Q. Who was the Chairman of the Boundary Commission to define the boundaries of the dominions under the Indian Independence Act of 1947?
(a) Lord Wavell
(b) Stafford Cripps
(c) Lord Mountbatten
(d) Cyril Radcliffe
Ans: (d) Cyril Radcliffe
Explanation: The correct answer is (d) Cyril Radcliffe.
Cyril Radcliffe, a British barrister, was appointed as the Chairman of the Boundary Commission tasked with defining the boundaries of the newly created dominions of India and Pakistan under the Indian Independence Act of 1947. Radcliffe’s task was to demarcate the borders between the two countries based on various factors such as population demographics, religious considerations, and administrative viability. The boundary demarcation process carried out by Radcliffe resulted in the partition of Punjab and Bengal and the creation of the Radcliffe Line, which defined the borders between India and Pakistan.