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The first Prime Minister of India in 1947 was appointed by
Explanation
On August 15, 1947, India became an independent Dominion under the British Commonwealth. According to the Indian Independence Act of 1947, the British rule ended and power was transferred to the new Dominion of India, where Lord Mountbatten was appointed as the first Governor-General [2]. As the constitutional head of the state, the Governor-General held the authority to appoint the Prime Minister and other ministers, who were to act as his council of advisors [2]. Consequently, Lord Mountbatten appointed Jawaharlal Nehru as the first Prime Minister of India [3]. The office of the President of India did not exist at this time; it was only established on January 26, 1950, when India became a Republic and Dr. Rajendra Prasad assumed the role [3]. Therefore, in 1947, the appointment power rested solely with the Governor-General as the representative of the Crown.
Sources
- [1] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 1: Historical Background > The features of this Act were as follows: > p. 9
- [2] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 1: Historical Background > The features of this Act were as follows: > p. 9
- [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Nehru_ministry