Indian Independence Act 1947 — Definition

Definition

The Indian Independence Act 1947 was the British statute that provided for two independent Dominions, India and Pakistan, from 15 August 1947. It gave their legislatures independent law-making authority, ended British governmental responsibility and provided for the lapse of Crown paramountcy over princely states.

It also supplied a transitional framework for government and constitution-making. Royal assent occurred on 18 July 1947, before the appointed day. The Act was a legal bridge out of colonial rule; it was not India’s final republican Constitution, and it did not itself complete the accession and integration of every princely state.