Modern history

Concepts to cover

1. C. Rajagopalachari's formula 1944 accepting plebiscite in Muslim-majority districts; Gandhi-Jinnah talks fail; Bhulabhai Desai and Liaquat Ali Khan pact January 1945 on parity in an interim government
2. Wavell Plan June 1945: Indianised Executive Council with Hindu-Muslim parity; Simla conference fails on League's claim to nominate all Muslims
3. 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
4. Congress and League readings of grouping, League's Direct Action Day 16 August 1946 and the Calcutta killings, Noakhali and Bihar, interim government 2 September 1946 with League joining in October
5. Attlee's 20 February 1947 deadline of June 1948, Mountbatten's 3 June Plan: partition, provincial choice, referendum in NWFP and Sylhet, boundary commissions, advance to 15 August 1947
6. Elections of 1945-46: Congress and Muslim League results, restricted franchise and provincial coalition governments
7. Alternative transfer proposals: Wavell Breakdown Plan of 1946 and Mountbatten Plan Balkan of 1947
8. Why Britain withdrew: post-war weakness, international pressure, nationalist mobilisation and doubts about colonial personnel and armed forces