Britain let India become independent because of a combination of factors including mounting pressure from the Indian independence movement, increasing economic and logistical difficulties in maintaining control over the vast territory, and the changing global political landscape after World War II.
Detailed answer to your inquiry
As an expert in the field, I can provide a detailed answer to the question, “Why did Britain let India become independent?” Based on my practical knowledge and understanding of the historical context, Britain’s decision to grant India independence was influenced by a combination of factors.
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Mounting Pressure from the Indian Independence Movement: The Indian National Congress, led by figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, spearheaded the non-violent civil disobedience movement against British rule. Their persistent efforts to gain independence and widespread support from the Indian population put significant pressure on Britain to address demands for self-rule.
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Economic and Logistical Difficulties: Governing a vast territory like India became increasingly challenging for Britain, both economically and logistically. The cost of maintaining colonial rule became burdensome, especially after the devastation of World War II. Additionally, the Indian economy played a crucial role in supporting Britain during the war, and the decline in its resources further weakened Britain’s hold on the region.
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Changing Global Political Landscape: After World War II, there was a shift in the global political dynamics. The war weakened European powers and gave rise to calls for self-determination and decolonization. As Britain faced increased international pressure to grant independence to its colonies, it recognized the need to adapt its policies to align with the changing times.
To further enrich our understanding of this topic, let’s delve into a quote from the renowned Indian political leader, Jawaharlal Nehru: “Long years ago, we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure but very substantially.” This quote by Nehru, delivered in his iconic speech on the eve of India’s independence, highlights the determination and resilience of the Indian people in their pursuit of freedom.
To provide additional insights, here are some interesting facts about India’s path to independence:
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The Indian National Congress, founded in 1885, played a pivotal role in channeling nationalist sentiments and advocating for self-rule.
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The Non-Cooperation Movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920 was a turning point in India’s struggle for independence. It saw widespread participation and marked the beginning of a united, mass-based movement.
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The Quit India Movement, initiated by Gandhi in 1942, led to widespread unrest and civil disobedience across the country. This escalated the pressure on Britain and paved the way for negotiations on the terms of India’s independence.
Now that we have explored these factors and insights, it becomes evident that Britain’s decision to let India become independent was a culmination of both internal and external influences. The valiant efforts of the Indian independence movement, coupled with economic and logistical challenges faced by Britain, as well as the changing global political landscape, all played a significant role in shaping this historic event.
See the answer to “Why did Britain let India become independent?” in this video
The video explores the factors that contributed to the British leaving India and granting it independence. While Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent movement played a significant role, the video highlights the importance of other freedom fighters like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, who believed that violence was necessary to defeat the British. Furthermore, the video suggests that India’s diminishing profitability to the British, due to the looting of its resources, along with pressure from Bose’s movement and support from Indian soldiers, also influenced the decision. Despite Gandhi’s contribution, various other factors played a part in India’s independence.
Other answers to your question
The British had realised that widespread discontent and Indian nationalism coupled with the sheer size and administrative difficulty meant that India was not feasibly governable in the long run.
Britain granted India independence in 1946 because it could no longer afford to administer the country and wanted to leave as quickly as possible. In an earlier bid to win Congress support, Britain had promised to give India full independence once the war was over. Many people in India felt that they did not want to be ruled by the British and wanted to govern themselves. There was also a lot of tension between Hindus and Muslims.