🏛️ Flügel History

Chapter 6: Communalism, Partition of 1947, Integration of States & Constitution ​

1. The Road to Partition (1940–1947) ​

  • Lahore Resolution (March 1940): The All-India Muslim League under Muhammad Ali Jinnah formally adopted the demand for sovereign independent states in northwestern and eastern Muslim-majority zones (Two-Nation Theory).
  • Cabinet Mission Plan (May 1946): Pethick-Lawrence, Stafford Cripps, and A.V. Alexander proposed a three-tier federal union (Groups A, B, C) with weak center. Rejected over compulsory grouping interpretations.
  • Direct Action Day (August 16, 1946): Jinnah's call sparked the Great Calcutta Killings, triggering communal violence across Noakhali, Bihar, and Punjab.
  • Mountbatten Plan (3rd June 1947): Advanced the transfer of power to August 15, 1947; provided for the partition of British India and the demarcation of boundaries by the Radcliffe Boundary Commission.

Constitutional Path to 1947

2. Integration of the Princely States ​

Upon British withdrawal, 565 Princely States were given the legal option to join India, join Pakistan, or remain independent:

  • The Architects: Deputy Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (The 'Iron Man of India') and Secretary V.P. Menon.
  • Accession Mechanism: Instrument of Accession and Standstill Agreement conceding Defense, External Affairs, and Communications.
  • The Critical Flashpoints:
    1. Junagadh: Nawab fled to Pakistan; integrated into India following a massive public referendum (99.9% vote for India in Feb 1948).
    2. Hyderabad: Nizam refused accession and mobilized the brutal Razakars militia; integrated via Operation Polo (Police Action, September 1948).
    3. Jammu & Kashmir: Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession on October 26, 1947, after Pakistani tribal raiders invaded.

3. Drafting the Constitution of India (1946–1949) ​

  • First Meeting: December 9, 1946 (Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha interim President; Dr. Rajendra Prasad elected permanent President on Dec 11).
  • Objectives Resolution: Moved by Jawaharlal Nehru on December 13, 1946 (unanimously adopted Jan 22, 1947; evolved into the Preamble).
  • Drafting Committee: Formed on August 29, 1947, chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (Father of the Indian Constitution).
  • Adoption & Enactment: Adopted on November 26, 1949 (Constitution Day); came into full legal effect on January 26, 1950 (Republic Day, commemorating the 1930 Purna Swaraj declaration).

Check Your Mastery ​

⚡ Concept Quick-CheckTest Your Conceptual Intuition
Who was appointed the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly on August 29, 1947?