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Quit India Movement - 1942 (Modern Indian History NCERT Notes)

Mumbai’s Gowalia Tank Maidan also known as August Kranti Maidan is the place where the quit India movement was launched by Mahatma Gandhi. He along with other leaders gathered here on August 8 and 9, 1942.

The outcome of the movement was that Congress was declared an unlawful association and its offices all over the country were raided. The leaders were arrested and there rose a chaotic moment with this incident.

 This article gives you the Quit India Movement summary, factors responsible for Quit India Movement and other notes relevant for UPSC and other government exams .

Candidates can also download Quit India Movement notes PDF from the link provided below.

Quit India Movement (UPSC Notes):- Download PDF Here

Aspirants can also read important topics related to Indian Freedom Struggle linked below:

Quit India Movement Facts for UPSC

• Also known as the India August Movement or August Kranti.
• It was officially launched by the Indian National Congress (INC) led by Mahatma Gandhi on 8 August 1942. (knowindia.gov.in mentions August 1942 as Quit India Movement month/year.)
• The movement gave the slogans ‘Quit India’ or ‘Bharat Chodo’. Gandhi gave the slogan to the people – ‘Do or die’.
• In line with the Congress ideology, it was supposed to be a peaceful non-violent movement aimed at urging the British to grant India independence.
• The Quit India Resolution was passed by the Congress Working Committee on 8 August 1942 in Bombay. Gandhi was named the movement’s leader.
• An immediate end to British rule over India.
• Declaration of the commitment of free India to defend itself against all kinds of imperialism and fascism.
• Formation of a provisional government of India after British withdrawal.
• Sanctioning a civil disobedience movement against British rule.
• Government servants : do not resign your job but proclaim loyalty to the INC.
• Soldiers : be with the army but refrain from firing on compatriots.
• Peasants: pay the agreed-upon rent if the landlords/Zamindars are anti-government; if they are pro-government, do not pay the rent.
• Students: can leave studies if they are confident enough.
• Princes: support the people and accept the sovereignty of them.
• People of the princely states: support the ruler only if he is anti-government; declare themselves as part of the Indian nation.

Causes of Quit India Movement – Why was it launched?

• The Second World War had started in 1939 and Japan, which was part of the Axis Powers that were opposed to the British in the war were gaining onto the north-eastern frontiers of India.
• The British had abandoned their territories in South-East Asia and had left their population in the lurch. This act did not garner much faith among the Indian population who had doubts about the British ability to defend India against Axis aggression.
• Gandhi also believed that if the British left India, Japan would not have enough reason to invade India.
• Apart from hearing news about British setbacks in the war, the war-time difficulties such as high prices of essential commodities fostered resentment against the British government.
• The failure of the Cripps Mission to guarantee any kind of a constitutional remedy to India’s problems also led to the INC calling for a mass civil disobedience movement.

Read about the allied, axis and central powers from below:

•   Difference Between Axis and Allied Powers 
• Difference Between Axis and Central Powers

Response to Quit India Movement

• The British government responded to the call of Gandhi by arresting all major Congress leaders the very next day. Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, etc. were all arrested. This left the movement in the hands of the younger leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan and Ram Manohar Lohia. New leaders like Aruna Asaf Ali emerged out of the vacuum of leadership.
• Over 100000 people were arrested in connection with this movement. The government resorted to violence in order to quell the agitation. They were mass floggings and lathi charges. Even women and children were not spared. About 10000 people died in police firing in total.
• There was no communal violence.
• The INC was banned. Its leaders were jailed for almost the whole of the war. Gandhi was released on health grounds in 1944.
• The people responded to Gandhi’s call in a major way. However, in the absence of leadership, there were stray incidences of violence and damage to government property. Many buildings were set on fire, electricity lines were cut and communication and transport lines were broken.
• Some parties did not support the movement. There was opposition from the Muslim League , the Communist Party of India (the government revoked the ban on the party then) and the Hindu Mahasabha.
• The League was not in favour of the British leaving India without partitioning the country first. In fact, Jinnah asked more Muslims to enlist in the army to fight the war.
• The Communist party supported the war waged by the British since they were allied with the Soviet Union.
• Subhas Chandra Bose, was by this time, organizing the Indian National Army and the Azad Hind government from outside the country.
• C Rajagopalachari, resigned from the INC since he was not in favour of complete independence.
• In general, the Indian bureaucracy did not support the Quit India Movement.
• There were strikes and demonstrations all over the country. Despite the communist group’s lack of support to the movement, workers provided support by not working in the factories.
• In some places, parallel governments were also set up. Example: Ballia, Tamluk, Satara.
• The chief areas of the movement were UP Bihar, Maharashtra, Midnapore, and Karnataka. The movement lasted till 1944.

Importance of Quit India Movement – Significance/What it achieved?

• Despite heavy-handed suppression by the government, the people were unfazed and continued their struggle.
• Even though the government said that independence could be granted only after the end of the war, the movement drove home the point that India could not be governed without the support of the Indians.
• The movement placed the demand for complete independence at the top agenda of the freedom movement.
• Public morale and anti-British sentiment were enhanced.

Also, read other related Modern Indian History articles:

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Ten ‘Quit India’

• Published: October 2004
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The Quit India resolution, passed by the All India Congress Committee on 8 August 1942, called for the immediate end to British rule in India. This chapter discusses the imprisonment of Mahatma Gandhi and the entire Congress Working Committee for two years and highlights the challenges faced by him during this period. Gandhi clarified that their non-violent rebellion was not a programme of seizure of power. The chapter talks of his rejection of the claim that it was sabotage and underground activity that had strengthened the national cause or brought freedom to India.

