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An uneasy truce prevailed in the subcontinent. Mohamed Ali Jinnah for the Moslem League, and Jawaharlal Nehru for the All-India Congress, had accepted the plan which meant that at least two new nations, Hindustan and Pakistan, would arise in India. Finally, Mohandas Gandhi gave his acquiescence.

On a raised white platform in Delhi's Untouchable colony sat the Mahatma, cross-legged on a white cushion, a cooling wet white kerchief covering his bald head. Overhead glimmered a lone 80-watt electric bulb. Reluctantly he assented to the splitting of India. "What is past is past," he mourned. "I cannot blame the Viceroy for what has happened. It was an act of Congress and the League."

Viscount Mountbatten, India's Viceroy, whose vigorous leadership had won acceptance of the new plan, was careful to point out that he was acting merely as a broker in the vast transaction. The splitting of India was the Indians' choice. As an earnest of British intentions to get out as soon as possible, His Majesty's Government had promised Dominion status to the two Indias as soon as they could set up governments to receive British power. Said Dickie Mountbatten: "I've got my ticket bought for August 15th."

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