Main characteristics of Indian Independence Act, 1947 are as follows:
1. By this Act, India was divided into two Dominions:
India and Pakistan.
2. The freedom to frame the new constitution was provided to both the dominions: India and Pakistan.
3. Demarcation of Boundary:
In Mountbatten Plan, the regions provided to India and Pakistan were also described. According to the plan, the Muslim – dominated areas were given to Pakistan, and Hindu – dominated areas, to India.
4. Dual Format of Constituent Assembly:
The constituent assemblies of two dominions would be sovereign and would act as legislatures until the framing of their constitutions.
5. The Right of operating Governance and Amendments:
The two dominions would operate the governance according to Government of India Act, 1935 and the two dominions would use they rights for making amendments in it.
6. The Governor – General of the new dominions:
For each of the two dominions, a separate Governor – General was to be appointed by the British Crown.
7. Powers of Governor – General:
The Governor – General was empowered to bring this Act in force and to divide the territories, powers, duties and rights.
8. An end of the rights of British Emperor:
The “Emperor of India” title was scrapped from the British Crown. All the rights of British emperor regarding India were ended.
9. The control of British Government was removed:
The control of British government in the newly – formed dominion or it’s any part was scrapped.
10. An end of the post of India Secretary:
According to the Indian Independence Act, 1947, the post of India Secretary was abolished and all his rights and powers were transferred to the Secretary of Commonwealth.
Evaluation of the Indian Independence Act, 1947:
By this Act, peaceful transfer of power took place smoothly, and the two independent and sovereign states of India and Pakistan came into existence and the long British rule ended. Lord Samuel called it an event unique in world history.
