Partition of India
August 15, 1947 · Delhi
The partition of India in 1947 divided British India into the two independent dominions of India and Pakistan, ending the British Raj. It was set forth in the Indian Independence Act 1947 and involved dividing the provinces of Bengal and Punjab along religious lines, as well as the army, civil service, and treasury. The two countries came into being at midnight on 14-15 August 1947, accompanied by mass migration and communal violence.
Key people
Mahatma Gandhi
India
Jawaharlal Nehru
first Prime Minister of India, 'Tryst with Destiny' speech · India
Muhammad Ali Jinnah
first Governor-General of Pakistan · Pakistan
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
oversaw integration of the princely states · India
Lord Mountbatten
last Viceroy of India, Oversaw the transfer of power · British Raj
Participants
-
British Raj
-
India
-
Pakistan
-
All-India Muslim League
Pakistan
-
Indian National Congress
India
Before and after
- Followed from
- World War II September 1, 1939 – September 2, 1945
- Led to
- Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-1948 October 22, 1947 – January 1, 1949
Related events
1920
1925
1930
1935
1940
1945
1950
1955
1960
1965
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
Partition of India