In the final years of British rule in India, two distinct strands of national upsurge emerged:

1. Negotiations and Communal Violence: One strand involved tortuous negotiations between the British government, the Indian National Congress, and the Muslim League. These negotiations were accompanied by increasing communal violence, particularly between Hindus and Muslims, and eventually led to India's independence and the partition of the country into India and Pakistan. The communal tensions and violence that accompanied this strand of the national upsurge left a lasting impact on the subcontinent, shaping its political landscape for decades to come.
2. Mass Action by Workers, Peasants, and States' Peoples: The second strand consisted of sporadic, localized, and often extremely militant mass actions by workers, peasants, and various state populations. This mass action took various forms, including countrywide strikes, peasant revolts, and people's struggles in different regions of India. Some notable examples of this mass action include the Indian National Army (INA) Release Movement, the Royal Indian Navy (RIN) revolt, the Tebhaga movement, the Worli revolt, the Punjab Kisan Morchas, the Punnapra-Vayalar episode in Travancore, and the Telangana peasant revolt.

These movements reflected the growing discontent and aspirations of the Indian people for self-rule and independence. They demonstrated the widespread desire for social, economic, and political change, as well as the willingness of ordinary people to take bold and militant action to achieve their goals. Despite the challenges and complexities involved, both strands of the national upsurge played crucial roles in the eventual attainment of independence for India.

The change in the British government's attitude towards India was influenced by several key factors:

1. Shift in Global Power Balance: The end of World War II marked a significant shift in the global power balance. The United Kingdom, once a major world power, was weakened, while the United States and the Soviet Union emerged as superpowers. Both the US and the USSR favored India's independence, contributing to a favorable international environment for Indian demands.
2. Sympathetic Labour Government: The new Labour Party government in Britain, led by Prime Minister Clement Attlee, was more sympathetic to Indian aspirations for self-rule compared to previous administrations. This change in leadership played a crucial role in altering Britain's approach towards India.
3. Rise of Socialist-Radical Governments in Europe: The wave of socialist and radical governments across Europe influenced British politics and policies. These governments were generally more supportive of decolonization efforts and self-determination for colonial territories.
4. British War Weariness and Economic Challenges: British soldiers were weary and exhausted after years of war, and the British economy lay shattered. The financial strain of the war, compounded by debts owed to India and other factors, contributed to a reevaluation of Britain's imperial policies.
5. Anti-Imperialist Sentiments in Southeast Asia: In Southeast Asia, movements resisting colonial rule were gaining momentum, particularly in Vietnam and Indonesia. The British were wary of exacerbating anti-imperialist sentiments in the region and sought to address nationalist aspirations in India as part of broader geopolitical considerations.
6. Fear of Congress Revolt: British officials feared a resurgence of the 1942 Quit India Movement, which could potentially escalate into a more widespread and dangerous revolt. They were concerned about possible attacks on communication networks, agrarian revolts, labor unrest, and disaffection within the military and bureaucracy.
7. Inevitability of Elections: With the end of the war, holding elections became inevitable. The last elections had been held in 1934 for the central government and in 1937 for the provinces. The British government recognized the need to address political representation and governance issues in India through democratic means.

Overall, these factors combined to compel the British government to reassess its stance on India and take steps towards granting independence. While the Labour government hastened the process, the broader geopolitical and internal dynamics played a significant role in shaping Britain's policies towards India.