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Explained: Recalling ‘Quit India’, when ordinary Indians took to the streets with a vow to ‘Do or Die’

On august 9, 1942, the biggest mass movement of the indian freedom struggle was launched. the british launched a brutal crackdown, but the message was clear: they would have to leave india, nothing less was acceptable.

On this day 80 years ago — on August 9, 1942 — the people of India launched the decisive final phase of the struggle for independence. It was a mass upsurge against colonial rule on a scale not seen earlier, and it sent out the unmistakable message that the sun was about to set on the British Empire in India.

Mahatma Gandhi, who had told the Raj to “Quit India” on the previous day (August 8) was already in jail along with the entire Congress leadership, so when August 9 dawned, the people were on their own — out on the street, driven by the Mahatma’s call of “Do or Die” .

This truly people-led movement was eventually crushed violently by the British, but by then it was clear that nothing short of their final departure was acceptable to India’s masses.

Build-up to August 1942

While factors leading to such a movement had been building up, matters came to a head with the failure of the Cripps Mission.

With World War II raging, the beleaguered British government needed the cooperation of its colonial subjects. With this in mind, in March 1942, a mission led by Sir Stafford Cripps arrived in India to meet leaders of the Congress and the Muslim League. The idea was to secure India’s whole-hearted support in the war, and the return offer to Indians was the promise of self-governance.

But things did not go that way. Despite the promise of “the earliest possible realisation of self-government in India”, Cripps only offered dominion status, not freedom. Also, there was a provision for the partition of India, which was not acceptable to the Congress.

The failure of the Cripps Mission made Gandhi realise that freedom would come only if Indians fought tooth and nail for it. The Congress was initially reluctant to launch a movement that could hamper Britain’s efforts to defeat the fascist forces. But it eventually decided on mass civil disobedience. At the Working Committee meeting in Wardha in July 1942, it was decided the time had come for the movement to move into an active phase.

Gandhi’s address: Do or Die

On August 8, 1942, Gandhi addressed the people in the Gowalia Tank maidan in Bombay ( Mumbai ). “Here is a mantra, a short one, that I give you. Imprint it on your hearts, so that in every breath you give expression to it,” he said.

“The mantra is: ‘Do or Die’. We shall either free India or die trying; we shall not live to see the perpetuation of our slavery,” Gandhi said. Aruna Asaf Ali hoisted the Tricolour on the ground. The Quit India movement had been officially announced.

The government cracked down immediately, and by August 9, Gandhi and all other senior Congress leaders had been jailed. Gandhi was taken to the Aga Khan Palace in Poona ( Pune ), and later to Yerwada jail. It was during this time that Kasturba Gandhi died at the Aga Khan Palace.

The people vs the Raj

The arrest of their leaders failed to deter the masses. With no one to give directions, people took the movement into their own hands.

In Bombay, Poona, and Ahmedabad , hundreds of thousands of ordinary Indians clashed with the police. The following day (August 10), protests erupted in Delhi , UP, and Bihar. There were strikes, demonstrations and people’s marches in defiance of prohibitory orders in Kanpur, Patna, Varanasi, and Allahabad.

The protests spread rapidly into smaller towns and villages. Till mid-September, police stations, courts, post offices, and other symbols of government authority came under repeated attack. Railway tracks were blocked, students went on strike in schools and colleges across India, and distributed illegal nationalist literature. Mill and factory workers in Bombay, Ahmedabad, Poona, Ahmednagar, and Jamshedpur stayed away for weeks.

In some places, the protests were violent. Bridges were blown up, telegraph wires were cut, and railway lines were taken apart. On the 25th anniversary of the Quit India Movement, the socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia wrote: “9th August was and will remain a people’s event. 15th August was a state event… 9th August 1942 expressed the will of the people — we want to be free, and we shall be free. For the first time after a long period in our history, crores of people expressed their desire to be free…”

The slogan ‘Quit India’

While Gandhi gave the clarion call of Quit India, the slogan was coined by Yusuf Meherally, a socialist and trade unionist who also served as Mayor of Bombay. A few years ago, in 1928, it was Meherally who had coined the slogan “Simon Go Back”.

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Brutal suppression of protests

The Quit India movement was violently suppressed by the British — people were shot and lathicharged, villages were burnt, and backbreaking fines were imposed. In the five months up to December 1942, an estimated 60,000 people had been thrown into jail.

However, though the movement was quelled, it changed the character of the Indian freedom struggle, with the masses rising up to demand with a passion and intensity like never before: that the British masters would have to Quit India.

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Quit India Movement (1942) – UPSC Modern History Notes

The Quit India Movement, also known as the August Movement or August Kranti, was a pivotal moment in India’s struggle for independence. It was a call to action issued by Mahatma Gandhi during the Bombay session of the All-India Congress Committee on August 8, 1942, in Mumbai.

As part of Mahatma Gandhi’s Civil Disobedience Movement, the Quit India Movement aimed to bring an end to British colonial rule in India. Gandhi called upon the Indian people to engage in mass civil disobedience, nonviolent protests, and acts of resistance to demand the British “Quit India” and transfer power to the Indian population.

The movement garnered widespread support from all sections of Indian society and became a significant phase in India’s struggle for independence. However, it also faced harsh repression from the British authorities, leading to mass arrests, violence, and curfews. Despite the challenges and suppression, the Quit India Movement demonstrated the united spirit of the Indian people and their unyielding commitment to achieving freedom and self-governance.

The movement significantly influenced India’s journey towards independence and played a crucial role in the eventual transfer of power to India in 1947. The Quit India Movement remains an essential chapter in India’s history, representing the collective will and determination of its people to break free from colonial rule and establish a sovereign nation.

