Using standard Gregorian calendar rules, what was the day of the week on 16 August 1947, the day after India gained independence?

Introduction:
Finding the day of the week for a distant historical date is a classic calendar aptitude problem. Here, we need to determine the weekday for 16 August 1947, an important date in Indian history immediately following Independence Day on 15 August 1947.

Given Data / Assumptions:
Target date: 16 August 1947. We work under the standard Gregorian calendar (which is what aptitude exams usually assume). We must identify the correct day of the week among the options.

Concept / Approach:
There are several methods to determine the day of the week: counting from a known reference date, using codes (like Zeller's congruence or doomsday rules), or using known historical facts. For 1947, it is well known that 15 August 1947, the day of India's independence, was a Friday. Adding one day gives the weekday for 16 August 1947.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the known weekday for 15 August 1947. Standard historical and calendar references state that 15 August 1947 was a Friday. Step 2: Move ahead one day to get 16 August. The sequence of days goes: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and so on. The day immediately after Friday is Saturday. Therefore, 16 August 1947 was a Saturday.

Verification / Alternative check:
If you apply a formal algorithm such as Zeller's congruence or a doomsday method directly to the date 16 August 1947, you will also obtain Saturday. Both the algorithmic approach and the historical reference match, giving strong confirmation of the answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Sunday or Monday: These would require 16 August 1947 to be one or two days after Saturday, which contradicts the known Friday date for 15 August 1947. Thursday or Tuesday: These place the day either before or incorrectly far from Friday and do not align with the correct chronological sequence.

Common Pitfalls:
One common mistake is misremembering the weekday for 15 August 1947. Another issue is skipping or adding an extra day when counting from Friday to the target date. Careful tracking of day-by-day progression avoids these errors.

Final Answer:
On 16 August 1947, the day of the week was Saturday.