"please help us." "We have nowhere to go." "Please help us." "We have nothing." "please help us." "Justice ... justice they burnt my house down." "Gandhiji." "Bapu ..." "Bapu." "Bapu." "Nothing left." "Take this please." "Mr Singh." "Jolly good." "Thank you." "That's one for posterity." "for accepting my invitation." "We are here for no less purpose than to settle the future of India." "and the view of His Majesty's government the better for all concerned" "Your Excellency." "Mr Jinnah if you will accept the cabinet mission plan federated state of India?" "No ... it is totally unacceptable to myself and the Muslim League." "Very well ... we must now discuss the details of the new initiative." "It provides for the independence and partition of the country." "my people are deeply worried will mean the partition of the Sikhs." "We feel trapped and hopelessly outmaneuvered in this political struggle that the new boundary lines and our culture." "it will be difficult to control our people." "Mr Singh." "The division of Indian into two separate nations appears to be the only option left open to us." "that if Pakistan is not to be a single unit but is to be divided into East and West Pakistan there must be a land corridor linking them." "I can only discuss the plan as it stands." "That is what we are here to approve." "It makes no mention of a corridor nor is there any provision for one." "Let us turn now to paragraph 20." "immediate transfer of power." "As you will see ..." "His Majesty's government suggests this can best be achieved of Dominion status." "we get total control of everything?" "Mr Kripalani." "It is the only practical way of bringing about a complete and speedy transfer of power." "instead of a Viceroy we would get a Governor General." "Who would act in a purely advisory capacity." "or to Great Britain?" "To both." "This offer is not made ... beyond her time. that we are quiting our obligations towards India." "Our assistance will not be withdrawn as long as it is still required." "These are the bare bones of the plan." "I would like you to discuss it privately and let me know your decisions. only that you accept the plan in principle." "I enter into the spirit of the proposals but we cannot make any final decision without consulting the people we represent." "must make vital decisions and trust to carrying their followers with them afterwards." "by midnight tonight." "By tonight?" "or not" "Your Excellency" "How did Nehru take it?" "he was very quiet." "he must realise it's either partition or anything." "walking up and down is not going to help." "Come and sit down." "I can't." "I don't think I've ever felt so nervous." "Gandhi's on his way here." "well no wonder you're nervous." "You're just about to destroy everything he's believed in and fought for his whole life." "Well I don't think he'll want to find me here with you." "I'd just as soon you stayed." "No ... sorry." "You'll have to face this on your own." "Good Luck." "sir." "Mr Gandhi." "How good to see you." "I hope you haven't come to bully me." "Forgive me." "Won't you take a seat." "Mr Gandhi." "I'd like to explain the situation to you exactly as I see it." "Exactly as I explained my ideas to Pandit Nehru and Sardar Patel." "No one knows better than you the dangerous escalation of violence that threatens India." "contain it." "I can't speak" "When I took the decision about the Monday silence" "I did make two exceptions ...or attending upon sick people." "you won't want me to break my silence." "Have I said one word against you during my speeches?" "There are one or two things I must talk about ... but not today." "I shall speak he won't speak to anyone?" "Not today." "Not to Nehru or Patel." "No one." "Urgent matters." "Well doesn't he think this urgent enough?" "perhaps?" "but I think I may have been saved by the bell." "Ah!" "..." "Mr Jinnah." "You will be pleased to know that both the Congress and the Sikhs have accepted the plan for partition without reservation." "and there's no going back." "You have your Pakistan." "All that remains now is your own formal acceptance." "Your Excellency." "Did I hear you correctly?" "I can only repeat what I said at the conference this morning." "I must put the proposition to the membership of the Muslim League." "I shall do my best to persuade them but the final decision must be theirs." "I can't believe this is happening." "You do realise that after all your years of struggling and dreaming you risk ruining everything. and I need time to consult." "Congress has insisted that the adoption of the plan by all parties