The Quit India Movement, also known as the August Movement or August Kranti, had its background as follows:

• Cripps Mission’s Failure: After the failure of the Cripps Mission to gain Indian support for the war effort and address the demands for independence, the Indian National Congress was left disappointed and frustrated.
• Drafting the ‘Quit India’ Resolution: Following Stafford Cripps’ departure, Mahatma Gandhi drafted a resolution calling for the complete withdrawal of the British from India in the event of a Japanese invasion. The resolution also proposed a nonviolent non-cooperation movement as a means to achieve independence.
• Acceptance of the Idea of Struggle: The idea of launching a mass nonviolent movement was accepted during the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting held in Wardha on July 14, 1942. The CWC decided to give Gandhi the leadership of this movement.
• Approval at All India Congress Committee Meeting: The ‘Quit India’ resolution was presented for approval at the All India Congress Committee meeting in Bombay in August. Jawaharlal Nehru proposed the resolution, and Sardar Patel seconded it.
• Launch of the Movement: Mahatma Gandhi commenced the Quit India movement on August 8, 1942, at the Gowalia Tank Maidan (August Kranti Maidan) in Mumbai. He delivered his iconic “Do or die” speech, urging the people to engage in a peaceful and nonviolent struggle to gain independence.
• Slogans and Objectives: The movement was characterized by the slogans “Quit India” and “Bharat Chodo” (Quit India in Hindi). The primary objective was to persuade the British to grant India independence based on the principles of peaceful non-cooperation advocated by the Congress.
• Peaceful Nonviolent Movement: The Quit India Movement was envisioned as a nonviolent mass movement, guided by Gandhian principles of nonviolence and civil disobedience. The Congress doctrine emphasized the use of nonviolent means to achieve political and social change.
• The Quit India Movement marked a critical phase in India’s struggle for independence, demonstrating the united spirit and determination of the Indian people to secure self-rule and end British colonial rule in the country. It remains a significant milestone in India’s history, inspiring subsequent generations in their quest for freedom and self-determination.

The resolution of the Quit India Movement, ratified on August 8, 1942, at the Congress meeting in Gowalia Tank, Bombay, included the following key points:

• Immediate End to British Rule: The Quit India Resolution demanded the immediate end of British colonial rule in India. It called for the British to “Quit India” and transfer power to the Indian people.
• Commitment to Defend Free India: The resolution declared that a free India would be committed to defending itself against all forms of Fascism and imperialism. It emphasized India’s determination to protect its sovereignty and independence.
• Provisional Government of India: The resolution proposed the formation of a provisional Government of India following the withdrawal of the British. This provisional government would be tasked with governing the country until a permanent government could be established.
• Civil Disobedience Movement: The Quit India Resolution sanctioned a civil disobedience movement against British rule. It called on the Indian people to engage in nonviolent resistance and mass civil disobedience as a means to press for their demand for independence.
• The Quit India Movement marked a turning point in India’s struggle for freedom, with the resolution outlining the core objectives and strategies to achieve independence. The movement witnessed widespread participation and a strong display of unity among the Indian population in their quest for self-rule. Despite facing severe repression and arrests by the British authorities, the Quit India Movement strengthened India’s resolve for independence and significantly contributed to the eventual transfer of power from British rule to Indian hands in 1947. The movement remains a symbol of India’s unwavering commitment to nonviolent resistance and the pursuit of freedom and sovereignty.

During the Quit India Movement, Mahatma Gandhi provided specific instructions to different groups of people to participate in the nonviolent civil disobedience movement. These instructions were designed to mobilize diverse sections of society in their quest for independence and to assert their support for the Indian National Congress (INC) and the movement’s objectives. The instructions were as follows:

• Government Employees: Gandhi urged government employees not to resign from their positions but to pledge their allegiance to the Indian National Congress. By remaining in their posts and supporting the INC, they could contribute to the movement from within the government machinery.
• Soldiers: Gandhi advised soldiers not to use violence against their fellow countrymen, even if they were ordered to do so by their superiors. Instead, he urged them to remain with the army but to refrain from firing on their comrades in the civil disobedience movement.
• Landlords/Zamindars: For landlords or zamindars who were against the government, Gandhi recommended that they accept the agreed-upon rent from their tenants. However, for those who supported the government, he advised the tenants not to pay the rent as a form of protest.
• Students: Gandhi offered students the choice to participate in the movement based on their confidence and conviction. If they felt strongly about the cause, he encouraged them to leave their studies and join the civil disobedience movement.
• Princes: Gandhi called upon the princely rulers to align themselves with the aspirations of the Indian people and embrace the idea of a sovereign India. He urged them to stand behind the people’s demands for independence and self-rule.
• People of Princely States: For the residents of princely states, Gandhi advised them to support their rulers only if the rulers were anti-government. However, if the rulers aligned with the British government, Gandhi recommended that the people declare themselves as Indian citizens and express their loyalty to the broader movement for independence.
• These instructions were part of Gandhi’s strategy to engage various segments of society in a united and nonviolent protest against British rule. By providing tailored guidance to different groups, he aimed to harness the collective strength and participation of the Indian population in the Quit India Movement.

