MCQ Detailed View

Lord Louis Mountbatten arrived in Delhi on 22nd March 1947 as the last Viceroy of British India. His appointment came at a time when British rule in the Indian subcontinent was nearing its end. Mountbatten replaced Lord Wavell and was sent with a crucial responsibility — to oversee the smooth transition of power from the British government to Indian leadership. The subcontinent was experiencing rising communal tensions, and the demand for a separate Muslim state was gaining strong momentum. The British government believed that Mountbatten's leadership, military background, and diplomatic skills could help manage this critical phase of history.

Mountbatten was given full authority to implement Britain’s final strategy for withdrawal. Understanding the urgency of the situation, he engaged with key political leaders including Jawaharlal Nehru, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and Mahatma Gandhi. Within a few months, he presented the Mountbatten Plan in June 1947, which proposed the partition of India into two independent dominions — India and Pakistan. The plan was accepted by the Indian National Congress, the Muslim League, and other political groups, setting the course for independence.

✅ Key Points About Lord Mountbatten and Indian Independence:

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  Name: Lord Louis Mountbatten

  
  


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  Title: Last Viceroy of British India

  
  


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  Arrival Date: 22nd March 1947

  
  


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  Replaced: Lord Wavell

  
  


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  Main Responsibility: Oversee British withdrawal and power transition

  
  


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  Major Achievement: Proposed the Mountbatten Plan

  
  


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  Key Outcome: Partition of India and creation of Pakistan

  
  


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  Legal Basis for Independence: Indian Independence Act 1947

  
  

Mountbatten's role in the partition of India was both historic and controversial. While his efforts led to the end of British colonial rule and the birth of two sovereign nations, the partition also triggered widespread violence and mass migration. Nevertheless, his leadership remains a significant part of South Asian history, marking the end of an empire and the dawn of independence for millions.