World War II breaks out and political dead lock in India
2 January – The Muslim League at Patna disapproves the Federation scheme which has already been disapproved by Congress.[1]
29 January – Subhas Chandra Bose is reelected president of Congress at Bombay (a victory for opponents of Federation).[2]
22 February – Thirteen right-wing members of the working committee, including Pandit Nehru, resign from Congress.[3]
3 March – In Bombay, Mohandas Gandhi begins to fast in protest of the autocratic rule in India.
12 March – Congress at Tripuri passes a resolution of adherence to the party of Gandhi.[4]
29 April – S. C. Bose resigns as president of Congress and is succeeded by Rajendra Prasad.[5]
1 May – New Congress working committee announced.[6]
3 May – S. C. Bose announces the formation of a new left bloc under his leadership.[7]
8–14 September – Congress debates its attitude to the war; Gandhi calls upon the British to implement their declarations of faith in democracy.[8]
18 September – The Muslim League declares that the Federal scheme, now suspended, should be altogether abandoned.[9]
17 October – The Viceroy states the Allied objectives in the war and announces that at the end of the war the Government would consult the several communities, parties and interests in India.[10]
27–31 October – Congress working committee resolved that the Viceroy's statement was wholly unsatisfactory and asked for a statement of war aims; the ministries of Bombay, Madras and Bihar resign.[11]
3 November – Resignation of the ministry of the United Provinces.[12]
5 November – Resignation of the ministry of Orissa; the Viceroy announces that the parties having met have failed to agree.[13]
9 November – Resignation of the ministry of Central Provinces.[14]
23 November – At Allahabad the Congress working committee reaffirms its demand for "recognition of India's independence".[15]
2 December - Jinnah's call for observing 22nd as Day of Deliverance in favour of resignation and end of congress ministries in provinces.
27 December – The first contingent of Indian troops reaches France.[16]
Law
28 February – The budget is presented to the Legislative Assembly in which the duty on raw cotton is doubled.[17]
13 March – The Chamber of Princes approves its own reorganization.[18]
20 March – A new trade agreement with the UK till 31 March 1942 is signed after two years of negotiations.[19]
15 April – The new tariff bill is rejected by the Central Legislature.[20]
18 April – The Council of State passes the new tariff bill a second time.[21]
Registration Of Foreigners Act
Portuguese Code of Civil Procedure
Commercial Documents Evidence Act
Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act
Limitation Act
Births
11 March – Bani Basu, author, essayist, critic and poet.
19 May – Balu Mahendra, film director and cinematographer (d. 2014).
