INDIA: 14 Weeks, 7 Knights

In Delhi 4.5 inches of rain, the heaviest single fall in 20 years, ushered in the monsoon season, ushered out the three British Cabinet ministers who had hoped to bring independence to India. Exactly 14 weeks after they had arrived, the Cabinet mission took off into overcast skies, leaving an India precariously set on the road to self-government but still far from the goal to which they had hoped to lead it.

After 14 weeks India still had a government that did not represent India's major political groups. The day the mission left, Viceroy Lord Wavell appointed a temporary "caretaker" government...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!