must be simultaneous." "If you don't accept they will suspect a political manoeuvre. and the whole plan will be wrecked." "must be." "I can not consult the council of the League for at least three days." "Mr Jinnah... to throw away the dream for which you have worked for so many years." "I tell you what I'm going to do" "If your council refuses to ratify this plan you can put the blame on me." "that we have discussed everything and that I have accepted your assurances." "Then I shall look at you." "You don't have to say anything." "You merely have to nod your head ... and if you don't you will have lost your Pakistan you can go to hell!" "we reviewed the plan and I asked for your reactions by midnight." "I received a very full and reasoned letter from Mr Kripalani accepting the plan as President of the Congress Party." "Mr Kripalani?" "Your Excellency." "Thank you." "I also received a letter from Sardar Baldev Singh accepting on behalf of the Sikhs." "Mr Singh?" "Your Excellency." "Thank you. which satisfy me." "this must be a unique moment." "We all seem to be in agreement." "How did you fix the position of the boundaries" "Your Excellency?" "On the basis of the 1941 census which showed the predominantly Hindu and Muslim areas." "they are only for voting purposes." "The actual boundaries will be determined by if they are required." "There may be unfairness caused by simple geography if Hyderabad in the south wants to join Pakistan ...it cannot do so." "The states are absolutely free to choose." "geographical situation and communal interests will have to be considered." "What about paths for such long distances." "Corridors from one part of Pakistan to another." "I don't remember where that comes." "Which paragraph are you referring to?" "(Applause)" "We come to paragraph 19. if the people in states like Hyderabad reject the rule of the princes?" "The date of the transfer of power is going to be much earlier." "The date you mean is in 1947 ... not June 1948. may have left by the end of 1947." "We may have booked our berths and be gone." "(murmurs of consternation)" "May I ask you whether you mean that" "British troops also will be withdrawn?" "the answer is yes." "How long will His Excellency stay as His Excellency?" "stay on as Governor General." "That is far from being decided." "I think the transfer could be about   the 15 August ... this year." "Next." "So peaceful here ... I envy you." "For weeks I seem never to have stopped talking." "but you've ruined mine." "Independence on August 15th." "If the British government had set such an early date why didn't you warn us?" "Because they didn't choose it ..." "I did." "It popped into my head the moment the question was asked." "But it's less than three months away." "Just 72 days." "I'm not sure we can accomplish everything in the time." "It's got thing moving though ... hasn't it?" "(screams)" "to drive them out." "Who was it ?" "Some of his own people" "Thank you." "they call themselves who want an undivided Pakistan from Karachi to Calcutta." "They think Jinnah's sold them out." "Will you have a drink Claude?" "No thank you" "No ... are you sure?" "Yes sir." "What's this?" "Oh ... my new calendar." "Each page shows exactly how many days to partition." "Claude ..." "we have to talk about the army." "The Indian army." "Shortly to be split between India and Pakistan." "we're talking about the most superb army in the world." "we're not starting on this again." "but the Indian leaders do not have the same sentimental attachment to it that we have." "August 15th." "It's a natural wish." "And we agreed to it." "We've been friends for many years I don't want us to fall out over this. and we must give it to him." "Very well." "But it literally is impossible in the time." "Why?" "Well think of the complications." "every regiment has been organised into to balance one another" "Well that makes it easier." "The Hindu and Sikh battalions and the Muslims go to Pakistan." "Can you imagine the shambles that would cause in every divisional command?" "Hundreds of disconnected units being shipped backwards and forwards just when we might need them most." "And that's without asking who's to command them." "we've a few Indian Brigadiers but the entire general staff is British." "Then you'd better select some Hindu and Muslim officers and promote them double quick." "And no argument ... time is short." "let us keep some British troops as a strong central force... until after partition." "Out of the question." "I was appointed Commander in Chief to defend and maintain security in the