Changes

During the First World War (1914-18) millions of Indians had served with honor and distinction in the British armed forces. During the Second World War (1939-45)  there was far less volunteering. Although Britain used India as a base for its war in Burma, it was a minor front. Gandhi and Nehru led a programme of passive resistance, meaning refusal to help the British war effort. In response the British withdrew commercial shipping, diverting it to the war effort.  Major famines swept India during the war, killing millions. Neither the British government nor the Congress shadow government moved to alleviate the famine.  

During the First World War (1914-18) millions of Indians had served with honor and distinction in the British armed forces. During the Second World War (1939-45)  there was far less volunteering. Although Britain used India as a base for its war in Burma, it was a minor front. Gandhi and Nehru led a programme of passive resistance, meaning refusal to help the British war effort. In response the British withdrew commercial shipping, diverting it to the war effort.  Major famines swept India during the war, killing millions. Neither the British government nor the Congress shadow government moved to alleviate the famine.  

With Indians increasingly united in their quest for independence, a war-weary Britain led by Labour Prime Minister [[Clement Attlee]] began in earnest to plan for the end of its suzerainty in India. Nehru's believed India's communal problems were the artificial result result of the British policy of divide and rule. Nehru's condescension toward Mohammed Ali Jinnah and the Muslim League, and belief that the Congress Party represented Muslim as well as Hindu nationalist interests in India resulted in his doing everything possible to avoid partition.  

With Indians increasingly united in their quest for independence, a war-weary Britain led by Labour Prime Minister [[Clement Attlee]] began in earnest to plan for the end of its [[suzerain]]ty in India. Nehru's believed India's communal problems were the artificial result result of the British policy of divide and rule. Nehru's condescension toward Mohammed Ali Jinnah and the Muslim League, and belief that the Congress Party represented Muslim as well as Hindu nationalist interests in India resulted in his doing everything possible to avoid partition.  

Strategic colonial considerations, as well as political tensions between Hindus and Muslims, led the British to partition British India into two separate states: India, with a Hindu majority; and [[Pakistan]], which consisted of two "wings," East and West Pakistan--currently Bangladesh and Pakistan--with Muslim majorities.  

Strategic colonial considerations, as well as political tensions between Hindus and Muslims, led the British to partition British India into two separate states: India, with a Hindu majority; and [[Pakistan]], which consisted of two "wings," East and West Pakistan--currently Bangladesh and Pakistan--with Muslim majorities.