British Policy and the Transfer of Power in India

Abstract

The political and economic situation that developed at the global front during the Second World War, coupled with the political consciousness and the anti-colonial attitude of the Indians, was a clear indication of the ultimate pack up of the British rule from India. Initially, the British tried different options to sustain or at least to prolong their departure, but eventually Prime Minister Attlee announced the decision of the British withdrawal on February 20, 1947. To execute the idea, Mountbatten was selected and was sent as the last British Viceroy to India. It was expected from the man with a career of unbroken success, that he would not only transfer the power in a peaceful environment but would also take all stakeholder on board while making the decisions. However, Mountbatten’s friendship with Nehru and tilt towards the Congress has left many question marks on his credibility as well as on the objectivity of the process. His decision to fast forward the partition process resulted in a massive bloodshed on short term basis and permanent hatred and disputes for the generations to come. History of South Asia might have been different had the British adopted a policy for the transfer of power in India with better intensions and planning.