Transfer of Power & Partition UPSC Previous Year Questions (PYQ) — Mountbatten Plan & Independence

All Transfer of Power & Partition Previous Year Questions (1995–2014)

1. 1 2014

   The Radcliffe Committee was appointed to

   1. A solve the problem of minorities in India
   2. B give effect to the Independence Bill
   3. C delimit the boundaries between India and Pakistan
   4. D enquire into the riots in East Bengal
   Reveal answer

   ✓ Correct answer: C. delimit the boundaries between India and Pakistan

   Explanation

   The Radcliffe Boundary Commission, headed by Sir Cyril Radcliffe, was appointed to draw the actual boundary lines dividing Punjab and Bengal between India and Pakistan.

2. 2 2006

   Which portfolio was held by Dr. Rajendra Prasad in the Interim Government formed in the year 1946?

   1. A Defence
   2. B External Affairs and Commonwealth
   3. C Food and Agriculture
   4. D None
   Reveal answer

   ✓ Correct answer: C. Food and Agriculture

   Explanation

   Dr. Rajendra Prasad held the Food and Agriculture portfolio in the 1946 Interim Government.

3. 3 2005

   Consider the following statements:
   1. Lord Mountbatten was the Viceroy when Shimla Conference took place.
   2. Indian Navy Revolt, 1946 took place when the Indian sailors in the Royal Indian Navy at Bombay and Karachi rose against the Government.
   
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   1. A 1 only
   2. B 2 only
   3. C Both 1 and 2
   4. D Neither 1 nor 2
   Reveal answer

   ✓ Correct answer: B. 2 only

   Explanation

   The Shimla Conference (1945) was convened by Viceroy Lord Wavell, not Mountbatten, who arrived only in 1947, so statement 1 is wrong; the 1946 Royal Indian Navy mutiny among sailors at Bombay and Karachi did genuinely occur, so statement 2 is correct.

4. 4 2003

   Who headed the Interim Cabinet formed in the 1946?

   1. A Rajendra Prasad
   2. B Jawaharlal Nehru
   3. C Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
   4. D Rajagopalachari
   Reveal answer

   ✓ Correct answer: B. Jawaharlal Nehru

   Explanation

   Jawaharlal Nehru headed the Interim Government (Cabinet) formed in September 1946, ahead of independence.

5. 5 2000

   At the time of partition of India, which one of the following provinces of the British India came forward with a plan for a united and independent existence?

   1. A Punjab
   2. B Assam
   3. C Bengal
   4. D Bihar
   Reveal answer

   ✓ Correct answer: C. Bengal

   Explanation

   Bengali leaders including Sarat Chandra Bose and H.S. Suhrawardy proposed keeping Bengal united as a separate independent state instead of dividing it between India and Pakistan.

6. 6 2000

   The Balkan Plan for fragmentation of India was the brain-child of

   1. A W. Churchill
   2. B M. A. Jinnah
   3. C Lord Mountbatten
   4. D V. P. Menon
   Reveal answer

   ✓ Correct answer: C. Lord Mountbatten

   Explanation

   Before settling on the final 3 June Plan, Mountbatten briefly considered a 'Balkan Plan' that would have broken India up into numerous smaller independent units.

7. 7 2000

   As an alternative to the partition of India, Gandhiji suggested to Mountbatten that he

   1. A postpone granting of independence
   2. B invite Jinnah to form the government
   3. C invite Nehru and Jinnah to form the government together
   4. D invite the army to take over for some time
   Reveal answer

   ✓ Correct answer: B. invite Jinnah to form the government

   Explanation

   Gandhi suggested to Mountbatten that the Muslim League under Jinnah be invited to form the government at the centre, as an alternative to partitioning the country.

8. 8 1998

   Lord Mountbatten came to India as Viceroy with specific instructions to

   1. A balkanize the Indian sub-continent
   2. B keep India united if possible
   3. C accept Jinnah’s demand for Pakistan
   4. D persuade the Congress to accept partition
   Reveal answer

   ✓ Correct answer: B. keep India united if possible

   Explanation

   Mountbatten's original mandate was to try to preserve a united India if any workable arrangement could be found, resorting to partition only when this proved impossible.

9. 9 1998

   When the Indian Muslim League was inducted into the interim government in 1946, Liyaqat Ali Khan was assigned the portfolio of

   1. A Foreign affairs
   2. B Home
   3. C Finance
   4. D Defence
   Reveal answer

   ✓ Correct answer: C. Finance

   Explanation

   As the Muslim League's nominee in the Interim Government, Liaquat Ali Khan was given the important Finance portfolio.

10. 10 1998

    The Indian National Congress agreed in 1947 to the partition of the country mainly because

    1. A the principle of two Nation theory was then acceptable to them
    2. B it was imposed by the British Government and the Congress was helpless in this regard
    3. C they wanted to avoid large-scale communal riots
    4. D India would have otherwise lost the opportunity to attain freedom
    Reveal answer

    ✓ Correct answer: C. they wanted to avoid large-scale communal riots

    Explanation

    The Congress ultimately accepted partition primarily to end the escalating and uncontrollable communal violence that followed events like Direct Action Day.

11. 11 1995

    In the interim government formed in 1946, the Vice-President of the Executive Council was

    1. A Jawaharlal Nehru
    2. B Dr. S. Radhakrishnan
    3. C C. Rajagopalachari
    4. D Dr. Rajendra Prasad
    Reveal answer

    ✓ Correct answer: A. Jawaharlal Nehru

    Explanation

    In the 1946 Interim Government, Jawaharlal Nehru held the position of Vice-President of the Viceroy's Executive Council, with the Viceroy remaining its nominal President.