27. MOUNTBATTEN PLAN / JUNE 3RD PLAN, 1947

27. MOUNTBATTEN PLAN / JUNE 3RD PLAN, 1947

Background: Lord Mountbatten became the last Viceroy of India in March 1947, replacing Lord Wavell, with a mandate to transfer power by June 1948 (later advanced).

Key Provisions

• Announced on 3 June 1947 (hence "June 3rd Plan").
• Accepted the partition of India into two independent dominions: India and Pakistan.
• Provided that Bengal and Punjab Legislative Assemblies would vote on partition of their respective provinces (into Hindu-majority and Muslim-majority parts).
• Sind's legislative assembly would decide whether to join India or Pakistan; NWFP and Sylhet district of Assam to decide via referendum.
• Princely states given the option to accede to either India or Pakistan (or theoretically remain independent, though strongly discouraged).
• Set up boundary commissions under Sir Cyril Radcliffe to demarcate boundaries between India and Pakistan (the "Radcliffe Line").
• Formed the basis for the Indian Independence Act, 1947, drafted immediately after and passed by British Parliament in July 1947.

Key Facts

• Announced: 3 June 1947; by Viceroy Lord Mountbatten (last Viceroy)
• Accepted Partition of India
• Boundary demarcation: Radcliffe Line, by Sir Cyril Radcliffe