My Mother — Page 88
88 started the last phase of the process that culminated in the parti- tion of India and the establishment of Pakistan. Mr. Attlee, the Prime Minister of Great Britain, announced the scheme of partition on June 3, 1947. I was suddenly confronted with the problem whether on partition I would choose to remain in India or not. I was senior judge of the Federal Court and had earned a good reputation for the independence of my views. Were I to decide to remain in India after partition, there would be every reason to assume that I would be the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India. I felt, however, not the least hesitation in deciding that I would not remain permanently in India after par tition. I sent in my resignation from the Court on the same day, to take effect a week later. His Highness Nawab Sir Hameedullah Khan, Ruler of Bhopal, was Chancellor of the Chamber of Princes. We had known each other since 1930. He asked me to go to Bhopal as his Constitutional Advisor during the difficult days ahead. I went to Bhopal. Seated here with Muhammad Ali Jinnah (1876 to 1948) the Quaid-i-Azam (Great Leader) and founder of Pakistan. Jinnah led the All-India Muslim League from 1913 until the creation of Pakistan in 1947, and then became the first Governor-General of Pakistan until his death in 1948.