Arrange the following events into correct chronological order :
(i) Cabinet Mission Plan
(ii) Mountbatten Plan
(iii) Wavell Plan
(iv) Cripps Mission Plan
Codes :

The correct answer is - (iv) (iii) (i) (ii)

Key Points

• Cripps Mission Plan (1942)
  • The Cripps Mission was sent by the British government in March 1942 under Sir Stafford Cripps.
  • Its objective was to secure Indian cooperation during World War II by offering Dominion status to India after the war.
  • However, the plan was rejected by Indian leaders as it did not promise full independence and allowed provinces to opt out of the union.
• Wavell Plan (1945)
  • Proposed by Viceroy Lord Wavell, it aimed to resolve the deadlock between Indian political parties.
  • It suggested reconstitution of the Executive Council with equal representation for Hindus and Muslims.
  • The plan failed due to disagreements between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League.
• Cabinet Mission Plan (1946)
  • The British government sent the Cabinet Mission to India to discuss the transfer of power and avoid partition.
  • It proposed a three-tier structure: a union of India, provincial governments, and princely states.
  • Though initially accepted, the plan failed as the Congress and the Muslim League had different interpretations of it.
• Mountbatten Plan (1947)
  • Proposed by Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, it outlined the partition of India into two independent dominions—India and Pakistan.
  • The plan was accepted by both the Congress and the Muslim League, leading to the Indian Independence Act of 1947.

Additional Information

• Cripps Mission Plan
  • It was criticized for proposing a fragmented and weak Indian state.
  • Gandhi referred to it as a "post-dated cheque on a failing bank."
• Wavell Plan and the Shimla Conference
  • The Wavell Plan was discussed at the Shimla Conference in 1945.
  • The conference failed due to Jinnah's insistence that the Muslim League was the sole representative of Muslims.
• Mountbatten Plan and Partition
  • Partition was accompanied by massive communal violence, resulting in loss of lives and displacement of millions.
  • The date for independence was advanced to 15th August 1947, leaving little time for orderly partition arrangements.