1. Lord Mountbatten announced his Plan on 3rd June 1947. Which of the following were its salient features?
(1) It accepted the principle of partition of British India
(2) It offered Dominion status for successor governments
(3) It provided for referendum in the North West Frontier Province
(4) It provided for Sylhet to join the dominion of India
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (b) Explanation: Mountbatten Plan: The British government proposed a plan announced on 3 June 1947 that included these principles:
• Principle of the Partition of British India was accepted by the British Government
• Successor governments would be given dominion status
• Referendum in North West Frontier Province to join Pakistan or not
• Referendum in Sylhet on joining Muslim area of Bengal
Thus, all statements except 4th point were salient features of the Mountbatten Plan. Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.
2. On July 18, 1947 the British Parliament ratified the ‘Independence of India Act, 1947’. Consider the following provisions in this regard:
(1) Boundaries were to be determined by a Boundary Commission headed by Sir McMahon.
(2) The Governors-General of India and Pakistan were to be appointed by the British King.
(3) The Princely States were free to join either India or Pakistan or remain independent.
(4) The British government would not continue any control on any dominion.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2 and 4 only
Answer: (c) Explanation: The Independence of India Act provided for the following provisions:
• It provided for two dominion states: India and Pakistan.
• The boundaries between the two dominion states were to be determined by a Boundary Commission headed by Sir Cyril Radcliff. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
• It provided for partition of Punjab & Bengal and separate boundary commissions to demarcate the boundaries between them.
• Both the dominions of India and Pakistan were to have Governor Generals to be appointed by the British King. The act also provided for a common Governor General. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• The authority of the British Crown over the princely states ceased and they were free to join either India or Pakistan or remain independent. Hence statement 3 is correct.
• British Government would not continue any control on any dominion. Hence statement 4 is correct.
3. Mahatma Gandhi and his followers did not favour an immediate mass struggle after the breakout of World War 2. Which of the following can be cited as reason(s)?
(1) They believed that the cause of allied factors was just.
(2) Inability of the Congress organisation to lead a mass struggle
(3) Masses were not ready to participate in another conflict.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) Explanation: After Linlithgow’s statement, there was a general sentiment of launching mass struggle among some leaders. Mahatma Gandhi was not in support of a movement because:
• They believed that the cause of allied factors was just. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• Inability of Congress organisation to lead a mass struggle. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• Masses not ready to participate in another conflict. Hence statement 3 is correct.
• Possibility of mass struggle degenerating into communal conflict. Hence the correct answer is (d).
4. Which of the following was the objective of Dickie Bird Plan?
(a) To balkanize India into small parts to suit British imperialist designs
(b) To divide India but retain maximum unity
(c) To prevent the outbreak of any mass movement in India during the world war period
(d) To frame the Indian National Army prisoners as terrorists in front of Indian masses
Answer: (a) Explanation: Dickie Bird Plan/Plan Balkan/Ismay Plan:
• This plan envisaged the transfer of power to separate provinces (or to a confederation, if formed before the transfer), with Punjab and Bengal given the option to vote for partition of their provinces.
• The various units thus formed along with the princely states would have the option of joining India or Pakistan or remaining separate.
• Brainchild of Lord Mountbatten, it was intended to balkanize India into small parts to suit British imperialist designs. Hence the correct answer is (a).
5. With respect to modern Indian History, arrange the following events from the earliest to the latest on the road to India’s freedom:
(1) Cabinet Mission offers its plan
(2) Royal Indian Navy Mutiny
(3) Indian National Army established by Subhash Chandra Bose
(4) Direct Action Day
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 2-1-4-3
(b) 2-3-1-4
(c) 3-2-1-4
(d) 3-1-4-2
Answer: (c) Explanation: Timeline: 1943 - Subhash Chandra Bose established the Indian National Army. Feb 18, 1946 - Mutiny of the Indian naval ratings in Bombay. (Royal Indian Navy Mutiny) May 16, 1946 – Cabinet Mission announces its recommendations. August 16, 1946 – Direct Action Day or the Great Calcutta killings