subcontinent" "Circumstances prevent me from doing that." "But I still have a solemn duty to protect the lives of British civilians." "but they're in no danger." "At least let me have some..." "Haven't you realised it yet" "I'm not discussing it?" "but we've just got to get on with it." "You just have to get your staff busy organising the armed forces." "And no bloody nonsense about it ..." "Claude." "I wish the women of India could have heard Gandhiji." "What was he saying?" "that he thought women secretly ran this country." "even if it's not true." "Oh no ..." "I think he was only partly joking." "That may apply to a very few of us but it doesn't apply to all those millions of uneducated women and have no opportunities." "And that is the problem that we've got to face." "and then this would make matters worse." "we're here to form the nucleus of a nursing council." "I'm a newcomer to your country ... and ..." "I don't yet pretend to understand the intricacies the delicacies of the way Indian society is structured ...so I shall need your help." "I would guess however that one of the first things we must do is convince girls of good family profession." "The idea of service to one's fellow countrymen." "And of course conditions ..." "...those must be improved." "Let us drink the tea and then continue with the discussion." "If you'll excuse me." "Your Excellency." "Prime Minister." "but all those ladies... we'd stopped for tea." "are you very thirsty?" "Not in the least." "Are you sure this is alright?" "Can you bear to tear yourself away from your work?" "I have a few minutes." "I'm so grateful." "that sounded terrible." "I'm used to it." "Yes ..." "We haven't had a chance to talk together for weeks." "I had noticed." "it is not only" "Bengal and the Punjab which have to be divided." "All our assets must be shared with Pakistan." "(Edwina) Everything?" "(Nehru) hmm." "From money in the banks to rubber bands in the government offices." "Don't have to share rubber bands." "They do." "it would be funny if the reasons were not so tragic." "I saw Gandhi today." "what did he say?" "He said ..." "He said he loved and respected you and if I was to see you that  you were always in his thoughts." "He knows you've been under a great strain." "so has he." "and on" "But the fires will cool with independence." "What if they don't?" "No Edwina." "I will not let myself think of that." "and remaining 3 to Pakistan." "gentlemen..." "Item 323... two sets of ceremonial carriages and one of silver." "The agreement clearly states that 20 to Pakistan." "It would be criminal to break up the set." "I repeat .... the agreement clearly states." "Why should the Governor General of Pakistan and the Governor General of India ... we've managed to arrange everything thus far please" "There's a time honoured way of settling these things." "I'll toss a coin." "Heads for gold." "Major Khan." "Certainly." "Heads!" "Heads it is Major Singh." "Gold for India." "Now see that it polishes harnesses and ... except for the Viceroy's post horn." "The horn would normally go in the set." "we toss for it." "So you will win again?" "I'm not going to gamble for it." "please." "This is the last object." "We won't toss for it." "It's not much good split in half." "There's only one fair solution." "I'll keep it myself." "But the agreement clearly states that ..." "It'll look very nice on the mantelpiece." "bad luck Alan." "40 - 30" "Oh good shot sir." "Whoops." "Game set and match A.G." "Thank you boys." "Well played." "It was a good game." "I enjoyed that." "Your backhand's coming along rather well." "yes." "I think I was a little lucky this morning." "You look a bit out of condition." "I think I'll play the loser." "I'm whacked." "that's the first game we've played that hasn't been interrupted." "Alan." "things do seem to have calmed down a bit." "around Delhi." "But not in the Punjab and Bengal." "we only expect trouble there anyway." "I think Singh should relax a bit now that London's appointed Sir Cyril Radcliffe as chairman of the partition committee." "a very good one." "Oh!" "Your Excellency." "Mr Patel has arrived." "Lord!" "you'd better come with me V.P." "I told you." "Providence was listening." "do you know?" "I believe sir." "Ready?" "Only Joking." "good afternoon." "Your Excellency." "if anything important turned up but come and see you." "what can I do for you." "The Princely States. and they are ready to enforce it." "How could they?" "They only have to close their borders." "and railroad communications they could bring India to a standstill." "I'm not going to let