 The Dominion of India became an independent country as official ceremonies took place in New Delhi . Nehru assumed office as the first prime minister , and the viceroy , Lord Mountbatten , continued as its first governor general . Gandhi 's name was invoked by crowds celebrating the occasion ; Gandhi himself however took no part in the official events . Instead , he marked the day with a 24 @-@ hour fast , during which he spoke to a crowd in Calcutta , encouraging peace between Hindu and Muslim . 
 The Dominion of India became an independent country as official ceremonies took place in New Delhi . Nehru assumed office as the first prime minister , and the viceroy , Lord Mountbatten , continued as its first governor general . Gandhi <a href='null_genetive' title='1'><mark>'s</mark></a>name was invoked by crowds celebrating the occasion ; Gandhi himself however took no part in the official events . Instead , he marked the day with a 24 @-@ hour fast , during which he spoke to a crowd in Calcutta , encouraging peace between Hindu and Muslim . 
Da Dominion of India became an independent country as official ceremonies took place in New Delhi . Nehru assumed office as the first prime minister , and tdaviceroy , Lord Mountbatten , continued as its first governor general . Gandhi  name was invoked by crowds celebrating the occasion ; Gandhi hisself however took no part in thdafficial events . Instead , he marked the day wid a 24 @-@ hr fast , durin which he spoke to a crowd in Calcutta , encouraging peace between Hindu and Muslim .