Interim Government of India
Cabinet ofBritish India
Nehru with members of the Interim government faction leaving Viceroy's House after swearing in on 2 September 1946
Date formed	2 September 1946 (1946-09-02)
Date dissolved	15 August 1947 (1947-08-15)
People and organisations
Emperor	George VI
Viceroy and Governor-General	The Viscount Wavell (1946–47) The Viscount Mountbatten of Burma (1947)
Head of Government	Jawaharlal Nehru (as Vice President of Executive Council)
No. of ministers	15
Member parties	Indian National Congress All-India Muslim League
Status in legislature	Coalition
History
Successor	First Nehru ministry (InIndia) Ali Khan administration (InPakistan)

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Prehistoric Paleolithic Masol c. 2.6 Ma Riwat c. 2.5 Ma Madrasian culture c. 1.5 Ma Soanian c. 500,000 BCE Neolithic, c. 7600 – c. 1000 BCE Bhirrana 7570 – 6200 BCE Jhusi 7106 BCE Lahuradewa 7000 BCE Koldihwa 7000 BCE Mehrgarh 7000 – 2600 BCE South Indian Neolithic 3000 – 1000 BCE
Ancient Indus Valley Civilization, c. 3300 – c. 1700 BCE Post Indus Valley Period (Cemetery H Culture), c. 1700 – c. 1500 BCE Vedic civilization, c. 1500 – c. 500 BCE Kuru kingdom, c. 1200 – c. 500 BCE Early Vedic period Rise of Śramaṇa movement Later Vedic Period Spread of Jainism – Parshvanatha Spread of Jainism – Mahavira Rise of Buddhism Kingdom of Magadha Brihadratha Dynasty 1700 – 682 BCE Haryanka Dynasty 544 – 413 BCE Shaishunaga Dynasty 413 – 345 BCE Nanda Dynasty, 345 – 322 BCE Mahajanapadas, c. 600 – 345 BCE
Classical Kingdom of Magadha Maurya Dynasty, 322 – 185 BCE Pandya Dynasty, 320 BCE- 280 CE Shunga Dynasty, 185 – 73 BCE Kanva Dynasty, 73 – 28 BCE Sangam period 300 BCE – 400 CE Kushan Dynasty, c. 30 – c. 375 CE Satavahana Dynasty, c. 228 BCE – c. 224 CE Gupta Dynasty, c. 240 – c. 550 CE
Early medieval Pallava dynasty, 275 CE - 897 CE Chalukya Dynasty, 543 – 753 CE Pandya Dynasty, 590 CE - 920 CE Harsha's Dynasty, c. 606 CE – c. 647 CE Karakota Dynasty, c. 724 – c. 760 CE Arab Invasion, c. 738 CE Tripartite Struggle, c. 760 – c. 973 CE Pratihara dynasty Rastrakuta Dynasty Pala Dynasty Chola Dynasty, c. 848 – c. 1251 CE 2nd Chalukya Dynasty, c. 973 – c. 1187 CE
Late medieval Delhi Sultanate, 1206 – 1526 CE Mamluk Dynasty Khalji Dynasty Tugluq Dynasty Sayyid Dynasty Lodhi Dynasty Pandyan Empire, 1251 – 1618 CE Vijayanagara, 1336 – 1646 CE Bengal Sultanate, 1342 – 1576 CE
Early modern Mughal Dynasty, 1526 – 1540 CE Suri Dynasty, 1538/40 – 1556 CE Mughal Dynasty, 1556 – 1857 CE Bengal Subah, c. 1576 – c. 1757 CE Maratha Empire, c. 1674 – c. 1818 CE Company Raj, c. 1757 – c. 1858 CE Kingdom of Mysore, c. 1760 – c. 1799 CE Sikh Empire, c. 1799 – c. 1849 CE
Modern The Great Rebellion, 1857 – 1858 CE British Raj, 1858 – 1947 CE Independence Movement Independent India, 1947 CE – present Dominion of India, 1947 – 1950 CE Republic of India, 1950 CE – present
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Etymology Timeline Traditional Urheimat
Ancient Neolithic 7600 - 3300 BCE Bronze Age 3300 – 1200 BCE     Pundra kingdom c.1280 – c. 300 BCE Iron Age 1200 – 200 BCE Vanga kingdom c.1100 – c. 340 BCE     House of Vijaya 543 BCE - 66 CE Northern Culture 700 – 200 BCE Gangaridai c. 350 – c. 300 BCE Nanda Dynasty c. 345 BCE– c. 322 BCE Mauryan Empire 325 – 185 BCE Samatata kingdom c. 232 BCE – 800 AD Shunga andKushan c. 185 BCE – c. 75 CE Southwestern Silk Road c. 114 BCE – c. 1450 CE Indo-Roman trade relations c. 30 BCE – c. 600 CE Gupta Empire 240 – 550 CE Kamarupa kingdom 350 – 1140 CE
