India officially gained independence on August 15, 1947, but do you know why this particular date was chosen? Let’s delve into the significance of this historic day.
Celebrating 77 Years of Independence
On August 15, 2024, India will celebrate its 77th Independence Day with great enthusiasm and patriotism. This day is marked by grand celebrations across the nation, but have you ever wondered why August 15 was chosen? Today, we will uncover the reasons behind this momentous date.
The Initial Plan for Independence
Initially, the British government had decided to grant India independence on June 30, 1948. However, during this period, the partition of India and Pakistan had become a major issue, primarily between Jawaharlal Nehru and Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The demand for a separate Pakistan by Jinnah had led to tensions and the threat of civil war. To address this, a new date for independence was chosen.
The Role of Lord Mountbatten
On July 4, 1947, Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, introduced the Indian Independence Bill in the British House of Commons. The bill was swiftly approved by the British Parliament.
But why was August 15 specifically chosen? For Lord Mountbatten, August 15 held special significance. On this date in 1945, during World War II, the Japanese Army surrendered to the Allied Forces. At that time, Mountbatten was the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Southeast Asia, and he received significant recognition for the Japanese surrender. Therefore, August 15 was a day of personal triumph for him. This personal connection led Mountbatten to select August 15.
