The postwar Labour government in Britain was committed to independence for India. A second mission was sent to India by Prime Minister Attlee in 1946 for the preparation of independence. On 16 May this Cabinet Mission published a plan for transferring power to a united India, but over subsequent months it became clear that this plan would fail. The British Government therefore began to draw up alternative plans. It also appointed a new Viceroy Lord Mountbatten to take over from Lord Wavell who had failed to get the Indian parties to agree on any plan. In June 1947, Mountbatten announced that Independence would come at Midnight on 14 August 1947.
Source 1:
The Quit India Resolution endorsed by the Indian National Congress, 1942 (R/3/1/355)
Source 2 :
The Cabinet Mission Plan, 16 May 1946. (L/PJ/10/42, f.53)
Source 3 :
A policy for withdrawal from India by the Viceroy Field-Marshal Viscount Wavell, Sep 1946 (L/PO/6/118)
Source 4 :
Secret Cabinet discussion on the withdrawal from India. Dec 1946 (R/30/1/9)
Source 5:
Attlee's minute to Mountbatten, March 1947 (L/PJ/10/79)
Source 6:
Mountbatten's report: the last week of British rule in India, 16 Aug 1947 (L/PO/6/123)
Source 7:
Indian Policy - Statement of HM's Government, 3 June 1947 (Cmd 7136)
