Post-War National Scenario: Chapter 24 - Spectrum | Modern India Series

Presented by: Abhishek Srivastava, Core Faculty (History and Culture), PW OnlyIAS

Key Topics Covered

Study Material Continuation: Following the previous session on the Quit India Movement, this chapter delves into the post-war national scenario and the events that led to India's independence.

Key Points

Background

• World War II: 1939-1945.
  • Two paths were followed:
    • Gandhi's Path: Non-violent resistance.
    • Subhash Chandra Bose's Path: Armed struggle with Indian National Army (INA).
• Quit India Movement (1942) made clear to the British that they had to leave India.
• Post-war, negotiations and smaller struggles emerged.

National Upsurges

• Two main trends post-war:
  • Negotiations: Leading to eventual independence but also partition.
  • Small Struggles: Led mainly by communists (e.g., INA trials, RIN mutiny, local farmer struggles in Tebhaga, Telangana, etc.).
• Main Political Parties:
  • Indian National Congress: Led by Nehru; focused on negotiations.
  • Muslim League: Also focused on negotiations but eventually leading to partition.
• 1945 Wavell Plan: Highlighting the importance of Muslim League.

Changing British Attitude

• Post-WWII realities: British power diminished with the rise of the USA and USSR.
• 1945: Labour government under Clement Attlee and Pethick-Lawrence comes to power in the UK, making way for Indian elections and a Constituent Assembly.
• Increased Favor: Labour government pro-freedom for colonies.
• British Economic Decline: Britain's debts (including 1.2 billion pounds to India and the US lend-lease) required acknowledgment of India's independence.

Indian Response and Mobilization

• Independence Election Campaigns: 1945-1946.
  • Congress showed support for INA veterans, building mass momentum (e.g., INA week).

Key Events Leading to Independence

• INA Trials: Open trials intended to show INA as traitors backfired, garnering mass support for INA soldiers.
• Major Incidents:
  • 21st November 1945: Kolkata students' rally supporting INA trials faced police violence.
  • 11th February 1946: Rashid Ali trial led to further student protests in Kolkata.
  • 18th February 1946: RIN Mutiny in Bombay (HMS Talwar) over poor conditions and British racial discrimination.
• Strikes and Riots: Spread across India showing widespread dissent and inability of British to control the situation.

Formation of Interim Government

• Due to escalating violence and political deadlock, British conceded to forming an Indian interim government (September 1946) led by Jawaharlal Nehru.
• October 1946: Inclusion of the Muslim League after some negotiation.

British Realization and Strategy Shifts

• Cabinet Mission (March 1946): To discuss the transfer of power, leading to Cabinet Mission Plan May 1946.
• Groupings: Provinces grouped into three categories based on majority populations.
  • Group A: Hindu-majority provinces (Madras, Bombay, UP, etc.)
  • Group B: Northwest Muslim-majority provinces (Punjab, Sindh, etc.)
  • Group C: Northeast Muslim-majority provinces (Bengal, Assam)
• Constituent Assembly Formation: 389 members to draft the constitution.
• Separate Electorates: Continuation fostering communal divisions further.

Communalism and Its Growth

• Initial phases: Harmony and cultural commonalities existed between Hindus and Muslims (e.g., в Bengal and Punjab they lived harmoniously).
• 1857 Rebellion: Fought together but post-1857 differences exacerbated through British policies.
• Rising Middle Class: Education and economic opportunities tilted toward Hindus due to early reforms.
• Communal Historiography: British and some Indian historians promoted divisive interpretations of history.
• Social and Religious Reforms: Focused on particular communities increased polarization.
• Post-Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922): Political mobilization with a religious angle began solidifying communal identities.
• 1937 Elections: Poor performance of Muslim League; mobilization efforts by Jinnah, leading to the Lahore Resolution (1940) advocating for Pakistan.

Conclusion

• Final Realization: British understood continuing their rule was untenable. The rise of violent communalism, lacking effective political consensus, and relentless nationalist movements clinched the eventual decision for independence but at the cost of partition.
• Communal Violence: Escalated in 1946, demonstrating the urgent need for a political resolution.
• Negotiations and Transfer of Power: 1946-1947 discussions culminated in the establishment of two sovereign states, India and Pakistan.