The Radcliffe Committee was appointed to
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- Asolve the problem of minorities in India
- Bgiven effect to the Independence Bill
- Cdelimit the boundaries between India and Pakistan
- Denquire into the riots in East Bengal.
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Answer: (C) delimit the boundaries between India and Pakistan
The Radcliffe Committee (headed by Sir Cyril Radcliffe, a British lawyer) was appointed in 1947 to demarcate/draw the boundary line between India and Pakistan — both on the western side (Punjab) and eastern side (Bengal).
Radcliffe had never visited India before and was given just 5 weeks to divide the subcontinent.
The boundary he drew is called the 'Radcliffe Line.'
Don't confuse with:
(a) Minorities problem — addressed by various other commissions.
(b) Independence Bill — the Indian Independence Act, 1947 was passed by British Parliament.
(d) Riots inquiry — separate commissions were set up for that.
(Ref: Spectrum Modern India)
The Radcliffe Line became the international border between India and Pakistan, affecting millions of people during partition in 1947.
Sir Cyril Radcliffe, who had never visited India, was given only 5 weeks to draw boundaries through Punjab and Bengal that would determine the fate of the subcontinent.
Radcliffe Committee & Boundary Demarcation
Modern Indian History Radcliffe Committee
Radcliffe Committee: The Partition Boundary Commission of 1947
Radcliffe Committee was appointed in 1947 to demarcate boundaries between India and Pakistan
Headed by Sir Cyril Radcliffe, a British lawyer who had never visited India
The boundary drawn is called the Radcliffe Line
Given only 5 weeks to divide the subcontinent
Context & Appointment
The Radcliffe Committee was established under the Indian Independence Act, 1947 to solve the most complex challenge of Partition — drawing viable boundaries between the new nations of India and Pakistan.
Committee Structure
Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
Chairman | Sir Cyril Radcliffe (British lawyer) |
Punjab Commission | 2 Indian National Congress + 2 Muslim League members |
Bengal Commission | 2 Indian National Congress + 2 Muslim League members |
Timeline | June-August 1947 (5 weeks) |
Mandate | Demarcate boundaries in Punjab and Bengal |
Key Features
Radcliffe was chosen because he was unfamiliar with India — considered 'impartial'
Separate commissions for Punjab (western boundary) and Bengal (eastern boundary)
The Radcliffe Line became the official border between India and Pakistan
Awards were announced on August 17, 1947 — 2 days after Independence
Radcliffe Line Map
Source: Britannica — Radcliffe Line | Indo-Pak Border, Partition of India, & Indian ... · www.britannica.com
Not for minorities problem — that was addressed by separate commissions
Not for implementing Independence Bill — that was done by British Parliament
Not for riot enquiry — separate commissions investigated communal riots
Remember: Boundary demarcation was Radcliffe's sole mandate
Indian Independence Act 1947
Modern Indian History Independence Bill
Indian Independence Act 1947: Legislative Framework of Partition
Indian Independence Act 1947 passed by British Parliament on July 18, 1947
Created two dominions — India and Pakistan from August 15, 1947
Lord Mountbatten remained Governor-General of India initially
Muhammad Ali Jinnah became Governor-General of Pakistan
Legislative Background
The Indian Independence Act 1947 was the constitutional mechanism that legally partitioned British India and granted independence. This Act — not any committee — gave effect to the Independence Bill.
Key Provisions
Provision | Details |
|---|---|
Date of Independence | August 15, 1947 |
New Dominions | India and Pakistan |
Status | Dominion status under British Commonwealth |
Boundary Commission | Established Radcliffe Committee for demarcation |
Princely States | Free to join either dominion |
British Paramountcy | Lapsed on August 15, 1947 |
Constitutional Impact
Constituent Assemblies of both dominions could frame their own constitutions
British Parliament lost legislative authority over the new dominions
Governor-General appointed by each dominion, not by British Crown
Act provided legal framework for partition and boundary demarcation
Other Partition-Era Commissions
Modern Indian History minorities riots
Commissions During Partition: Beyond Boundary Demarcation
Multiple commissions addressed minorities, riots, and rehabilitation during partition
Minorities issue handled by separate constitutional and administrative mechanisms
Riot enquiry commissions were distinct from boundary demarcation
Context
Partition created multiple challenges beyond boundary drawing — communal violence, minority protection, and refugee rehabilitation required separate administrative and investigative responses.
Partition-Era Issues & Responses
Issue | Mechanism/Commission | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
Boundary Demarcation | Radcliffe Committee | Draw India-Pakistan border |
Minorities Protection | Constitutional provisions & agreements | Safeguard minority rights |
Communal Riots | Various enquiry commissions | Investigate partition violence |
Refugee Rehabilitation | Relief & Rehabilitation Ministry | Resettle displaced populations |
Asset Division | Partition Council | Divide government assets |
Don't confuse Radcliffe Committee with riot enquiry commissions
Minorities problem was not solved by any single committee — it was a constitutional matter
East Bengal riots had separate investigation mechanisms, not Radcliffe Committee