Partition of India potential for increased violence, the new viceroy, Louis Mountbatten, advanced the date for the transfer of power, allowing less than six months for a mutually agreed plan for independence. In June 1947, the nationalist leaders, including Nehru and Abul Kalam Azad on behalf of the Congress, Jinnah representing the Muslim League, B. R. Ambedkar representing the Untouchable community, and Master Tara Singh representing the Sikhs, agreed to a partition of the country along religious lines in stark opposition to Gandhi's views. The predominantly Hindu and Sikh areas were assigned to the new India and predominantly Muslim areas to the new
RMS Viceroy of India out at Shieldhall Wharf, Glasgow, began on 8 January 1929. "Viceroy of India" was finished in P&O's traditional colours: her hull black with a white band, her boot topping red, her upper works and lifeboats buff, her large vents black, her small vents buff and her two funnels black. During fitting out she was damaged amidships by Donaldson South American Line's cargo ship , which was trying to dock in poor visibility. However, by 17 February "Viceroy of India" was ready for sea trials, on which she averaged . She was completed in March 1929. "Viceroy of India" was Britain's