The Cabinet Mission, 1946
Three British ministers sent in 1946 to plan the transfer of power while keeping India united; their plan set up the Constituent Assembly.
What the paper can ask
- Members: Secretary of State Lord Pethick-Lawrence and two other British cabinet ministers; Viceroy Wavell took part in some talks.
- The plan: a weak centre with defence, foreign affairs and communications; provinces in groups A, B and C; a Constituent Assembly and an interim government.
- The League withdrew on 29 July 1946 after Nehru said Congress was not bound to the grouping; Direct Action followed.
- The Constituent Assembly elected under the plan first met in December 1946.
Why exams ask
Who was (and was not) a member, the date of the plan, the three groups and the Constituent Assembly link are asked.
The full story
The Cabinet Mission arrived in March 1946, led by Lord Pethick-Lawrence, the Secretary of State for India, with two other cabinet ministers; Viceroy Wavell joined some talks. Its plan, announced in 1946, proposed a weak Union handling only defence, foreign affairs and communications, provinces grouped into three sections (A, B and C), an interim government and a Constituent Assembly elected by provincial legislatures.
Test yourself
1.Which of the following was NOT a member of the 1946 Cabinet Mission to India?
Correct. The Cabinet Mission had Pethick-Lawrence, Cripps and Alexander. Mountbatten replaced Wavell as Viceroy afterwards.
Not quite. The Cabinet Mission had Pethick-Lawrence, Cripps and Alexander. Mountbatten replaced Wavell as Viceroy afterwards. It goes into your error book.
2.The Cabinet Mission Plan was announced on
Correct. The Cabinet Mission (Pethick-Lawrence, Cripps, Alexander) announced its scheme on 16 May 1946, rejecting Pakistan but grouping provinces, and proposing a Constituent Assembly.
Not quite. The Cabinet Mission (Pethick-Lawrence, Cripps, Alexander) announced its scheme on 16 May 1946, rejecting Pakistan but grouping provinces, and proposing a Constituent Assembly. It goes into your error book.
3.How many members did the Constituent Assembly originally have under the Cabinet Mission Plan?
Correct. The plan provided 389 seats: 296 for British India and 93 for the princely States; after partition the strength fell to 299 (NCERT Class 12 rounds this to 300).
Not quite. The plan provided 389 seats: 296 for British India and 93 for the princely States; after partition the strength fell to 299 (NCERT Class 12 rounds this to 300). It goes into your error book.