CBSE Class 10 Answered

Main provisions of the Independence Act of 1947 were:

 

Two New Dominions: Indian would be partitioned and two new Dominions - India and Pakistan - would be created on August 15, 1947. The Act established the legislative supremacy of both the Dominions. Pakistan would comprise of Sindh, British Baluchistan, North West Frontier Province, West Punjab and East Bengal. On the other hand, India would consist of the remaining territories of British India. The exact boundaries of the Dominion would be decided by the Boundary Commission.

Provisions of Partition:

1. Bengal and Punjab would be divided if felt necessary. The Provincial Assemblies of the two parts would meet separately, representing Hindu majority districts and Muslim majority districts. These would vote on the division resolution.
2. A plebiscite would be organised in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) andthe Sylhet district in East Bengal to establish whether they would like to join Pakistan or India.

Governor General for Each Dominion: There would be a Governor-General appointed by the British monarch on the advice of the Cabinet of the concerned Dominion. This arrangement would be effective only until the framing of the Constitution of the said Dominion.

According to the Indian Independence Act, the Princely States would become independent and the powers earlier wielded by the British colonial government would be terminated. From August 15, 1947, all treaties and agreements made by the British with the Princely States would stand cancelled. The Princely States would be free to join either India or Pakistan or remain independent.