The Quit India Movement, also known as the August Movement or August Kranti, emerged due to several significant reasons and events that fueled discontent and frustration among the Indian population. The main reasons for the Quit India Movement were as follows:

• Impact of World War II: The outbreak of World War II in 1939 significantly influenced the Indian political landscape. India, as a colony of the British Empire, was dragged into the war without its consent, and the burden of the war effort fell heavily on the Indian people.
• Japanese Threat in Northeastern Frontiers: Japan, as one of the Axis Powers opposing the British in the war, was gaining ground on India’s northeastern frontiers. The fear of a potential Japanese invasion added to the sense of insecurity among the Indian public.
• British Abandonment of Southeast Asian Colonies: The British decision to abandon their colonies in Southeast Asia during the war, leaving their people to fend for themselves, created doubts about the British ability to defend India effectively.
• Gandhi’s Belief in Nonviolent Defense: Mahatma Gandhi believed that if the British left India peacefully, Japan would have no reason to invade the country. He saw the Quit India Movement as a means to press for a peaceful British withdrawal.
• Public Animosity towards British Government: The Indian public’s animosity towards the British government grew due to reports of British military defeats in the war and the resulting hardships, including high prices for essential goods.
• Failure of Cripps Mission: The Cripps Mission, which aimed to gain Indian support for the war effort, failed to provide a satisfactory constitutional solution to India’s challenges and demands for independence. This failure further fueled the discontent and frustration among Indian nationalists.
• In response to these factors, the Indian National Congress called for a major civil disobedience movement, the Quit India Movement, in August 1942. The movement sought to demand the immediate end of British colonial rule in India and bring about self-rule and independence through nonviolent mass protests and civil disobedience. Despite facing severe repression and arrests by the British authorities, the Quit India Movement demonstrated the united and determined spirit of the Indian people in their pursuit of freedom and sovereignty. It remains a significant chapter in India’s struggle for independence and a testament to the power of nonviolent resistance in shaping the course of history.

The Quit India Movement can be divided into three distinct phases, each marked by different types of activities and strategies employed by the participants:

Table of Contents

The First Phase (Rampage by Public):

• In this phase, the general public engaged in acts of defiance against British authority symbols.
• Public buildings were targeted, and national flags were forcibly hoisted on them as a symbol of defiance.
• Satyagrahis willingly surrendered to arrest as a form of protest.
• Acts of sabotage were carried out, such as blowing up bridges, removing railway tracks, and severing telegraph lines.
• The eastern United Provinces and Bihar were the regions where such activities were most prevalent.
• Students participated by going on strikes in schools and colleges, organizing processions, writing and distributing illegal news sheets (Patrika), and serving as couriers for underground networks.
• Workers in cities like Ahmedabad, Bombay, Jamshedpur, Ahmednagar, and Poona went on strike to support the movement.

The Second Phase (Underground Activities):

• In this phase, many nationalists went underground and engaged in subversive activities against British rule.
• Various groups and individuals, including socialists, members of the Forward Bloc, Gandhi ashramites, revolutionary nationalists, and local organizations from different regions, participated in underground activities.
• Key figures involved in underground activity included Rammanohar Lohia, Jayaprakash Narayan, Aruna Asaf Ali, Usha Mehta, Biju Patnaik, Chhotubhai Puranik, Achyut Patwardhan, Sucheta Kripalani, and R.P. Goenka.
• Usha Mehta founded an underground radio station in Bombay to maintain communication and morale.
• The focus of this phase was to maintain a line of command, distribute arms and ammunition, and provide guidance to the participants.

The Third Phase (Parallel Governments):

• In this phase, parallel governments were established in certain regions as a form of defiance against British rule.
• Notable instances of parallel governments were seen in places like Ballia, Tamluk (Midnapore), and Satara.
• These parallel governments aimed to carry out administrative functions, provide relief, and organize various campaigns at the local level.
• Leaders like Chittu Pandey, Y.B. Chavan, Nana Patil, and others played crucial roles in establishing and running these parallel governments.
• Various sections of society, including businessmen, students, villagers, pilots, train drivers, and even government officials, provided active assistance to the movement by offering donations, shelter, and material assistance, passing on secret information to activists, and supporting various campaigns.
• These three phases of the Quit India Movement highlight the diverse and persistent efforts made by the Indian people to challenge British rule and assert their demand for independence through different forms of protest, underground activities, and the establishment of parallel governance structures. The movement remains a significant chapter in India’s struggle for freedom and independence.

The Quit India Movement had a profound impact on India’s struggle for independence and the course of the freedom movement. Here are some of the key impacts of the Quit India Movement:

• Arrest and Detention of Congress Leaders: Following Mahatma Gandhi’s demand, the British administration arrested all prominent Congress leaders, including Gandhi, Nehru, and Patel, which led to a leadership vacuum in the movement. Newer leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan and Ram Manohar Lohia stepped up to take over the movement.
• The Emergence of New Leaders: With the arrest of senior leaders, newer leaders like Aruna Asaf Ali emerged and played significant roles in leading the movement and maintaining its momentum.
• Mass Detentions and Violence: The British authorities responded to the movement with mass detentions and violent repression. Almost 100,000 people were detained, and violence, including mass floggings and lathi charges, was used to suppress the unrest.
• Declaring INC Illegal: The Indian National Congress (INC) was declared illegal, and its leaders were imprisoned for most of the war. Gandhi was released in 1944 due to ill health.
• Support and Opposition: The movement received widespread support from the Indian public, leading to strikes, demonstrations, and disruptions of government structures and transportation links. However, there were isolated incidents of violence and opposition from parties like the Muslim League, the Communist Party of India, and the Hindu Mahasabha.
• Influence of Subhas Chandra Bose: From outside India, Subhas Chandra Bose organized the Indian National Army and the Azad Hind government, which also played a role in India’s freedom struggle.
• Impact on Indian Bureaucracy: The Indian bureaucracy, in general, opposed the Quit India Movement, causing disruptions in administrative functions during the period of unrest.
• Geographical Focus: The movement’s main focus areas were Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Midnapore, and Karnataka. The uprising continued until 1944, showing its prolonged impact.
• Long-Term Influence: The Quit India Movement significantly boosted the spirit of the Indian people in their quest for independence and demonstrated their unity and resolve in the face of British repression. It further weakened the British hold on India and hastened the process of India’s eventual independence in 1947.
• Overall, the Quit India Movement marked a critical phase in India’s struggle for freedom and played a pivotal role in shaping the events that led to the end of British colonial rule in India. Its legacy continues to inspire the nation’s commitment to democracy, nonviolence, and the pursuit of social justice.

