Answer: 

Introduction:

The Royal Indian Navy Mutiny, also known as the Bombay Mutiny, occurred in February 1946 and was a significant turning point in India’s struggle for independence. The mutiny involved sailors and officers of the Royal Indian Navy, who rose against the British authorities in protest of poor working conditions, racial discrimination, and the ongoing struggle for Indian independence.

Body:

Listed below are various factors that contributed to the naval mutiny being the last nail in the coffin of British colonial aspirations in India:

• Widespread support: The mutiny received extensive support from the Indian population, political leaders, and various sections of the armed forces, including the Royal Indian Air Force and local police.
• Impact on the British administration: It exposed the vulnerability of the British colonial government, revealing that they could no longer rely on the loyalty of Indian armed forces to maintain control over India.
• International pressure: The naval mutiny caught the attention of the United States and the Soviet Union, major powers in the post-WWII era. Both countries pressured the British government to grant India independence, as maintaining colonial rule contradicted the values of democracy and self-determination they advocated.
• Impact on the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League: The naval mutiny brought the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League, the two main political parties in India, closer together in their demand for immediate independence.
• Acceleration of the transfer of power: The naval mutiny was one of the last major events in India’s struggle for independence. It convinced the British government that it was no longer feasible to maintain control over India, and they needed to expedite the transfer of power.

Conclusion:

The Royal Indian Navy Mutiny of 1946 proved to be the last nail in the coffin of British colonial aspirations in India. The naval mutiny accelerated the process of India’s independence, marking the end of British colonial rule and the beginning of a new chapter in India’s history.

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