them sit like undigested lumps in the belly of India." "And what do you want me to do?" "You know how to talk to these people you are a cousin of the King Emperor." "They are absolute rulers inside their own states." "I cannot order them to do anything." "You can persuade them." "or we send in the army." "But you're right that I know them." "I know their pride." "their heritage without offering something in return." "Such as? their status and titles." "Their titles will have no value." "They have value to them." "I'll accept that." "or there's no deal." "that there are 565 members of the Chamber of Princes." "But that's impossible." "I can't persuade that many in the time available." "you allow me a number of refusals." "Say fifty." "Three." "Then I can't do it." "All right ..." "I'll double it." "But no more than six refusals." "I'm afraid Nehru can't make it." "He's got a cabinet meeting." "He sends his apologies." "Thank you." "he's left me with a problem to add to all the others." "He's asked me to be the first Governor General of the Dominion of India." "And did you accept?" "Good heavens no." "I told him I'd have to think about it." "don't expect me to advise you." "Edwina ..." "...what's wrong?" "you wanted to do your job here and then get out as soon as it was done." "before I get  before we get too involved here." "Nehru's offering me." "Yes." "And a tremendous challenge." "it would help with the princes for them to know that I'm staying on." "no ..." "I haven't." "it wouldn't be fair to Pakistan." "Attlee and the cabinet feel as I do that both countries should have a joint Governor General. to handle mutual problems and help prevent friction." "And what does Mr Jinnah think? and I can't just walk up and ask him." "Could you bear to have him to dinner again?" "Oh!" "He'll only hog the conversation." "He never knows when to stop." "Fatima." "all right ... ask him." "As long as he doesn't tell any of his jokes." "I know." "Let me tell you a story Lady Louis." "you never know when to laugh." "Do you like that one Lady Louis?" "You must not let people think the Congress Party... one would easily think so." "isn't he?" "Most amusing." "Did I ever tell you the story about these two men?" "Mr Jinnah that you doubted the impartiality of the All India Editor's Conference since it was entirely Hindu." "That's correct." "but surely Dawn is a Muslim paper and I believe that you are the proprietor." "That is so." "But although you may not believe it" "I have never exercised any direct influence of its policy." "That is solely the responsibility of the editor." "he's always been in total agreement with my view." "Are you sure I haven't told you the story about these two men?" "Probably." "there once were these two men." "Let us call the first one 'A' and the second one ..." "'B'" "the other day." "Indeed." "He mentioned the Governor Generalship of India and wondered if I might be prepared to take it on." "Are congratulations in order?" "there should be at least for a period after partition." "I have been considering this too." "My suggestion is that you should stay on for a time as a kind of supreme arbiter above the Governor Generals." "I'd prefer a much more practical position." "there's no provision in the act for any kind of arbiter." "A pity." "I must not neglect my hostess." "Clot!" "Support the Muslim League." "Support the League and Pakistan." "and the policies of the Quad-i-Azam" "Mohammed Ali Jinnah." "Pakistan zindabad!" "Pakistan zindabad!" "Quad-i-Azam" "Sir Cyril." "How good to meet you." "Have you settled in all right?" "Your Excellency." "The bungalow's most comfortable." "Though I don't know how long I'll take to get used to being surrounded by armed guards." "You're the most famous man in India at the moment." "They're for your protection." "I see." "Sir Cyril?" "thank you." "Good." "Now ... just to recap." "Your sole task is to establish the new boundaries. until they are officially announced." "I understand." "Thank you." "that in view of the immensity of the territory to pick out a credible frontier through the maze of small communities should take several years." "that this is a matter of some urgency and I am ready to work with that in mind." "How long do I have?" "It must be finished by August 15th." "Dear God!" "You have exactly five weeks." "I have submitted a draft agreement through which the two new Dominions will take overall responsibility external affairs and communications." "But the central government will have no authority to interfere with internal matters or your sovereignty." "My friends ... so