Attlee’s Statement of 20 February 1947
Modern History › Independence With Partition · Topic 25.1
On 20 February 1947 British Prime Minister Clement Attlee told the House of Commons that Britain would leave the Indian subcontinent by 30 June 1948, even if Indian politicians had not agreed on a constitution, and that Mountbatten would replace Wavell as Viceroy. Power would go to a central government or, in some areas, to the existing provincial governments if the assembly was not fully representative. The statement contained clear hints of partition.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · History · Independence With Partition
At a Glance
- Date 20 February 1947, House of Commons
- Deadline Transfer of power by 30 June 1948
- New Viceroy Mountbatten to replace Wavell
- Hint Partition, and even Balkanisation
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Modern History: Independence With Partition
Where Does It Fit?
This is the first topic of the category on independence with partition. The previous topic traced the Simla Deputation; Muslim League founded After 1937 League turned to extreme…">evolution of the two-nation theory. This topic covers the British announcement of a date for withdrawal. The next topic covers the Mountbatten Plan of 3 June 1947. Previous topic: Evolution of the Two-Nation Theory.
What Did Attlee Announce?
Prime Minister Clement Attlee, sensing the trouble all around, made an announcement on 20 February 1947. The House of Commons was told of the British intention to leave the Indian subcontinent.
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Deadline | 30 June 1948 was fixed for the transfer of power, even if Indian politicians had not agreed on a constitution by then |
| To whom | Britain would hand over power either to some form of central government or, in some areas, to the existing provincial governments, if the constituent assembly was not fully representative, that is, if the Muslim-majority provinces did not join |
| Princely states | British powers and obligations towards the states would lapse with the transfer of power, but would not be transferred to any successor government in British India |
| Viceroy | Mountbatten would replace Wavell |
The statement contained clear hints of partition and even of Balkanisation of the country into numerous states. In essence it reverted to the Cripps Offer, covered in Cripps Mission, 1942.
Why Was a Date Fixed?
- The government hoped that a fixed date would shock the parties into agreement on the main question.
- It was keen to avert the developing constitutional crisis, described in Interim Government and the Communal Violence of 1946.
- It hoped to convince Indians of British sincerity.
- The truth of Wavell’s assessment, that an irreversible decline in the government’s authority had taken place, could no longer be denied.
What Was the Context of the Announcement?
By February 1947 the Interim Government was close to a breakdown, with nine Congress ministers demanding the resignation of the League members and the League demanding the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly. Riots had spread through several provinces, and Wavell’s own assessment was that the authority of the government was declining. Attlee’s announcement therefore did two things at once: it told the Indian parties that British rule would end on a fixed date, and it told the Muslim-majority provinces and the princely states that, if no agreement was reached, they might be dealt with separately. As an analytical point, this made the statement a turning point, because it put the possibility of a divided or fragmented transfer in official language for the first time.
What Was the Congress Stand?
The provision for transferring power to more than one centre was acceptable to the Congress, because it meant that the existing constituent assembly could go ahead and frame a constitution for the areas it represented, which offered a way out of the deadlock. The Cabinet Mission Plan that the assembly was working under is in Cabinet Mission Plan, 1946.
What Happened Next?
The illusory hopes of a settlement were soon shattered, as the statement proved to be a prelude to the final showdown. The League, emboldened by it, launched a civil disobedience movement to overthrow the coalition government in Punjab. As an analytical point, a fixed date changed the nature of the problem: instead of asking whether a settlement could be reached, every party now had to decide what it could get before the British left, which raised the stakes of the demand for Pakistan and of the question of the princely states. The communal violence and the demand for partition in early 1947 are described in Why Congress Accepted Partition, and the plan that followed in Mountbatten Plan of 3 June 1947.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Date and deadline 20 February 1947 and 30 June 1948 are stock Prelims facts
- Reversion to the Cripps idea Shows continuity in British proposals
- Effect on the League Explains the League’s campaign in Punjab
What Came Next?
The next topic covers the Mountbatten Plan of 3 June 1947. Next topic: Mountbatten Plan of 3 June 1947.
Key People and Terms
- Attlee’s statement The announcement of 20 February 1947
- Deadline 30 June 1948 for the transfer of power
- Lapse of paramountcy The end of British powers over the states
- Balkanisation Breaking up of the country into many small states
- Representative assembly A constituent assembly including the Muslim-majority provinces
- Successor government The government taking over British powers
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- 20 February 1947; deadline 30 June 1948.
- Mountbatten to replace Wavell.
- Power to one centre or provincial governments.
- Paramountcy over states would lapse.
- Hints of partition and Balkanisation.
Do Not Confuse With
- Attlee’s statement and Mountbatten Plan February 1947 announced a deadline; June 1947 set the plan
- 30 June 1948 and 15 August 1947 The announced deadline versus the actual date
- Attlee’s statement and Cripps Offer Attlee’s statement reverted to the 1942 idea
Memory Hook
Attlee set a date, named a new Viceroy and hinted at division.
Mains Angle
Questions ask about the announcement and its aims. These points add depth.
- Aims Shock the parties into agreement
- Provisions Deadline and princely states
- Effect League campaign in Punjab
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Examine the main points of Attlee’s statement of 20 February 1947 and the reasons for fixing a date.”
How to Answer
- Statement Deadline, transfer and states.
- Reasons Shock, crisis and sincerity.
- Reaction Congress and League.
- Conclude Prelude to partition.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Attlee announce on 20 February 1947?
Attlee told the House of Commons that Britain would leave India by 30 June 1948, even if Indian politicians had not agreed on a constitution. Power would go to a central government or in some areas to provincial governments, the states' paramountcy would lapse, and Mountbatten would replace Wavell.
Why did the British fix a date for withdrawal?
The government hoped a deadline would shock the parties into agreement, wanted to avert the constitutional crisis, hoped to convince Indians of its sincerity, and could no longer deny Wavell's view that the government's authority was declining irreversibly.
What did Attlee's statement say about the princely states?
It said that British powers and obligations towards the princely states would lapse with the transfer of power, but would not be transferred to any successor government in British India, which hinted at a possible Balkanisation of the subcontinent.
How did the Congress react to Attlee's statement?
The Congress accepted the provision for transfer of power to more than one centre because the existing constituent assembly could then frame a constitution for the areas it represented, offering a way out of the deadlock.
How did the League react to the statement?
Emboldened by the statement, the Muslim League launched a civil disobedience movement to overthrow the coalition government in Punjab. The hope of a settlement soon proved illusory, and the statement was a prelude to the final showdown.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 Attlee announced in February 1947 that power would be transferred by 30 June 1948.
He also named Mountbatten as the new Viceroy.
2 Attlee's statement said that powers over the princely states would pass to the successor government in British India.
They would lapse and not be transferred.
3 Wavell was replaced by Mountbatten as Viceroy.
The announcement was made on 20 February 1947.
4 The Congress rejected the idea of transfer of power to more than one centre.
It found it acceptable as a way out of the deadlock.
5 The statement said the transfer of power would be delayed until a constitution was agreed.
It would take place even without agreement.
Related Topics
Browse the full Modern History index