Question

The cabinet mission which was arrived in Delhi in 1946 was headed by:-
A. Lord Pethick Lawrence
B. Sir Stafford Cripps
C. AV. Alexander
D. Lord Attlee

Answer 1

Hint: To maintain India's unity and grant its independence, the Cabinet Mission came to India to negotiate the transition of powers from the British Government to the Indian leadership.

Complete answer: The Britishers felt that their temporary patronage of the Muslim League contrasted with their longstanding need for Indian unity towards the end of their rule. The desire for a united India was the result of both their pride in having stabilised the subcontinent politically and the concerns of most British authorities as to Pakistan's feasibility.
This desire for Indian unification was symbolised by the Cabinet Mission sent by the British Government to New Delhi on 24 March 1946, in which the focus was the form of a post-independent India. Stafford Cripps, Pethick-Lawrence and A.V. Alexander, the three men who made up the mission, For political purposes, favoured India's unity.
This plan was formulated on the initiative of the three British Cabinet members- Lord Pethick-Lawrence, the Secretary of State for India, Sir Stafford Cripps, President of the Board of Trade, and A. V. Alexander, the First Lord of the Admiralty, reached Delhi on 24th March 1946. It was called the Cabinet Mission and it was headed by Lord Pethick Lawrence.
(a)Cabinet mission was headed by Lord Pethick Lawrence, hence this option is correct.
(b)Cabinet mission was not headed by Sir Stafford Cripps, hence this option is incorrect.
(c)Cabinet mission was not headed by A.V. Alexander, hence this option is incorrect.
(d)Cabinet mission was not headed by Lord Attlee, hence this option is also incorrect.
Therefore, option A is the right answer.

Note: On 10 July 1946, Nehru's speech dismissed the idea that the provinces would be obliged to enter a group and stated that neither the Congress was bound nor committed to the plan. Nehru's address, in essence, squashed the mission's plan and the opportunity to keep India united. Jinnah interpreted the speech as another instance of congressional treachery. The Muslim League rescinded its previous approval of the proposal on 29 July with Nehru's speech on groupings.