you will have to make your minds up ... now!" "And I therefore urge you to sign the act of accession." "Any questions up to this point?" "have our own armies." "Why can't we look after our own defence? but of defence against attack from outside." "Independence means being able to look after both." "you can keep your independence by defying the Dominion that surrounds you that you would be in a permanent state of siege and sooner or later you'd run out of ammunition. the Prime Minister to my ruler the Maharaja" "I'm authorised to sign on his behalf." "why don't you ask him? and I'm unable to contact him." "I don't know what to do." "let me look at my crystal ball." "there he is." "I can see him." "He's sitting having coffee with the captain." "He says your to sign." "(laughter and applause)" "Girdil." "It's a city of the dead." "How near is Radcliffe to finishing?" "It's difficult to say." "We deliberately have no contact with him so as not to influence him in any way." "At least the absorption of the Princely States should take place automatically." "Your Excellency." "To persuade all but three to sign is remarkable. the most important. to allow them more time to make up their minds." "As long as they will still be free to join whichever of the two Dominions they choose." "after full consultation." "There's another matter of some urgency on which we must make a decision." "Mr Patel?" "The astrologers have predicted   unanimously predicted ..." "August 15th as a disastrous day to begin independence." "Astrologers?" "it is of profound importance. it could cause great alarm and agitation." "are you seriously telling me that you wish to postpone independence to a later day. it might be wise to consider a postponement." "There may be a possible compromise which would satisfy the astrologers." "We could proclaim independence on August 14th ...precisely at midnight." "Midnight?" "That would do it?" "Yes." "It is of no consequence to me." "The creation of Pakistan in Karachi." "we are agreed." "Independence for India will be proclaimed on August 14th ...at midnight." "gentlemen" "I was just changing for dinner." "Sir Cyril." "His Excellency is leaving for Karachi tomorrow for the ceremonies to welcome the birth of the new Pakistan." "Yes." "he wonders if the awards are ready?" "The Bengal and Punjab awards are complete." "I've still to finish the Sylhet district." "So they're not ready sir." "I've just said so." "If the Viceroy wishes to make an issue of it? then he doesn't want any. until the evening of the 14th." "and the 15th is a national holiday." "So I can't get them printed until the 16th at the earliest. that's when the kissing has to stop." "before the 15th British troops will have to deal with it." "we won't?" "Exactly right." "It'll be the Indian government's pigeon and I can safely say that I don't know anything about them." "And we can let them have their celebrations after all." "are we ready?" "sir." "Military secretary to Mr Jinnah." "Ah yes." "Might I have a word sir." "Colonel?" "We've had information that an attempt will be made the Governor General during your procession to Government House." "armed with hand grenades and we don't know who they are" "There'll be a crowd of hundreds of thousands." "You'll be driving with Mr Jinnah in an open car and I'm afraid we can't offer you any real protection." "What does Mr Jinnah have to say about this?" "He's reluctant to cancel the procession but he doesn't want to risk your life" "We can get you by another route to Government House and meet him there." "Not if he's prepared to go through with it." "Going with him sir?" "can I?" "I've brought you back alive." "You've brought me back alive?" "that takes the biscuit." "Just now ..." "in this part of the world ... our united efforts ..." "have melted the ice ... and we are carried ..." "in the full flood." "There is no time to look back." "There is only time to look forward." "The moment has come ..." "to bid you farewell." "May Pakistan ..." "prosper always." "And may she continue ..." "in friendship with her neighbours ... and with all the nations of the world." "Long years ago ..." "we made a tryst with destiny ... and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge." "or in full measure ..." "but very substantially." "A moment comes ..." "which comes but rarely in history ... when we step out from the old to the new." "When an age ends ... and when the soul of a nation long suppressed  finds utterance." "At the stroke of the midnight hour ... when the world sleeps ..." "India will awake to life and freedom."