Partition of India million became homeless. However, many argue that the British were forced to expedite the Partition by events on the ground. Once in office, Mountbatten quickly became aware that if Britain were to avoid involvement in a civil war, which seemed increasingly likely, there was no alternative to partition and a hasty exit from India. Law and order had broken down many times before Partition, with much bloodshed on both sides. A massive civil war was looming by the time Mountbatten became Viceroy. After the Second World War, Britain had limited resources, perhaps insufficient to the task of keeping order. Another
RMS Viceroy of India to P&O on 7 March 1929 and made her maiden voyage on the Indian mail route. "Viceroy of India" was also suited for leisure cruises, which she made every year until the outbreak of World War II in September 1939. On 9 August 1929, she collided with the tug at Venice, Italy; "Olanda" was beached after the collision. On 23 November 1929 "Viceroy of India" rescued 25 crew members from the Italian cargo steamer which sank in the eastern Mediterranean off the coast of Egypt. In February 1930 "Viceroy of India" was bethed in Bombay when the British India Line