Lord Mountbatten: The Last Viceroy of India

Lord Mountbatten, a member of the British Royal family, assumed office as Viceroy on March 24, 1947 and was the last Viceroy of India. His administration in India witnessed the creation of the independent states of India and Pakistan, Mountbatten , after meeting various warring groups, came to the conclusion that only solution to the constitutional impasse was partition of the country and he won over the congress leaders to that viewpoint.

On June 3, 1947 (June 3rd Plan) the plan to partition India was announced. On July 4, 1947, the Indian independence act was introduced in the House of Commons by British Prime Minister Clement Attlee. Two boundary commissions were set up- one for the partition of Bengal and other for the partition of Punjab. Sir Cyril Radcliffe was appointed the chairman of both commissions. On August 7 Jinnah left India for Karachi and the constituent assembly of Pakistan elected him as its president.

The constituent assembly of the Indian union met in Delhi on the night of August 14. In an atmosphere charged with excitement, Nehru addressed the members. The events of the partition ad its aftermath led to the largest migration of population in the world history.

Lord Mountbatten was killed by IRA guerillas while on holiday in the Irish republic.