20 February 1947, the day when Britain accepted defeat, PM Attlee announced to liberate India: – ..

By Samira Vishwas On Feb 20, 2026

News India Live, Digital Desk: Seeing the weakening economic condition of Britain after the Second World War and the increasing public anger in India, the British government decided that it was no longer in their power to rule India. Attlee had declared that the British 30 June 1948 Will hand over power to Indians.

4 big things of Atlee’s announcement (Key Highlights)

The Deadline: Attlee made it clear that the British government would leave India before June 1948. This was the first time that the British had given a definite date for their withdrawal.

Appointment of Lord Mountbatten: On the same day it was also announced that Lord Wavell In place of Lord Mountbatten Will be made the new Viceroy of India. He was given the special responsibility of completing the process of transfer of power.

Who will be handed over power?: The declaration stated that if the Indian parties (Congress and Muslim League) did not agree on a constitution, the British government would decide to whom power would be handed over—whether it would be the central government or the existing provincial governments.

Future of Princely States: It was also made clear that British Paramountcy would end, but the princely states would not automatically be handed over to anyone.

Why did we get independence before the scheduled date?

Although Attlee gave the date of June 1948, India 15 August 1947 Got freedom. The main reasons behind this were:

Communal riots: Hindu-Muslim riots across the country had made the situation explosive.

Mountbatten’s haste: Mountbatten believed that the longer the delay, the more the situation would get out of control. Therefore, they started the process of partition and independence 10 months in advance.

Winston Churchill’s opposition

Interestingly, Attlee’s decision was taken by former Prime Minister Winston Churchill Had strongly protested. Churchill was against liberating India, but Attlee’s Labor Party made India’s independence its priority.