The Indian Independence Act of 1947, enacted by the British Parliament on July 18, 1947, was a pivotal piece of legislation that marked the end of British rule in India and paved the way for the establishment of two independent nations: India and Pakistan. This act was a culmination of years of struggle and negotiation between the British government, the Indian National Congress, and the All India Muslim League, among other political entities.

The act was introduced by the then British Prime Minister, Clement Attlee, and was primarily drafted by the Secretary of State for India, Lord Mountbatten. It outlined the process for the transfer of power from the British Crown to the Indian leadership. The act provided for the partition of British India into two separate dominions—India and Pakistan—each with its own government and constitution. This partition was based largely on religious lines, with Pakistan intended to be a state for Muslims and India for Hindus and other religious communities.

The act also set a deadline for the end of British rule, which was August 15, 1947. On this date, both India and Pakistan became sovereign states, ending nearly 200 years of British colonial rule. The act led to significant upheaval and displacement as millions of people were forced to migrate across the newly drawn borders. Despite the challenges, the Indian Independence Act of 1947 remains a landmark in the history of South Asia, symbolizing the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in the region’s history.