Expert: Mark Smith - 3/24/2004

Question
Hello, Thank you for the time and assistance.

I have a question I'm hoping you can assist me with regarding India and Pakistan.

Would you BRIEFLY tell me what Pakistan and India was like before their independence?

I'm trying to get some idea on how their government structure was like before their independence?

You assistance is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,


Answer
Hello Frank. British India up to 1947 was made up of what is now modern India, Pakistan and Bangladesh and was administered as one giant state. The government of this huge and diverse area evolved over the years, but the pattern of administration in 1947 was defined by the Government of India Act 1935. This allowed for a federation of native states and those provinces ruled directly by Britain. The Viceroy retained certain powers but others were devolved to provincial assemblies. This part of the Act came into force in 1937, following elections. The provincial assemblies allowed for minorities to be representated in a system of reserved seats and a guaranteed majority for religious groups where they were in a majority of the population. However the part of the Act establishing a Federal government for India was never implemented as the native Princes refused to join the Federation. When war broke out 1939 the Viceroy fell back on emergency powers and the scheme was suspended. After the war in 1946 provincial elections were held. Independence was achieved in 1947 with India being partitioned on religious grounds into India and Pakistan.
Mark