The Quit India Movement holds immense significance in India’s struggle for independence and had a profound impact on the course of the freedom movement. Here are some of the key aspects that highlight the significance of the Quit India Movement:

• Mass Participation: The Quit India Movement saw widespread participation from people from all walks of life, including students, workers, peasants, and various sections of society. This demonstrated the deep-rooted and widespread support for the nationalist cause and showcased the unity and determination of the Indian people in their quest for freedom.
• Leadership from the People: The movement continued despite the absence of prominent leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and others, who were imprisoned when it began. The fact that the movement sustained itself and saw leadership emerging from the masses indicated the maturity and resilience of the Indian public in leading their own struggle for independence.
• Challenging British Authority: The Quit India Movement dealt a significant blow to British authority in India. It showcased that ruling India without the consent and cooperation of the Indian people was no longer feasible for the British. The movement highlighted the extent to which nationalism had progressed and the growing demand for self-rule.
• Spontaneity and Initiative: The movement displayed a level of spontaneity and popular initiative that was higher than before in India’s freedom struggle. While certain guidelines were issued by the Congress leadership, the movement largely gained momentum through the spontaneous actions of the masses, indicating a deep-rooted desire for independence.
• Pressure on the British Empire: The widespread uprising among the Indian masses compelled the British authorities to seriously consider the issue of Indian independence. It changed the nature of political negotiations between India and the British Empire, paving the way for the eventual grant of independence to India in 1947.
• Immediate Agenda for Independence: The Quit India Movement put the demand for complete independence on the immediate agenda of the national movement. It emphasized that there could be no turning back after the movement, and the pursuit of freedom became the central focus of the nationalist struggle.
• Legacy of Nonviolent Resistance: The Quit India Movement further strengthened the legacy of nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience as powerful tools for achieving political objectives. It highlighted the potency of nonviolence in mobilizing the masses and challenging oppressive regimes.
• In summary, the Quit India Movement marked a turning point in India’s struggle for independence. It demonstrated the unwavering determination and unity of the Indian people in their quest for self-rule and played a pivotal role in hastening India’s journey toward becoming an independent nation. The movement’s impact and legacy continue to resonate in India’s history and serve as an inspiration for nonviolent resistance and the pursuit of freedom and democracy.
• The Quit India Movement marked a defining moment in India’s struggle for independence, setting the stage for the future of Indian politics and shaping the nation’s journey towards self-rule. The movement’s significance lies in the fact that it truly belonged to the people – “We the People” – who ardently fought for India’s freedom and sovereignty. The ordinary citizens demonstrated unparalleled heroism and determination, facing the harshest repression from the British authorities and standing firm against adverse circumstances.
• The Quit India Movement showcased the depth of the Indian people’s commitment to the cause of independence. It revealed unity and solidarity among diverse sections of society, with students, workers, peasants, and people from all walks of life actively participating in the struggle. The movement’s sustained momentum, even in the absence of prominent leaders, demonstrated the emergence of a new era where leadership and initiative arose organically from the masses themselves.
• Despite facing severe repression, mass arrests, and violence from the British, the people’s resilience and unwavering spirit in the face of adversity sent a powerful message to the world. The movement highlighted the efficacy of nonviolent resistance as a formidable tool for challenging the colonial rule and shaping the future of nations.
• The Quit India Movement’s impact extended beyond the immediate period of unrest. It paved the way for India’s eventual independence and prompted the British authorities to seriously consider India’s demand for self-rule. The movement left a lasting legacy of people’s empowerment, inspiring future generations to continue the struggle for justice, equality, and democratic values.
• As India gained its independence in 1947, the Quit India Movement’s significance remained embedded in the nation’s collective memory, reminding the people of the sacrifices made and the indomitable spirit of the freedom fighters. It continues to serve as a symbol of courage, unity, and the power of people-led movements in shaping the course of history.
• The Quit India Movement’s enduring impact reverberates through India’s political landscape, as it continues to inspire the pursuit of justice, freedom, and the preservation of democratic principles. As the nation progresses, it remains rooted in the spirit of the Quit India Movement – a testament to the unwavering commitment of “We the People” towards building a just, inclusive, and independent India.

Q: What was the Quit India Movement?

A: The Quit India Movement was a significant civil disobedience movement launched by the Indian National Congress (INC) under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi on August 8, 1942, during World War II.

Q: What were the main objectives of the Quit India Movement?

A: The primary objective of the Quit India Movement was to demand an end to British rule in India. It aimed to achieve complete independence, urging the British to “Quit India.”

Q: What were the major tactics employed during the Quit India Movement?

A: The Quit India Movement employed non-violent tactics such as strikes, demonstrations, and civil disobedience. The movement aimed to paralyze British administration and establish a nationwide uprising against colonial rule.

Q: What were the consequences of the Quit India Movement?

A: The Quit India Movement led to widespread mass arrests of Indian leaders and activists, including Mahatma Gandhi. The British government responded with severe repression, leading to violent clashes between protesters and authorities. However, the movement played a crucial role in mobilizing Indian public opinion against British colonialism.

Q: How did the Quit India Movement contribute to India’s independence?

A: The Quit India Movement galvanized the Indian masses and intensified the demand for independence. It demonstrated the resolve and unity of the Indian people in their struggle against British rule, ultimately contributing significantly to India gaining independence in 1947.

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Quit India Movement was a massive anti-colonial struggle in India, launched on August 8, 1942 , under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, who gave the mantra of “Do or Die” during this Movement. Projected initially as the civil disobedience movement, this ‘third great wave’ of India’s struggle for freedom soon took a violent turn with the aim of ‘fight to the finish’ of the colonial empire. Gandhi, understanding the mood of the nation and the importance of individual liberties, was even prepared for riots and violence caused by the Quit India Movement as he thought it morally correct to defend against the state’s organised violence.

