Lord Louis Mountbatten served as the last Viceroy of British India (March 1947 – August 1947) and the first Governor-General of independent India (August 1947 – June 1948). He played a crucial role in the partition of India and the transfer of power.
1. Key Events During Lord Mountbatten’s Tenure
1.1 Mountbatten Plan (June 3, 1947)
✔ Proposed partition of India into two independent nations – India and Pakistan.
✔ Allowed princely states to join either India or Pakistan.
✔ Based on consultation with Indian leaders.
✔ Plan was accepted by Congress, Muslim League, and Sikh leaders.
1.2 Indian Independence Act (July 18, 1947)
✔ Passed by British Parliament, implementing the Mountbatten Plan.
✔ India and Pakistan were officially granted independence on August 15, 1947.
✔ Ended British rule in India.
1.3 Partition of India (August 15, 1947)
✔ India was divided into two nations – India and Pakistan.
✔ Led to massive communal riots, resulting in over a million deaths.
✔ Mass migration of nearly 15 million people across borders.
1.4 Integration of Princely States
✔ Over 550 princely states had to decide whether to join India or Pakistan.
✔ Sardar Patel and V.P. Menon played a key role in merging states into India.
✔ Junagadh, Hyderabad, and Kashmir created major disputes.
1.5 Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi (January 30, 1948)
✔ Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse.
✔ Mountbatten called it the greatest tragedy in Indian history.
2. Important Developments
✔ First Governor-General of Independent India (August 15, 1947 – June 21, 1948).
✔ Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister of India.
✔ Pakistan was created with Muhammad Ali Jinnah as its first Governor-General.
✔ Mountbatten resigned in June 1948, succeeded by C. Rajagopalachari as the first Indian Governor-General.
3. MCQs on Lord Mountbatten’s Tenure
- Which plan led to the partition of India?
- (a) Cripps Mission
- (b) Cabinet Mission Plan
- (c) Mountbatten Plan
- (d) August Offer
- Answer: (c) Mountbatten Plan
- When did India officially gain independence?
- (a) June 3, 1947
- (b) July 18, 1947
- (c) August 14, 1947
- (d) August 15, 1947
- Answer: (d) August 15, 1947
- Who was the first Governor-General of independent India?
- (a) Lord Mountbatten
- (b) Jawaharlal Nehru
- (c) C. Rajagopalachari
- (d) Muhammad Ali Jinnah
- Answer: (a) Lord Mountbatten
- Which Indian leader played a key role in integrating princely states?
- (a) Mahatma Gandhi
- (b) Sardar Patel
- (c) Jawaharlal Nehru
- (d) Lord Mountbatten
- Answer: (b) Sardar Patel
- Who was the first Governor-General of Pakistan?
- (a) Lord Mountbatten
- (b) Muhammad Ali Jinnah
- (c) Liaquat Ali Khan
- (d) Ayub Khan
- Answer: (b) Muhammad Ali Jinnah
4. Subjective Questions on Lord Mountbatten
- Explain the main provisions of the Mountbatten Plan.
- Describe the effects of the partition of India.
- How did Sardar Patel and V.P. Menon help in integrating princely states?
- Discuss the role of Lord Mountbatten in India’s independence.
- What were the major challenges faced by India after independence?
5. Conclusion
Lord Mountbatten played a key role in India’s independence and partition. His tenure saw both the birth of a new nation and tragic communal violence. His leadership during this crucial period remains one of the most debated aspects of modern Indian history.
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