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Who Was the Viceroy of India at the Time of Partition in 1947?

Who Was the Viceroy of India at the Time of Partition in 1947?


The Partition of India in 1947 was a defining moment in South Asian history, leading to the creation of two independent nations — India and Pakistan. At the center of this massive political and humanitarian event was Lord Louis Mountbatten, the last British Viceroy of India.


                                                                           

Lord Mountbatten: The Last Viceroy of British India


  • Full Name: Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas Mountbatten

  • Position: Last Viceroy of India (March 1947 – August 1947)

  • Title after Independence: First Governor-General of Independent India (August 15, 1947 – June 1948)


Lord Mountbatten was appointed as Viceroy with the primary mission of overseeing the transfer of power from British rule to Indian leadership. He played a critical role in shaping the final framework of independence.


Role in the Partition of India

  • Mountbatten Plan (June 3, 1947): Also known as the Plan for Partition, it laid down the proposal to divide British India into India and Pakistan.

  • Speedy Transfer of Power: Originally planned for 1948, independence was advanced to August 15, 1947, in an effort to minimize unrest.

  • Boundary Commission: The Radcliffe Line, created by Sir Cyril Radcliffe, defined the borders between India and Pakistan under Mountbatten’s supervision.


Legacy and Impact

While Mountbatten is credited for facilitating a peaceful British withdrawal, his role remains controversial due to:

  • The rushed nature of the partition, which many believe contributed to the large-scale violence and displacement.

  • The massive refugee crisis, with over 15 million people crossing borders and an estimated 1–2 million deaths.


Conclusion


Lord Mountbatten was the Viceroy of India at the time of Partition in 1947, entrusted with one of the most challenging roles in colonial history. His decisions not only ended British rule in India but also shaped the geopolitics of South Asia for generations.

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