PAKISTAN STUDIES NOTES-GRADE 11th & 12th

Chapter # 1 – Pakistan’s Ideology and its Historical Background

1.4.5. Discuss the Salient Features of the Indian Independence Act 1947

The Independence Act of 1947, officially known as the Indian Independence Act 1947, was an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that led to the partition of British India and the creation of two independent dominions: India and Pakistan.

The salient features of the Indian Independence Act 1947

• The division of the Indian subcontinent into two independent states, India and Pakistan, on August 15, 1947, both with dominion status.
• The provisional adoption of the Government of India Act, 1935 as the constitution for both states until they formulated their own.
• Termination of all treaties and agreements between the British and princely states on August 15, 1947, with princely rulers given the option to join either India or Pakistan or remain independent.
• Conducting a referendum in Muslim-majority provinces to determine their preference for joining Pakistan or India.
• Granting the new Dominions the choice to remain within the British Commonwealth of Nations or to opt out.
• Providing civil and military officers and servants the freedom to join either state according to their personal preferences.
• Appointment of Governors-General for Pakistan and India by the British, with powers as outlined in the Government of India Act, 1935.

Regions that became part of Pakistan

Following were the areas that joined Pakistan either through voting in provincial assemblies,
Jirga and referendum.

1. West Punjab (Provincial Assembly unanimously decided to join Pakistan).
2. Sindh (Provincial Assembly unanimously decided to join Pakistan).
3. Balochistan (A Shahi Jirga in Balochistan decided to join Pakistan).
4. NWFP (people decided to join Pakistan in a referendum held in NWFP).
5. East Bengal (Provincial Assembly unanimously decided to join Pakistan)
6. District Sylhet (people decided to join Pakistan in a referendum)Top of Form