Also known as the “ August Kranti Movement,” Quit India Movement was more a rejection of British rule than a traditional Satyagraha and also influenced the unprecedented and tumultuous events for the next five years in Indian history.

Causes of Quit India Movement

The Quit India Movement was the culmination of years of Indian disillusionment with British rule, with the immediate causes being the failure of Cripps mission , hardships caused during World War II and the Japanese knocking at the doors of Indian borders. Some of the major causes of the Quit India Movement are as follows:

• The Indian people had grown increasingly disillusioned with the British government's failure to fulfil its promises regarding India's self-rule.
• The British, although they gained Indian support in World War II, did not want to transfer the power easily.
• The August offer and Cripps mission failed to satisfy the demands of the nationalists.
• Further, the British support to the demand of Pakistan by the Muslim League was making the Indian nationalists (particularly Gandhi) infuriated.
• By 1942, India's struggle for independence had been ongoing for several decades. The nationalistic sentiments were at its peak, and people grew increasingly impatient with British rule.
• The extent and activities of the people during the Quit India Movement also reflect this sentiment.
• They had participated wholeheartedly in the Individual Satyagraha movements of 1940. Further, along with the Kisan Sabha movements, it had prepared the ground for the final battle against the imperialist forces.
• They already had tasted the sweetness of self-rule through the Congress rule in the period of 1937-39.
• Therefore, now the people wanted to drive out the British from India.
• India's participation in World War II placed significant economic burdens and restrictions on the country.
• The war effort led to rising prices, shortages of essential goods, and increased taxation, causing immense hardships for the Indian population.
• The shortage of supply of essential goods and the export of rice caused large-scale deprivation and death, ultimately resulting in the Bengal Famine of 1943.
• Reverses suffered by the British in Southeast Asia and the advancement of Japanese troops towards the borders of India increased the popular discontent among the people.
• The retreat of the British troops from Burma further enhanced this fear.
• The British attitude towards Indian subjects also exposed the racial discrimination policy of the British.
• Indians thought they were on their own. Thus there was the utmost need of a nationalist government to defend its borders.
• And in this situation, the failure of the Cripps Mission led Gandhi and Congress to launch the final strike against the British.

Launch of the Quit India Movement

Congress Working Committee of the Indian National Congress met at Wardha on July 14, 1942, and decided to launch a mass civil disobedience movement under the leadership of Gandhi.

• Formal launch: The All India Congress Committee met at Gowalia Tank, Bombay, on 8 August 1942 and passed the famous Quit India Resolution. Gandhi sloganed his 'Do or Die' call on the same day.
• Demands: It demanded an end to British rule in India with immediate effect, the formation of a provisional government after the war and the declaration of free India.
• Mahatma Gandhi was imprisoned in Poona.
• Jawaharlal Nehru, Abul Kalam Azad, and other leaders were imprisoned in the Ahmednagar Fort.

Nature of the Quit India Movement

Although the Movement was initially started as a civil disobedience movement, it differed from other movements launched by Gandhi.

• Different from earlier movements:
• The NCM of 1920-22 and the CDM of 1930-34 were conceived as the peaceful resistance to British rule, and the social base expanded slowly to accommodate wider participation of people.
• On the contrary, the Quit India Movement was a massive uprising from the very beginning to compel the British to quit India.
• The British’ attitude towards Indians and their endorsement to Jinnah’s communal polity frustrated Gandhi.
• Knowing the mood of the Indians, especially in the limited but symbolic Individual Satyagrahas, he even believed that the masses could adopt a violent path in self-defence against a well-equipped and strong aggressor. It was reflected in his article in ‘the Harijan’ in March 1942.
• He opined that every individual must consider himself free and should act for himself to attain freedom.
• Thus, he was more concerned for the ends (freedom) than the means (methods). 
• Clear goal and objectives: The 1942 Movement’s goal was less ambiguous in its objectives as it was launched to make the complete withdrawal of the British from India. It has four main features:
• Accommodative of violence against the state,
• Aimed at destroying the British rule involving anybody believing in complete independence instead of trained satyagrahis,
• Students were called to play the major role and should lead the Movement after the arrest of senior Congress leaders and
• Total defiance of government authority.
• Once the main leaders were arrested on 9 August, the Movement took a radical turn, often cited as the most ‘un-Gandhian’ method of the freedom movement. 
• As Gandhi had already sanctioned violence and the role of younger generations, the movement developed at the grassroots level.
• Purpose: The purpose of such underground activities was to maintain popular morale, establish a line of command, provide guidance, and distribute arms and ammunition.
• Key personalities: Rammanohar Lohia, Jayaprakash Narayan, Aruna Asaf Ali, Usha Mehta, Biju Patnaik, Chhotubhai Puranik, Achyut Patwardhan, Sucheta Kripalani, and R.P. Goenka. Usha Mehta established an underground radio station in Bombay.
• Parallel governments: The movement also saw the emergence of parallel governments in certain parts of India.

Spread of the Quit India Movement

Quit India Movement had two phases: themass movement phase (August to September 1942), and the quasi-guerrilla insurgency phase (afterwards). The people started burning and destroying anything that symbolised British authority, such as post offices, police stations, government buildings, Railways and telegraph lines. The scale of participation in Bihar and eastern UP was unparalleled.

