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India gained its independence from the UK in 1947.

Britain: Indian Independence - How Britain Dealt With The Issue

This GCSE History quiz looks at how British governments responded to Indian nationalism, using reforms, negotiations and partition to manage independence while trying to protect British interests.

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Fascinating Fact:

British politicians hoped that sharing power with Indian elites would preserve the empire. They aimed to satisfy some demands without giving up ultimate control.

In GCSE History, this topic explores how Britain tried to manage rising Indian demands for self rule. You study constitutional reforms, negotiations with nationalist leaders, debates in Britain, and the final decision to grant independence while shaping the terms of withdrawal.

Key Terms

Dominion status: A position within the British Empire where a country governed its own internal affairs but recognised the British monarch as head of state.
Constitutional reform: Changes to the rules and structures of government, such as new councils or power sharing arrangements, introduced to adjust how a colony was run.
Partition: The division of a territory into separate political units, as happened when British India was split into India and Pakistan in 1947.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

How did Britain respond to Indian demands for independence?

Britain responded by introducing a series of constitutional reforms, negotiating with Indian leaders, using repression at times, and eventually deciding to transfer power through independence and partition rather than try to hold the empire by force.

Why did British governments favour limited power sharing in India?

Many British politicians believed that limited power sharing with Indian elites would calm unrest, keep India within the empire, and protect British economic and strategic interests without handing over full control immediately.

What should I revise for Britain and Indian independence in GCSE History?

Revise key reform acts, British political debates, the role of viceroys and ministers, negotiations with nationalist leaders, decisions about partition, and how these choices shaped independence in 1947.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

Which British Conservative politician had done his best to delay Indian constitutional reform in the 1930's, and in the late 1940's - now as Leader of the Opposition - opposed Indian independence?

Sir Anthony Eden

Winston Churchill

R. A. Butler

Sir Leslie Hore-Belisha

Many Conservatives were against independence for India, as they felt that this would hasten independence for other colonies elsewhere

2 .

In 1919 the Government of India Act was passed, which introduced the sharing of power between elected Indians and British officials. What name was given to this concept?

Autonomy

Diarchy

Autarky

Communalism

For the British this was a radical step, but it did not go far enough for committed nationalists

3 .

In 1919 British troops opened fire on an unarmed crowd of demonstrators in the Punjab, killing at least 379 people. Who was the commander that ordered this?

Major-General Clive

Field Marshal Wavell

Field Marshall Haig

Brigadier-General Dyer

This event encouraged many Indians to distrust the British and to support Congress

4 .

What status did India enjoy after 1950

An independent republic outside the Commonwealth

An independent republic within the Commonwealth

Independent within the Commonwealth, recognizing the British monarch as head of state.

Independent outside the Commonwealth, recognizing the British monarch as head of state.

Indians were careful to take a while to determine the nature of their new relationship with Britain

5 .

The Indian National Congress demanded self-rule at an early stage, but Britain would not countenance this. What Hindi word was used to describe this aspiration?

Swaraj

Satyagraha

Kitar

Chandapura

Britain was prepared to reform the government of the Raj, but at a very gradual pace, which frustrated nationalists

6 .

When Britain went to war with Germany in September 1939, 2.5 million Indians joined up to fight on Britain's side. What name was given to this pro-British force?

The Indian National Army

The British Indian Army

The Anglo-Indian Army

The Indian British Army

A minority of Indian nationalist militants collaborated with the Japanese, but far more supported Britain

7 .

In November 1930 a conference opened in London to discuss India's future. What was the conference called?

The Summit Conference

The Round Table Conference

The Indian Constitutional Conference

The Government of India Conference

Gandhi attended on behalf of Congress and made many useful contacts in London, especially in the Labour Party and the trade union movement

8 .

After the Second World War a new Viceroy negotiated with the Hindu and Muslim leaders the terms of independence for India. One further complication was the existence of many states still ruled by their traditional leaders, who would need to be coaxed into joining a new independent country. What name was given to these areas like Hyderabad, Mysore and Baroda?

Princely states

Traditional states

Feudal states

Royal states

Negotiations had to take place with each one of these regions, whereby they lost political power, but retained their wealth

9 .

Eventually the British decided that they would have to divide India into a Muslim state and a Hindu state. What name was given to this kind of division?

Secession

Cession

Partition

Irredentism

This was a similar "solution" to that adopted for Ireland in 1922

10 .

In 1905 the Viceroy divided one of India's provinces: a move which Congress suspected as an attempt to split Muslims from Hindus. Which province was involved?

Punjab

Uttar Pradesh

Orissa

Bengal

This area had a significant number of Muslims

Author: Edward Towne