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Difficulty: MediumConstitutional Developments, Transfer of Power, and Partition of India

With reference to the Wavell Plan presented during the Simla Conference of 1945, consider the following statements:

1. It proposed that all members of the Executive Council, with the exception of the Viceroy and the Commander-in-Chief, would be Indians.
2. It suggested equal representation for caste Hindus and Muslims in the proposed Executive Council.
3. It mandated the immediate termination of British rule and complete transfer of power prior to the conclusion of World War II.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A
    1 only
  2. B
    2 only
  3. 1 and 2 onlyAnswer
  4. D
    1, 2 and 3

Answer

Statements 1 and 2 only are correct.
The Wavell Plan of June 1945 provided that all members of the Executive Council except the Viceroy and the Commander-in-Chief would be Indians, and it introduced the principle of equal representation for caste Hindus and Muslims. However, it was intended purely as an interim measure under the existing constitutional framework, deferring the drafting of a new constitution until after the war.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze Statement 1 regarding the composition of the Executive Council.
Statement 1 is correct. Lord Wavell proposed complete Indianization of the Executive Council, except for the Viceroy (Governor-General) and the Commander-in-Chief.
This was designed to give Indian leaders control over key executive portfolios, saving the armed forces oversight.
2
Analyze Statement 2 regarding communal representation.
Statement 2 is correct. The proposal earmarked equal representation (parity) for caste Hindus and Muslims in the Executive Council.
This equal quota became a major bone of contention between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League.
3
Analyze Statement 3 regarding the timing of full independence.
Statement 3 is incorrect. The Wavell Plan was an interim arrangement to rebuild the government while World War II was in progress, with framing of a new constitution deferred until after the war.
It did not grant immediate independence during World War II.

Key Concept

Wavell Plan and Simla Conference (1945) constitutional proposals
Estimated Time:1m 15s
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Topics

Constitutional Developments, Transfer of Power, and Partition of India