Partition of India in the United Provinces (where Muslims were attacked by Hindus), and on to Rawalpindi in March 1947 in which Hindus were attacked or driven out by Muslims. The British Prime Minister Attlee appointed Lord Louis Mountbatten as India's last viceroy, who was given the task to oversee British India's independence by June 1948, with the instruction to "avoid" partition and "preserve" a United India, but with adaptational authority to ensure a British withdrawal with minimal setbacks. Mountbatten hoped to revive the Cabinet Mission scheme for a federal arrangement for India. But despite his initial keenness for preserving the center the
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