Modern Indian History

Negotiations 1944-47: Rajaji formula to the Mountbatten Plan

• Rajaji formula and desai liaqat
• Wavell Plan June 1945: Indianised Executive Council with Hindu-Muslim parity; Simla conference fails on League's claim to nominate all Muslims
• Cabinet Mission (Pethick-Lawrence, Cripps, Alexander) May 1946: rejects Pakistan, proposes a federal union limited to defence, foreign affairs and communications, three groups of provinces, constituent assembly elected by provincial assemblies, interim government
• Direct action and interim government
• Attlee statement and mountbatten plan
• Elections of 1945-46: Congress and Muslim League results, restricted franchise and provincial coalition governments
• Alternative transfer proposals: Wavell Breakdown Plan of 1946 and Mountbatten Plan Balkan of 1947
• Why Britain withdrew: post-war weakness, international pressure, nationalist mobilisation and doubts about colonial personnel and armed forces