Independence Day

Every year on 15^th August Independence Day is celebrated to mark India’s independence from the British rule. But do you know that according to original plans India was to gain independence some months later?

On 20 Feb 1947, British Prime Minister Attlee issued a statement in the parliament fixing the date of British withdrawal from India as 30^th June 1948. But considering the rapidly deteriorating communal situation in the unified India, the then viceroy of India- Lord Mountbatten, proposed an early transfer of power on 15^th Aug 1947. In July1947, Britain's Parliament passed the Indian Independence Act, which set a deadline of midnight on August 14-15, 1947 for "demarcation of the dominions of India."

Then Why Don’t India and Pakistan Celebrate Independence Day on the same day?

India and Pakistan got partitioned during the midnight of 14-15 August 1947. Pakistan was formed before 12 and India was formed after 12. That is why, Pakistan celebrate their Independence Day one day earlier than India.

Note: If someone can throw more light on this, or point us to some historical evidence, we’ll be grateful.

• Do you know after the partition, Pakistan used Indian currency with "Pakistan" stamped on it for the first few months till there was enough circulation of Pakistani notes. Check the image of the Pakistan’s currency note of that time and read other interesting facts.

One Mr Bhadra has provided a different perspective to this through his comment on a blog post here. Referring to a book written by Mr KN Rao, head of Astrological Division of Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan, New Delhi, he says,

Bringing the declaration to the midnight and thereby continuing on to 15 August was a well planned move based solely on Astrological Consideration, determined by three Brahmins, namely Pundit Herdeo Joshi, Rajendra Prasad and S.Radhakrishanan. They decided the time in accordance with the suitability for coronation of Nehru and longevity of his Royal tenure.
Midnight of 14 / 15 was the most suitable time with “Pushyami Nakshtra”, “Sarva Siddhi Yoga” and Taurus as a stable ascendant rising and coinciding with the natal ascendant of Nehru.
These considerations gave India 15 Aug as Independence Day.