Medieval Jaintia Kingdom 500 – 1835 CE Gauda Kingdom 590 – 626 CE Laur kingdom 600 - 1565 CE Harikela kingdom 600 - 650 CE Gour Kingdom 600 – 1303 CE Khadga dynasty 650 – 750 CE Bhadra dynasty c. 700s CE Pala Empire 750 – 1100 CE Chandra dynasty 900 – 1050 CE Sena dynasty 1070 – 1320 CE Deva dynasty 1100 – 1250 CE Ghurid Conquest 1202 CE Khaljis of Bengal 1204 - 1231 CE Taraf Kingdom c. 1200s – c. 1600s CE Bhulua Kingdom 1203 – 1600s CE Delhi Sultanate 1204 – 1338 CE     Mamluk Dynasty 1206 – 1290 CE     Khalji Dynasty 1290 – 1320 CE     Tugluq Dynasty 1320 – 1338,1342 CE City State Sultanates     Sonargaon 1338 – 1352 CE     Lakhnauti/Gauda 1342 – 1352 CE     Satagon/Saptagram 1342 – 1352 CE Twipra Kingdom c. 1400 – 1949 CE Bengal Sultanate 1352 – 1576 CE     Ilyas Shahi dynasty 1342 – 1487 CE     House of Ganesha 1414 – 1436 CE     Habshi dynasty 1487 – 1494 CE     Hussein Shahi 1494 – 1538 CE     Suri Interruption 1539 – 1554 CE     Muhammad Shahi 1554 – 1564 CE     Karrani dynasty 1564 – 1576 CE Pratapgarh Kingdom 1489 – 1700s CE
Early Modern Koch Kingdom 1515 – 1956 CE Suri Dynasty 1540 – 1556 CE Twelve Bhuyans 1550 – 1620 CE Porto Grande de Bengala 1528 – 1666 CE Kingdom of Mrauk U 1530 – 1666 CE Mughal Empire 1576 – 1717 CE     Bengal Subah 1576 – 1717 CE     Rajshahi Raj c. 1700s - 1950 CE     Zamindars 1700s - 1900s CE Pratapaditya Kingdom 1602 – 1611 CE Sitaram Ray Kingdom 1688 – 1714 CE Nawabs of Bengal 1717 – 1757 CE     Maratha Invasions 1742 - 1751 CE     Siege of Calcutta 1756 CE Shamsher Gazi's Kingdom 1748 – 1760 CE Company Raj 1757 – 1858 CE     Bengal famine of 1770 1770 CE     Bengal Renaissance 1772 - 1913 CE     Faraizi Movement 1818 – 1884 CE     The Great Rebellion 1857 – 1858 CE Tariqah-i-Muhammadiya 1830 – 1831 CE     Titumir's rebellion 1830s CE British Raj 1858 – 1947 CE     Partition of Bengal 1905 CE     Bengal and Assam 1905 - 1912 CE     Bengal Famine 1943 CE     Bengali Prime Minister 1937 - 1947 CE     Noakhali riots 1946 CE
Modern East Bengal 1947 – 1955 CE     Partition of Bengal (1947) 1947 CE     East Bengali refugees 1947 CE     Bengali Language Movement 1948 – 1956 CE East Pakistan 1955 – 1971 CE     1964 East Pakistan riots 1964 CE     Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 1965 CE     Six Point Movement 1966 CE     East Pakistan Uprising 1969 CE     Pakistani general election 1970 CE     Non-cooperation 1971 CE Bangladesh Liberation War 1971 CE     Independence Declaration 1971 CE     Provisional Government 1971 – 1972 CE     Bangladesh Genocide 1971 CE     Surrender of Pakistan 1971 CE
Contemporary Bangladesh famine 1974 CE Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League 1975 CE Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman 1975 CE Jail Killing Day 1975 CE Military rule 1975 – 1990 CE Military coups in Bangladesh 1975 - 2011 CE Chittagong Hill Tracts conflict 1977 - 1997 CE Mass Uprising 1990 CE Transition to democracy 1991 – 2008 CE Caretaker government of Bangladesh 1996 CE Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord 1997 CE Bangladeshi political crisis 2006–2008 CE Hasina era 2009–2024 CE Vision 2021 and Digital Bangladesh 2008 CE Bangladesh Rifles revolt 2009 CE Shapla Square protests 2013 CE Bangladesh quota reform movement 2013 CE International Crimes Tribunal 2009 CE 2015 Bangladeshi political crisis 2015 CE 2018 Bangladesh road-safety protests 2018 CE 2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement 2018 CE 2021 Bangladesh Communal Violence 2021 CE Smart Bangladesh Bangladesh protests (2022–2024) 2022- 2024 CE July Revolution 2024 CE Aftermath of July Revolution 2024–present CE Yunus ministry