Regional Participation in the Quit India Movement

• Students, peasants, and workers were actively involved in the Quit India Movement. The underground activities were strong there, which practically broke the law and order. 
• Severe organisations and dacoit gangs were active, having links with Jayprakash Narayan and other members of the Congress Socialist Party.
• JP Narayan and Rammanohar Lohia formed a parallel government based on the Nepal border till 1944.
• The socialist group Azad Dastas carried out underground activities in Bihar.
• Armed villagers targeted police posts and local courts and engaged in looting.
• There were strikes in Kanpur, Lucknow and Nagpur and violent clashes with striking millworkers in Delhi.
• The Quit India Movement primarily occurred in towns and cities , where protests, acts of sabotage, and damage to essential services took place.
•  In many parts of Bengal, the worker, tribal and peasant movements picked up momentum by linking up with the Quit India movement.
• In districts such as East Khandesh, Satara, Broach, and Surat large numbers of peasants took part in guerrilla-style attacks on government property, lines of communication, and people known to be sympathetic to British rule.
• In Gujarat, a parallel government called the "Azad Government" was established in Ahmedabad, replicating the existing administrative structure.
• Bombay was inspired by inciting underground publications such as the Bombay Provincial Bulletin, Do or Die News-sheet, Free India, War of India Bulletin, Free State of India Gazette and the Congress Gazette.
• South India: K.T. Bhashyam, a Bangalore-based Congress leader who was active in trade unions and organised strikes.

Social Base

• Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh witnessed the unprecedented participation of the students.
• Militant students of Patna and Benares played a significant role in this movement.
• Peasants: The extent of the peasants’ participation was limited as the Quit India Movement was focused more on nationalism than anything else. Still, in Bihar and Eastern UP, they were more active.
• Tribals: In Bengal and Orissa, they participated in the struggle.
• Government officials: Government employees, particularly those from lower ranks of the police and administration, took part, which decreased people's devotion to the government. Some government officials , including police, passed on secret information to the activists.
• Women: Women's participation was remarkable during the Quit India Movement. They actively took part in protests, strikes, and demonstrations and played a significant role in organising and mobilising local communities.

Limitations of the Quit India Movement

While the Quit India Movement played a crucial role in India's struggle for independence, it also had several limitations that affected its overall impact:

• Failed to meet its objectives: The movement did not immediately lead to freedom , and it took more years of struggle and negotiations before independence was achieved.
• Lack of central leadership: The lack of central leadership hindered effective coordination and decision-making, leading to confusion and fragmentation within the movement.
• Muslim League, Communist Party of India, and Hindu Mahasabha were against the Movement.
• Bureaucracy was also against the Movement.
• B. R. Ambedkar and Periyar were also against the Movement.
• Communal divide:
• Muslim participation in the movement was even lower than the CDM. Jinnah appealed to Muslims to join the armed forces.
• Muslim League used this time period to mobilise masses that helped it in the next elections of 1945-46, which strengthened its demand of a separate state, ultimately resulting in the Partition .
• Further, there were some areas of communal violence during the Movement.
• Neglected by historians:
• This is due to the absence of the major political parties and the leaders playing the central role in the Quit India Movement.

Significance of the Quit India Movement

The Quit India Movement was active until 1944 when the British ruthlessly crushed it. Although it failed to oust the British from India, which was its objective, the Movement was a significant phase of India’s quest for self-rule.

• In terms of spirit and enthusiasm, this Movement beat all the other earlier movements.
• NCM was urban-based, and CDM was wider, but the QIM was the most violent and radical, supported mainly by the poor and labour class, the hardest hit by wartime inflation.
• Despite the lack of central leadership, the role played by the younger generations, peasants, tribals, and women was unparalleled.
• The mass participation, especially in some parts of India, was unprecedented.
• It was a movement of the subaltern classes of India with a bottom-up approach from the grassroots level.
• The movement witnessed the central role played by the Congress Socialist Party’s leaders, such as  JP Narayan and Ram Manohar Lohia.
• Further, it also gave birth to some young generation leaders, like Aruna Asaf Ali. 
• The way for independence: Although it did not immediately achieve its goals, it contributed to the weakening of British rule and set the tone for future protests such as during the INA Trials.

PYQs on Quit India Movement

Q)  With reference to 8th August 1942 in Indian history, which one of the following statements is correct? (UPSC Prelims 2021)

a) The Quit India Resolution was adopted by the AICC.

b) The Viceroy’s Executive Council was expanded to include more Indians.

c) The Congress ministries resigned in seven provinces.

d) Cripps proposed an Indian Union with full Dominion status once the Second World War was over.

Answer: (a)

Q)  With reference to Indian freedom struggle, consider the following events: (UPSC Prelims 2017)

• Mutiny in Royal Indian Navy
• Quit India Movement launched
• Second Round Table Conference

What is the correct chronological sequence of the above events?

a) 1 – 2– 3

b) 2 – 1 – 3

c) 3 – 2 – 1

d) 3 – 1 – 2

Answer: (c)

Q)  Quit India Movement was launched in response to (UPSC Prelims 2013)

a) Cabinet Mission Plan

b) Cripps Proposals

c) Simon Commission Report

d) Wavell Plan

Answer: (b)

FAQs on the Quit India Movement

What was the reason for launching the quit india movement.

The failure of the Cripps Mission was the immediate cause of the Quit India movement . The INC did not provide unconditional support to the British during World War II, as the British assumed. Among the Indian masses, the sense of nationalism and self-rule had grown in popularity.

Who launched the Quit India Movement?

On 8 August 1942, at the All-India Congress Committee session in Bombay, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi launched the 'Quit India movement’. The next day, Gandhi, Nehru and many other leaders of the Indian National Congress were arrested by the British Government.

What was the Quit India Movement's slogan?

The slogan of the Quit India Movement was "Do or Die." This slogan reflected the Indian people's determination to achieve independence from British rule at any cost. As a result, the movement is regarded as a pivotal event in India's struggle for independence from oppressive British rule.

Who was known as the Queen of Quit India Movement?

