Developments of 1937-1947 period Leading to the creation of Pakistan:

• Muslim league was formed in 1906 but Congress’s failure to mobilise the Muslim masses in the 1920s allowed the League to widen its social support.
• In Election results of 1937, they got very less seats, even in areas where a large number of Muslims lived, made them feel as a minority community.
• In 1940 two nation theory was floated by them.
• Elections to the provinces were again held in 1946. Congress did well in the “General” constituencies but the the league’s success in the seats reserved for Muslims was spectacular. So the league persisted with its demand for “Pakistan”.
• In March 1946 the British cabinet sent a three-member mission to Delhi to examine this demand and to suggest a suitable political framework for a free India.
• After the failure of the Cabinet Mission, the Muslim League decided on mass agitation for winning its Pakistan demand and announced 16 August 1946 as “Direct Action Day”.
• On this day riots broke out in Calcutta, lasting several days and resulting in the death of thousands of people, mostly Hindus.
• By March 1947 violence spread to different parts of northern India.
• With mass agitation, India was partitioned in 1947 and Pakistan was born.