leaders. Like when your parents call a family meeting to solve problems, Britain called a meeting to solve India's problems.

Exam Trick

Remember: Cabinet Mission = Three ministers came. Their names start with P, S, and A. Think "PSA" = Plan for Separate Agreement.

Points to Remember

Cabinet Mission came in March 1946.
Three British ministers came to India.
Both Congress and Muslim League were not happy with the plan.
Congress wanted united India.
Muslim League wanted Pakistan.

Direct Action Day

Since the demand for Pakistan was not being fulfilled, the Muslim League decided for direct action. Accordingly, 16 August 1946, was declared to be observed as 'Direct Action Day' by the Muslim League. 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. To stop this violence Gandhiji went there without giving any thought to his own life. He tried his best to establish peace there.

Teacher's Note

Direct Action Day brought violence and sadness to India. Like when two friends fight badly, the whole class becomes upset. Gandhiji helped to bring peace.

Exam Trick

Remember: Direct Action Day = 16 August 1946. It brought violence and sad memories. Think "D.A.D = Danger And Darkness".

Points to Remember

Direct Action Day was on 16 August 1946.
Muslim League declared this day for direct action.
There were Hindu-Muslim riots everywhere.
There were massacres in Noakhali, Bengal.
Gandhiji went there to bring peace.

Establishment Of Interim Government

While the blaze of violence had arisen in the country, Viceroy Wavell established the Interim Government. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was the head of this government. The Muslim League initially denied to participate in the Interim Government, but later, participated in it. But since the leaders of Muslim League adopted the policy of obstruction, hence the Interim Government could not work smoothly.

Teacher's Note

The Interim Government was like a practice government before full independence. Pandit Nehru was the leader. But the Muslim League made it difficult by not cooperating.

Exam Trick

Remember: Interim = In-between. It was a government between British rule and full independence. Think of it as practice before the real exam.

Points to Remember

Interim Government was made by Viceroy Wavell.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was the head.
Muslim League first refused to join, then joined.
Muslim League did not cooperate with Congress.
So the government could not work well.

Mountbatten Plan

England's Prime Minister Atlee had announced that England would leave its dominion on India before June 1948. On the background of transfer of power in India, Lord Mountbatten was appointed as Viceroy of India. Mountbatten held discussions with prominent leaders of India. Thereafter, he prepared a plan of creation of India and Pakistan as two independent nations. Indian National Congress opposed the plan of partition. Unity of the nation, was the basic stand of Indian National Congress, but the Muslim League remained adamant on the creation of Pakistan. National Congress was left with no option but to accept the decision of partition with complete helplessness.

Teacher's Note

The Mountbatten Plan divided India into two countries. The Congress wanted one united India, but the Muslim League wanted Pakistan. This was a sad but necessary decision.

Exam Trick

Remember: Mountbatten Plan = Partition Plan. It split India into two. Think "Mount = Mountain that divides two valleys = India divided into two countries".

Points to Remember

Mountbatten was appointed as Viceroy of India.
He made a plan to create two nations.
Congress opposed partition but had to accept it.
Muslim League wanted Pakistan and got it.
The plan was approved and partition happened.

Indian Independence Act

On 18 July 1947, on the basis of Mountbatten Plan, the Indian Independence Act was passed in British Parliament. On 15 August 1947, the two independent nations India and Pakistan will come into existence. Thereafter the British Parliament will not have any control over them. The British supremacy over the princely states will also come to an end. The Act provided them the right to either join India or Pakistan or remain independent.

Teacher's Note

The Indian Independence Act was like a legal paper that gave freedom to India. It was passed on 18 July 1947, and freedom came on 15 August 1947. Like getting an approval letter for something you want.

Exam Trick

Remember: Act passed = 18 July. Freedom day = 15 August. There are 28 days between them. Think "Two-Eight (28) = Act date, One-Five (15) = Freedom day".

Points to Remember

Indian Independence Act was passed on 18 July 1947.
India became free on 15 August 1947.
Pakistan also became independent on the same day.
British Parliament lost control over India and Pakistan.
Princely states could join India or Pakistan or stay independent.

India Gains Independence

As per the Indian Independence Act, India was granted independence on 15 August 1947. A meeting of the Constituent Assembly was going on in the hall of Parliament House in Delhi in the midnight of 14 August 1947. At the stroke of midnight hour, India's dependence came to an end. The Union Jack of Britain was lowered and in its place the Indian tricolour flag was unfurled. India attained Independence from the 150 years of slavery.

The joy of attainment of freedom was not untinted. Indian people were grieved due to the partition of the country and the terrible violence during that period. Instead of joining the celebration of Independence, Gandhiji was striving hard in Bengal. Within six months of attainment of freedom of India, Gandhiji was brutally assassinated by Nathuram Godse on 30 January 1948. Gandhiji strove day and night to preserve Hindu Muslim unity and laid down his life for the same.

Teacher's Note

On 15 August 1947, at midnight, India became free. The British flag came down and the Indian flag went up. But Gandhiji was sad about partition. He worked for peace and died for it.

Exam Trick

Remember: 15 August 1947 = Independence Day. Gandhiji died on 30 January 1948. He died six months after independence while working for peace and unity.

Points to Remember

India became free on 15 August 1947 at midnight.
The British flag came down and Indian flag went up.
It was 150 years of slavery that ended.
Partition brought sadness and violence to many people.
Gandhiji died on 30 January 1948 while fighting for unity.

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