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Ancient Palaeolithic Soanian culture, c. 500,000 – 250,000 BCE Neolithic Mehrgarh, c. 7000 – c. 3000 BCE Indus Valley Civilisation, c. 3300 – c. 1700 BCE Vedic Civilization, c. 1500 – c. 500 BCE Achaemenid Empire, c. 550 – c. 330 BCE Gedrosia, c. 542 – c. 330 BCE Gandhara, c. 518 – c. 330 BCE Arachosia, c. 518 – c. 330 BCE Hindush, c. 517 – c. 330 BCE Sattagydia, c. 516 – c. 330 BCE Ror dynasty, c. 489 – c. 450 BCE Macedonian Empire, c. 329 – c. 323 BCE Arachosia, c. 323 – c. 312 BCE Gedrosia, c. 323 – c. 312 BCE Paropamisadae, c. 323 – c. 312 BCE Porus, c. 323 – c. 312 BCE Taxiles, c. 323 – c. 312 BCE Mauryan Empire, c. 322 – c. 200 BCE Seleucid Empire, c. 312 – c. 63 BCE Greco-Bactrian Kingdom, c. 190 – c. 140 BCE Indo-Greek Kingdom, c. 170 – c. 50 BCE Indo-Scythian Kingdom, c. 110 BCE – c. 95 CE Apracharajas, c. 25 BCE – c. 50 CE Paratarajas, c. 120 – c. 300 CE
Classical Parthian Empire, c. 90 BCE – c. 25 CE Indo-Parthian Kingdom, c. 25 – c. 80 CE Kushan Empire, c. 60 – 345 CE Sasanian Empire, c. 250 – 655 CE Indo-Sasanians, c. 240 – 410 CE Kushano-Sasanian Kingdom, c. 240 – 410 CE Gupta Empire, c. 345 – c. 455 CE Rai dynasty, c. 415 – 644 CE Hephthalite Empire, c. 450 – 560 CE Brahman dynasty, c. 641 – 725 CE
Medieval Caliphate, c. 643 – 860 CE Rashidun Caliphate, c. 643 – 661 CE Umayyad Caliphate, c. 670 – 860 CE Pala Empire, c. 770 – 850 CE Habbari dynasty, c. 841 – 1024 CE Hindu Shahi, c. 870 – 1010 CE Samanid Empire, c. 905 – 999 CE Ghaznavids, c. 999 – 1186 CE Soomra dynasty, c. 1024 – 1351 CE Ghurid dynasty, c. 1170 – 1215 CE Delhi Sultanate, c. 1206 – c. 1526 CE Mamluk dynasty, c. 1206 – c. 1290 CE Khalji dynasty, c. 1290 – c. 1320 CE Tugluq dynasty, c. 1320 – c. 1413 CE Sayyid dynasty, c. 1414 – c. 1451 CE Lodhi dynasty, c. 1451 – c. 1526 CE Mongol Empire, c. 1221 – c. 1327 CE Chagatai Khanate, c. 1225 – c. 1485 CE Ilkhanate, c. 1256 – c. 1353 CE Raees dynasty, c. 1320 – 1620 CE Katoor dynasty, c. 1570 – c. 1947 CE Samma dynasty, c. 1351 – c. 1524 CE Arghun dynasty, c. 1520 – c. 1554 CE Mughal Empire, c. 1526 – c. 1707 CE Bombay Presidency, c. 1618 – c. 1947 CE Suri dynasty, c. 1540 – c. 1556 CE Tarkhan dynasty, c. 1554 – 1591 CE
Early modern Durrani Empire, c. 1747 – c. 1826 CE Las Bela, c. 1802 – c. 1947 CE Misl, c. 1716 – c. 1799 CE Maratha Empire, c. 1758 – c. 1760 CE Sikh Empire, c. 1799 – c. 1849 CE British Raj, c. 1858 – c. 1947 CE Independence Movement
Modern Pakistan, c. 1947 CE – present Dominion of Pakistan, c. 1947 – 1956 CE Republican Pakistan, c. 1956 CE – present
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TheInterim Government of India, also known as theProvisional Government of India, formed on 2 September 1946^[1] from the newly electedConstituent Assembly of India, had the task of assisting the transition ofBritish India to independence. It remained in place until 15 August 1947, the date of the independence (andpartition) of British India, and the creation of the dominions ofIndia andPakistan.^[2][3][4]

