Lord Wavell (1944-1947)

Introduction #

Lord Wavell succeeded Lord Linlithgow as viceroy in the summer of 1943. From 1 October 1943 until 21 February 1947, Lord Wavell served as India’s 23rd viceroy. The Great Bengal Famine (1943), the Rajagopalachari Formula (1944), the Simla Conference (1945), the end of World War II with Japan’s surrender, the Cabinet Mission (1946), Direct Action Day (1946), and the interim Nehru government were the most significant events that took place during his administration. By seeking to reconcile the many elements of the independence movement, Lord Wavell might be regarded to have done his best among all the Viceroys to keep India unified.

Significant Events During Lord Wavell Tenure #

1942–43: Bengal Famine #

An estimated 1.5 to 3 million children, women, and adults perished as a result of the Bengal Famine of 1942–1943. 

• The Japanese occupation of Burma, damage to the aman (Kharif) rice crop from tidal waves and an epidemic of a disease caused by the fungus Helminthosporium oryzae, 
• Panic buying and hoarding by the wealthy, failure of governance, particularly in relation to the equitable distribution of the available food grains, communication disruption caused by World War II, and the indifference of the public all contributed to this mega-tragedy.

1944: C. Rajagopalachari Formula #

The single-country thesis was firmly embraced by the Muslim League and the Congress, respectively. C Rajagopalachari, also known as CR, developed a formula to break the impasse. This formula suggested that:

• The Muslim League will accept the congress’s demand for total independence and one dominion for the time being, or “till a provisional interim government is formed.”
• A commission would be created when the conflict is over to demarcate the regions where Muslims make up the absolute majority, and in those districts, a plebiscite would be held using adult suffrage.
• Before the plebiscite, all parties would be permitted to voice their opinions and stances on the partition.
• A mutual agreement would be negotiated to protect crucial issues like defence, communication, and commerce as well as for other crucial services if the plebiscite approves separation.

1944: Gandhi-Jinnah Talks #

Gandhi was released from prison on May 5, 1944, but the majority of Congress leaders remained behind bars. He suggested speaking with Jinnah about his two-nation theory. And the foundation of these discussions was the CR formula. 

• In September 1944, Gandhi and Jinnah first spoke. Gandhi suggested that only the Muslims who wanted to live apart from the rest of India who lived in Baluchistan, Sindh, the NWFP, and portions of the Punjab, Bengal, and Assam should create the new state during these discussions. 
• However, Jinnah stressed that Pakistan should abide by the 1940 Muslim League resolution, which called for the inclusion of all six provinces.
• Jinnah also rejected other ideas, such as a contract of secession to fund shared services, etc.

1945: Bhulabhai-Laqut Ali Talks #

Congressman Bhulabhai Desai and Muslim leader Liaquat Ali Khan met in January 1945 to try to find a solution to a problem. 

• According to the agreement, the Muslim League and the Congress would each receive 40% of the seats in the interim government, which would be formed under the existing constitution but include all Indians with the exception of the Viceroy and Commander in Chief. 
• After the temporary administration assumed office, a settlement would be negotiated.

1945: Wavell Plan #

Lord Wavell organised the Simla Conference in the summer of 1945 in an effort to resolve the constitutional conundrum. 

• The Simla Conference was attended by both the Congress and the Muslim League, however, due to the Muslim League’s stance, the Conference was a failure.
• Jinnah stated during this conference that the Congress or any other non-league entity does not have the authority to speak for Muslims in India and that only the Muslim League does. 
• No Muslim could have been appointed to the executive council by Congress. Additionally, he urged that there be a clause stating that a vote can only be approved by a 2/3 majority in the event of a split vote and resistance from Muslim members.

1946: RIN Mutiny #

A group of Royal Indian Navy ratings, or non-commissioned officers and sailors, rebelled against British superiors on February 18, 1946.   

• Over 200 individuals lost their lives in the unrest that erupted in Mumbai due to the violence. The revolt convinced the British that leaving the nation would be preferable. 
• An official Cabinet Mission was dispatched to India on February 19, the second day of this revolt.

1946: Cabinet Mission Plan #

Three English Cabinet Ministers, Sir Pethick Lawrence, Secretary of State for India, Sir Stafford Cripps, President of the Board of Trade, and V. Alexander, First Lord of the Admiralty, made up the Cabinet Mission.

• The mission set out on March 24, 1946, to create a system for creating Independent India’s constitution and make preparations for an interim administration.  
• The mission spent around 3 weeks speaking with the leaders of different political groups but was unable to reach a consensus.

August 16, 1946: Direct Action Day #

The Muslim League designated August 16 as Direct Action Day in order to demonstrate to the British and Congress the intensity of Muslim sentiment. 

• Both Hindu and Muslim newspapers in Calcutta helped to inflame racial animosity. On that day, Muslims declared a strike, while Hindus urged shopkeepers to remain open. 
• The end result was the Great Calcutta Killing, in which 20,000 other people were harmed, raped, or violated in addition to the 6000 Hindus and Muslims who were killed. 
• Soon, riots broke out throughout all of North India, and a civil war between Hindus and Muslims resulted. 

December 6, 1946: Constituent Assembly #

The Constituent Assembly held its first meeting on December 6, 1946, following the completion of the elections in November 1946. 

• The Provincial assemblies used a single transferable vote system of proportional representation to elect the members of the Constituent Assembly. Muslim League won 73 seats, and Congress won 208 seats. 
• A separate Constituent Assembly for Muslims in India was demanded, though, by the Muslim League.  
• The decisions of the Constituent Assembly were therefore declared invalid in districts with a majority of Muslims by the British. As a result, the assembly’s operation was all but destroyed.

February 20, 1947: Atlee’s Declaration #

On February 20, 1947, British Prime Minister Clement Atlee said in the House of Commons that the British will leave India after handing over control by no later than June 1948. 

• Before that, it was thought that the Indians should resolve their differences. In addition, he announced that Lord Mountbatten had been named Viceroy in place of Lord Wavell.

Evaluation Of His Tenure #

Upon his arrival in India, one of his first actions was to confront the devastating Bengal Famine, which resulted in the deaths of millions of Indians.

• He did this by ordering the army to send aid to rural areas and by attempting to raise the supply by bringing down the price. Results from the latter action were inconclusive.
• In an effort to reduce prices, he made many unsuccessful attempts to boost the supply of rice.
• Lord Wavell, who supported the Indian Independence Movement, organised the Shimla Conference and the Wavell Plan to bring the diverse factions together and establish the framework for the future administration of an independent India. Both failed as a result of a disagreement between the Muslim League and the Indian National Congress.
• In any case, his government provided much less assistance. Due to his opposition to Indian independence, Winston Churchill did not support him, and the following Prime Minister, Clement Atlee, did not think Lord Wavell was making any headway towards putting up a solution that would be acceptable to both Congress and the League.

Conclusion #

In 1947, Wavell made his way back to England and was made Colchester’s High Steward. He often quoted poetry at length and had a superb recall for poetry. Following a recurrence following abdominal surgery on May 5, Wavell passed away on May 24, 1950. His remains were buried at the Tower of London, where he had worked as a Constable, after his passing. However, as a military leader, he received criticism from some for being unduly cautious and indecisive during the Iraq War, including Winston Churchill. His old rivals in North Africa, including German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, nonetheless had a favourable opinion of him. His efforts, meanwhile, were insufficient and came too late to stop the ultimate partition of India.