India during and after Second World War

1. Introduction

The period from 1939 to 1945 witnessed the Second World War that had a devastating effect on humanity. Coming to India, it was a prelude to the declaration of Indian independence and partition of India into India and Pakistan on communal grounds.

2. Impact of the Second World War on India

This period brought to light primarily the fragile nature of the mosaic of Indian society and polity wherein the internal squabbles of the Congress organization surfaced openly defying the existing traditions in the form of conflict between Subhas Chandra Bose and Gandhi, and the sharpened teeth of extreme communalism hardened the Muslim League to opt for their desired sacred land of Pakistan.
Further, as an indirect effect of the Second World War, the condition of the common people became extremely worse due to the soaring of prices of necessities in addition to the devastating famines.
Unrest of labour and the peasants dominated the Indian scenario. Lord Linlithgow was the Governor General of India between 1936-1944 and he was followed by Lord Wavell, who was the Governor General till 1947.
Thus when the Second World War started in 1939, Linlithgow was the Governor General and when the Second World War ended in 1945, Wavell was the Governor General.
Before the war started, the Indian National Congress formed ministries with absolute majority in Madras, Bihar, Orissa, central provinces and united provinces and with a near majority in Bombay in 1937.
The relations between the Muslim League and the Congress were so strained that Jinnah denounced 'Congress fascism' in the Patna session of the League in 1938.
Thus, throughout the 27 months of the Congress rule in provinces, the League continued its intense vicious propaganda against the Congress and by March 1940, the League adopted the 'Pakistan resolution', in spite of a compromise made by Congress working committee in 1937 to drop the closing stanzas of the Vande mataram recognizing the validity of the criticism of the League and the Muslim community.
Hindu communalism championed by the Hindu Mahasabha also raised its voice against what it considered to be anti-Hindu sentiment and in 1939 V.D. Savarkar declared in the Nagpur session that we Hindus are a nation by ourselves, Hindu nationalists should not at all be apologetic to being called Hindu communalists.
Thus, communal divide began to take deep roots in this period due to the growth of militancy among the Hindus and the Muslims.
During this period, the Congress ministries tried to implement Gandhian socio-economic reforms, yet Ambedkar and Jinnah joined together and celebrated 'the day of deliverance' when the Congress ministries resigned in 1939.
Interestingly during this period only, there developed a honeymoon of durable alliance between the capitalists of India and the Congress as observed by Claude Markovitz and Sumit Sarkar.
Besides communal militancy, the militancy of labour and Kisaan become dominant between 1937-1939.
During this period only, states Peoples' Movement strengthened in many princely states.
The Left Wing ideology also became a dominant force and tried to persuade the Congress leadership to adopt a more sympathetic attitude towards trade unions and Kissan Sabhas and to give open support to states people's movements.
In such a bewildered maze, the Tripuri crisis or open conflict between Subhas Chandra Bose and Gandhi followers openly erupted, signifying opposition to the Gandhian policy of non-violence.
Bose's action was not liked by Gandhi camp and Bose was debarred from holding any office.
In such a situation, Linlithgow, then the Governor General, unilaterally associated India with the declaration of joining the Second World War against Germany on 3 September, 1939.
Linlithgow never bothered to consult the leaders of the Congress ministries.
Dissatisfied by the unilateral action of Linlithgow, the Congress ministries resigned on 29-30 October, 1939.

3. Key Developments During and After WWII

3.1. August Offer (1940)

Issued by Viceroy Lord Linlithgow in August 1940 to secure Indian cooperation in World War II.
Proposed: Dominion status as the objective for India, an expansion of the Viceroy's Executive Council to include more Indians, establishment of an advisory war council, and establishment of a constituent assembly after the war to frame a new constitution.
Rejected by the Congress as it did not promise complete independence.

3.2. Cripps Mission (1942)

A mission led by Sir Stafford Cripps was sent to India in March 1942 to secure Indian cooperation for the war.
Proposed: Dominion status after the war, formation of a constitution-making body, and an Indianized executive council during the war.
Failed because Congress rejected it for offering future dominion status instead of immediate complete independence, and the Muslim League rejected it due to the lack of clear assurance for Pakistan.

3.3. Quit India Movement (1942)

Launched by Mahatma Gandhi on August 8, 1942, demanding an end to British rule.
Slogan: "Do or Die".
The movement was largely spontaneous and leaderless, as most prominent leaders were arrested immediately.
Characterized by widespread protests, sabotage of communication lines, and establishment of parallel governments in some areas.
Ruthlessly suppressed by the British, but it significantly weakened British authority and demonstrated the Indian people's resolve for independence.

3.4. Indian National Army (INA)

Formed by Mohan Singh and later revived and led by Subhas Chandra Bose in Southeast Asia.
Comprised Indian prisoners of war.
Aimed to fight the British with the support of Japan.
Though militarily unsuccessful, the INA trials in 1945-46 galvanized public opinion and created immense sympathy for the INA soldiers.

3.5. Wavell Plan and Simla Conference (1945)

Lord Wavell, the new Viceroy, proposed a plan for a new Executive Council that would include only Indian members except the Viceroy and the Commander-in-Chief.
The Simla Conference was called to discuss this plan but failed due to Jinnah's insistence that only the Muslim League could nominate Muslim members to the Council.

3.6. Cabinet Mission Plan (1946)

A high-powered mission comprising Pethick-Lawrence, Stafford Cripps, and A.V. Alexander was sent to India to discuss the transfer of power.
Proposed a three-tier federal structure for India, with a weak center and strong provinces grouped into three sections (Hindu-majority provinces, Muslim-majority provinces in the North-West, and Muslim-majority provinces in the North-East).
It rejected the demand for a separate Pakistan.
Both Congress and the Muslim League initially accepted parts of the plan, but disagreements over its interpretation led to its ultimate failure.

3.7. Direct Action Day (1946)

Following the breakdown of the Cabinet Mission Plan and the Congress's decision to form an interim government, the Muslim League called for "Direct Action Day" on August 16, 1946.
This led to widespread communal riots, particularly in Calcutta, escalating communal tensions significantly and making the prospect of partition more likely.

3.8. Attlee's Declaration (1947)

British Prime Minister Clement Attlee declared on February 20, 1947, that the British would quit India by June 1948.
This declaration set a definite timeline for independence and accelerated the process of political negotiations.

3.9. Mountbatten Plan (June 3, 1947)

Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy, put forth a plan for the transfer of power and partition of India.
Key proposals: Partition of India into India and Pakistan, referendum in NWFP and Sylhet, separate constituent assemblies for the two dominions, and option for princely states to join either dominion or remain independent.
Accepted by both Congress and the Muslim League.

3.10. Indian Independence Act (1947)

Based on the Mountbatten Plan, this Act was passed by the British Parliament in July 1947.
Provided for the creation of two independent dominions, India and Pakistan, from August 15, 1947.
Abolished the office of Viceroy and appointed Governor-Generals for each dominion.
Ended British paramountcy over princely states, giving them the choice to accede to either India or Pakistan.