Government of India Act 1947 facts for kids

The Indian Independence Act of 1947 was a very important law made by the Parliament of the United Kingdom. This law divided British India into two new, independent countries: India and Pakistan.

The Act became official on 18 July 1947, when it received the royal assent. This meant the British King agreed to it. Pakistan became an independent country on 14 August 1947, and India became independent the very next day, on 15 August 1947. This marked the end of British rule in India.

Why India Was Divided

For many years, India was ruled by the British. This period was known as the British Raj. After World War II, the British decided to give India its independence.

However, there were different ideas about how this new independent country should be formed. Many leaders wanted a single, united India. But there were also strong calls for a separate country for Muslims.

The main political parties, the Indian National Congress and the All-India Muslim League, had different visions. The Muslim League, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, strongly argued for a separate Muslim-majority nation.

The Idea of Two Nations

The idea was that Hindus and Muslims were two separate "nations" and needed their own countries. This led to the plan for partition, which meant dividing the land.

The British government agreed to this plan. They believed it was the best way to grant independence peacefully. So, the Indian Independence Act was created to make this division official.

The Partition and Its Impact

The division of British India into India and Pakistan was called the Partition of India. It was a huge event that changed the lives of millions of people.

New borders were drawn, creating East Pakistan (which later became Bangladesh) and West Pakistan (modern-day Pakistan). The rest of the land became India.

Mass Migration and Challenges

The Partition led to one of the largest migrations in human history. Millions of people suddenly found themselves on the "wrong" side of the new borders.

Many Muslims living in what became India moved to Pakistan. At the same time, many Hindus and Sikhs living in what became Pakistan moved to India.

People had to leave their homes, their belongings, and sometimes their families behind. They traveled long distances, often facing many dangers. This period was very difficult and sad for countless families.

What Happened to the Act Later?

After gaining independence, both India and Pakistan wrote their own rulebooks, called constitutions. These constitutions were meant to guide their new independent governments.

India's constitution, in Article 395, and Pakistan's constitution of 1956, in Article 221, both stated that the Indian Independence Act was no longer in effect for their countries.

This was a way for India and Pakistan to show that they were now fully independent. They wanted their own laws to come from their own people, not from the old British law.

The Indian Independence Act is still technically a law in the United Kingdom, but many parts of it have been changed or removed over time.