Previous Year Question
Consider the following events and arrange them in correct chronological order.
Cripps Mission
Cabinet Mission
Shimla Conference
Wavell Plan
Select the correct answer from the code given below:
1, 4, 3, 2
4, 1, 2, 3
4, 1, 3, 2
1, 4, 2, 3
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Solution
1. Cripps Mission — March 1942: During the Second World War, the British Government sent Sir Stafford Cripps to India. The proposals contemplated a new constitutional arrangement and Dominion Status after the war, but differences over the immediate transfer of power and other issues prevented an agreement.
4. Wavell Plan — 14 June 1945: Viceroy Lord Wavell proposed a scheme for reconstituting the Viceroy's Executive Council in an attempt to resolve the political deadlock. Its purpose was to create a more representative Executive Council and provide a basis for further constitutional negotiations.
3. Shimla Conference — 25 June 1945: Indian political leaders were invited to the Shimla Conference to consider the Wavell Plan. Agreement could not be reached between the Congress and the Muslim League, particularly over Muslim representation and the League's demand to nominate all Muslim members, and the Conference failed in July 1945.
2. Cabinet Mission — March 1946: The British Government sent Lord Pethick-Lawrence, Sir Stafford Cripps and A. V. Alexander to India. The Mission arrived in India on 23 March 1946 and began extensive negotiations concerning constitution-making and the transfer of power.
An important point in this chronology is that the Wavell Plan was announced first, and the Shimla Conference was subsequently convened to discuss that Plan.
Therefore, the correct sequence is Cripps Mission → Wavell Plan → Shimla Conference → Cabinet Mission.