After the end of theSecond World War, the British authorities in India released all political prisoners who had participated in theQuit India movement. TheIndian National Congress, which had long fought for self rule, agreed to participate in elections for aconstituent assembly, as did theMuslim League. The newly elected government ofClement Attlee dispatched the1946 Cabinet Mission to India to formulate proposals for the formation of a government that would lead to an independent India.^[4]

The elections for the Constituent Assembly were not direct elections, as the members were elected from each of the provincial legislative assemblies. In the event, the Indian National Congress won a majority of the seats, some 69 per cent, including almost every seat in areas with a majority Hindu electorate. The Congress had clear majorities in eight of the eleven provinces ofBritish India.^[5] The Muslim League won the seats allocated to the Muslim electorate.

TheViceroy's Executive Council became the executive branch of the interim government. Originally headed by the Viceroy of India, it was transformed into a council of ministers, with the powers of aprime minister bestowed on the vice-president of the Council, a position held by the Congress leaderJawaharlal Nehru. After independence, all members would be Indians, apart from the Viceroy, in August to become theGovernor-General,Lord Mountbatten, who would hold only a ceremonial position, and theCommander-in-Chief, India,^[4]Sir Claude Auchinleck, replaced after independence byGeneral Sir Rob Lockhart.

The senior Congress leaderVallabhbhai Patel held the second-most powerful position in the Council, heading theDepartment of Home Affairs,Department of Information and Broadcasting.^[6] TheSikh leaderBaldev Singh was responsible for theDepartment of Defence andChakravarthi Rajagopalachari was named to head theDepartment of Education and arts.^[6]Asaf Ali, a Muslim Congress leader, headed theDepartment of Railways and Transport.Scheduled Caste leaderJagjivan Ram headed theDepartment of Labour, whileRajendra Prasad headed theDepartment of Food and Agriculture andJohn Matthai headed the Department of Industries and Supplies.^[6]

Upon the Muslim League joining the interim government, the second highest-ranking League politician,Liaquat Ali Khan, became the head of theDepartment of Finance.Abdur Rab Nishtar headed the Departments of Posts and Air andIbrahim Ismail Chundrigar headed theDepartment of Commerce.^[6] The League nominated a Scheduled Caste Hindu politician,Jogendra Nath Mandal, to lead theDepartment of Law.^[6]

As per the mid-June 1946Cabinet Mission Plan, the Executive Council was expanded to consist of only Indian members except the Viceroy and the Commander-in-Chief intended to form the Interim Government of India until the transfer of power. The Viceroy, Viscount Wavell extended invitations for 14 members.

The Interim Government began to function from 2 September 1946 once the Indian National Congress members took their seats. However, the All-India Muslim League refused to participate until 26 October 1946. The Interim Government served until transfer of power to theDominion of India and theDominion of Pakistan on 15 August 1947.

No.	Portrait		Name	Term of office		Political party
1			Baldev Singh	2 September 1946	15 August 1947	Indian National Congress

Although until August 1947 British India remained under the sovereignty of theUnited Kingdom, the interim government proceeded to establish diplomatic relations with other countries, including theUnited States.^[3] Meanwhile, the Constituent Assembly, from which the Interim Government was drawn, began the task of drafting aconstitution for independent India.

• Viceroy's Executive Council
• Council of State (India)
• Government of British Raj
• Imperial Legislative Council
• Central Legislative Assembly

• Government of British India
• History of the government of India
• History of the government of Bangladesh
• Indian independence movement
• 1940s in Indian politics
• 1946 in India
• 1947 in India
• Constituent Assembly of India
• Provisional governments
• 1946 in British India
• 1947 in British India

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