Part Three: Chapter 27, 28 and 29 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 27: Seeking the Divine in Man

In March of 1946, an envoy of British officials comes to India to settle the terms of its independence. These officials had gone over documents covering the proposed Pakistani state. They conclude that such action would not bring the desired result which was to solve the communal minority problem. The British officials recommend a united India, and the establishment of a central government along with provincial governments that would have sweeping authority.

In August 1946, Nehru is authorized to form the first Indian government. Nehru offers Jinnah a role in the government, but he rejects it. Jinnah declares a "Direct Action Day" on August 16th resulting in a four-day riot in Calcutta that results in 5,000 dead and 15,000 casualties. Despite the violence, Nehru becomes Prime Minister of India on September 2, 1946. Jinnah and...