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| 1947, Feb. 20 |
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| To hasten developments, the British government declared its intention to transfer power into Indian hands not later than June 1948. | 1 |
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| May 29 |
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| The constituent assembly outlawed “untouchability.” | 2 |
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| June 3 |
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| Following negotiations with Hindu and Muslim leaders, the British government announced the new constitutional plan, which called for partition between India and Pakistan. This plan was endorsed by the Muslim League on June 9 and the All-India Congress on June 16. | 3 |
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| July 5 |
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| The Indian Independence Bill was introduced into Parliament. It called for two dominions, India and Pakistan, and the termination of British authority over the remaining Indian states. Both India and Pakistan were to remain members of the British Commonwealth. The bill became law on July 18. | 4 |
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| Aug. 15 |
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| THE INDEPENDENCE OF INDIA went into effect. The process of partition was accompanied by terrible acts of violence, notably in the Punjab region, among Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs. By the end of September, close to 2 million refugees had been exchanged between India and Pakistan. | 5 |
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| Sept. 21 |
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| The two new governments issued a joint statement stressing their readiness to remove all causes of conflict. | 6 |
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