The Cabinet Mission of 1946, which came to India to discuss and plan the transfer of power and the framing of a constitution, was led by which British statesman?

Introduction / Context:
As the Second World War ended, the British government recognised that it had to negotiate the transfer of power to Indian hands. For this purpose the Cabinet Mission of 1946 was sent to India. It played a crucial role in the final constitutional discussions before independence. Knowing who led this mission helps students connect personalities with major constitutional events in the last phase of British rule in India.

Given Data / Assumptions:
The question mentions the Cabinet Mission of 1946 and asks about its leader. The options include several high profile British figures associated with India, such as Linlithgow, Mountbatten, Pethick Lawrence, Stafford Cripps, and Wavell. We assume that the learner knows that the Cabinet Mission was a three member mission representing the British Cabinet and that one of these members was formally the leader. The year 1946 is an important hint that distinguishes this mission from earlier offers such as the Cripps Mission.

Concept / Approach:
The Cabinet Mission consisted of three members: Lord Pethick Lawrence, Sir Stafford Cripps, and A V Alexander. Among them, Lord Pethick Lawrence, the Secretary of State for India, was the formal leader. Lord Mountbatten came later as Viceroy and supervised the final plan for partition and independence. Linlithgow and Wavell were earlier viceroys and are not associated with the leadership of this mission. Stafford Cripps was a member but not the head. Therefore the correct answer must be Sir Pethick Lawrence.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Cabinet Mission arrived in India in March 1946 to propose a constitutional framework. Step 2: Remember the three names attached to this mission: Pethick Lawrence, Stafford Cripps, and A V Alexander. Step 3: Identify which of these was the Secretary of State for India and thus the formal leader, which is Lord Pethick Lawrence. Step 4: Compare with other options like Mountbatten, who represented a later phase, and Linlithgow or Wavell, who were viceroys at different times. Step 5: Select Sir Pethick Lawrence as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Most exam oriented books on modern Indian history include a short table on important missions and their leaders. For 1946 they consistently mention The Cabinet Mission headed by Lord Pethick Lawrence. The same sources separately identify the Cripps Mission of 1942 led by Stafford Cripps and the later Mountbatten Plan of 1947. This clear distinction among personalities and dates is a strong cross check that confirms the answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Lord Linlithgow is wrong because he was Viceroy of India during much of the Second World War, not the leader of the Cabinet Mission. Lord Mountbatten is incorrect as he came later as the last Viceroy and supervised the final transfer of power, but he did not lead the 1946 mission. Sir Stafford Cripps is also wrong here because he headed the 1942 Cripps Mission, which was a different initiative. Lord Wavell was Viceroy when the Cabinet Mission arrived but was not its leader.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to confuse the Cripps Mission and the Cabinet Mission due to the presence of Stafford Cripps in both discussions of constitutional reform. Another pitfall is to pick Mountbatten because students associate his name strongly with independence. To avoid this, learners should memorise a simple mapping: Cripps Mission 1942 led by Stafford Cripps, Cabinet Mission 1946 led by Pethick Lawrence, and Mountbatten Plan 1947 led by Lord Mountbatten in his role as Viceroy.

Final Answer:
The Cabinet Mission of 1946 was led by Sir Pethick Lawrence.