Question

Read the excerpt given below and answer the questions that follow:

“Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny and now the time comes, when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom... It is fitting that at this solemn moment we take the pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still large cause of humanity.” - Tryst with Destiny Speech by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru

1. What happened at the stroke of midnight hour? Which ‘unending quest’ is Jawaharlal Nehru talking about in the excerpt? Who all strived to end this quest?
2. Where and when did Jawaharlal Nehru made this historic speech? Name any two famous dignitaries present there?
3. Name the British Act that led to Jawaharlal Nehru’s speech. State three features of this Act.

Answer 1

1. At the stroke of the midnight hour India became independent - India got freedom on 15 August 1947. The “unending quest” refers to the quest for India’s independence (freedom from British rule). Those who strove to end this quest were the people of India - including freedom fighters, leaders of the national movement (e.g. the Congress and other national leaders) and the masses - in short, all Indians.
2. Jawaharlal Nehru delivered this historic “Tryst with Destiny” speech in the Constituent Assembly at the moment of transfer of power (around midnight 14–15 August 1947). Two famous dignitaries present were Lord Mountbatten and Lady Edwina Mountbatten.
3. The British Act was the Indian Independence Act, 1947. Three features:
   • Partition: British India was to be partitioned into two independent Dominions, India and Pakistan, effective 15 August 1947.
   • Constituent Assemblies: The Constituent Assemblies of the two Dominions were to act as the central legislatures with full powers to make laws for their respective Dominions.
   • Division of provinces: Bengal and Punjab could be divided (and provincial assemblies of the two parts would meet separately to decide by majority vote whether they wanted division).