The prominent female leader known as the "Queen of the Quit India Movement" was Aruna Asaf Ali. She played a significant role in the Indian independence movement and was an influential figure during the Quit India Movement of 1942.

What is the role of Rani Gaidinliu in the Quit India Movement?

Rani Gaidinliu established the Naga Raj movement and rallied support from various Naga tribes to resist British control during the Quit India Movement. In 1944, Rani Gaidinliu was arrested by the British authorities and sentenced to life imprisonment for her involvement in the independence movement. She was released in 1947 following India's independence.

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Quit India Movement 1942, Phases, Causes, Impact and Outcomes

Quit India Movement started in year 1942 which was led by Mahatma Gandhi, to get freedom from British Government. Get here Quit India Movement Anniversary 2023 related information.

Table of Contents

The Quit India Movement started on August 8, 1942, also known as the August Kranti Movement, calling for the end of British rule in India at the All India Congress Committee’s session in Bombay.

It is an important topic of the UPSC History Syllabus and an important event of the Indian Freedom Struggle for Independence . UPSC aspirants should know the complete details about Quit India Movements for Prelims and Mains. 

Quit India Movement 

• Quit India Movement is observed annually on August 8, 1942. Quit India Movement Day is a day to remember the sacrifices made by the Indian freedom fighters and people in their fight for independence.
• At the meeting of the All-India Congress Committee in Mumbai, Mahatma Gandhi demanded the end of British rule and launched the Quit India Movement. In his address at the Gowalia Tank Maidan, now referred to as August Kranti Maidan, Mahatma Gandhi urged listeners to “Do or Die”.
• The Indian flag was raised at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Mumbai during the Quit India Movement by Aruna Asaf Ali, also referred to as the “ Grand Old Lady ” of the Independence Movement. Yusuf Meherally, a socialist and trade unionist who served as Mayor of Mumbai, is the author of the phrase “Quit India.”

Quit India Movement Causes

• Failed Cripps mission: Indian leaders reject limited British concessions.
• Dissatisfaction with British rule: Indians suffered from economic exploitation, discrimination and lack of political representation.
• Impact of World War II: Indians opposed the decision of the British to include India in the war without consultation.
• Growing nationalism: Growing nationalist sentiments inspired by leaders like Gandhi and Nehru fueled the demand for independence.
• Pressure from global movements: The success of anti-colonial movements around the world inspired Indian nationalism.
• Gandhi’s leadership: Gandhi’s call for non-violent civil disobedience united Indians against British rule.
• Suppression of civil liberties: British suppression of dissent, including the arrest of leaders, provoked anger and resentment.

Quit India Movement Phases

Quit India Movement Phases are categorised into three phases that are described below in detail. Quit India Movement Day is commemorated every year on 8 August in India.

Quit India Movement of 1942 Impacts

The Quit India Movement of 1942, also known as the August Movement or Bharat Chhodo Andolan, was a civil disobedience movement that was a major turning point in India’s freedom struggle. The movement had many effects, including:

• New leaders: Aruna Asaf Ali became president of the Indian National Congress, and other new leaders emerged, including Ram Manohar Lohia, JP Narayan, and Usha Mehta.
• Political changes: Organizations like the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh, Hindu Mahasabha, and Muslim League gained popularity.
• Arrests: The government arrested nearly 100,000 people, including women and children, and kept them imprisoned until 1945. The government also declared the INC illegal and banned it.
• Complete freedom: India gained complete freedom on August 15, 1947.

Quit India Movement Importance

• The government used harsh repression tactics, but the populace was unmoved and kept up their fight.
• Even though the government claimed that independence could only be granted when the war ended, the movement emphasized that Indians must be involved in governance for it to work.
• The movement prioritized calling for total independence as the main goal of the freedom movement. Public spirit and anti-British feelings were raised.
• Underground activities were carried out by figures who eventually became well-known leaders such as Ram Manohar Lohia, J.P. Narayan, Aruna Asaf Ali, Sucheta Kriplani, and Biju Patnaik.
• Women participated actively in the movement.
• Usha Mehta, among other female activists, contributed to the establishment of an underground radio station, which sparked awareness of the movement.
• The Quit India Movement has strengthened the sense of brotherhood and unity among people.
• Many high school and college kids dropped out, while lots of adults quit their jobs and took money out of the banks.
• The costs of World War II led the British to come to the important conclusion that India was unmanageable in the long run, even though the Quit India movement collapsed in 1944 as a result of their insistence that independence could only take place when the war was over and their refusal to grant it immediately.
• The character of political negotiations with the British was altered, ultimately leading to India’s independence.

Quit India Movement UPSC

The Violence that wasn’t planned happened in certain places during the Quit India movement. The British forcefully put an end to the movement; people were shot, and lathi-charged, villages were set on fire, and huge fines were imposed. To suppress the unrest, the authorities used brutality and detained more than 100,000 individuals.

Many parties and collaborations like the Hindu Mahasabha, the Communist Party of India, and the Muslim League opposed this movement . The movement was also not supported by the Indian bureaucracy. The League opposed the British leaving India without first dividing the nation. Since the British were associated with the Soviet Union, the Communist Party supported them.

The Hindu Mahasabha publicly rejected the Quit India Movement’s appeal and boycotted it out of concern that it would lead to internal unrest and threaten internal security during the war. Subhas Chandra Bose organized the Azad Hind administration and the Indian National Army while operating from outside. Because they opposed Mahatma Gandhi’s concept, many Congress members, including C Rajagopalachari, resigned from the provincial legislature.

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Quit India Movement FAQs

What are the main points of the quit india movement.

An end to British dominion over India right now. A declaration of free India’s determination to fight off all forms of imperialism and fascism. Formation of India’s interim government following the exit of the British. During a movement of civil disobedience against British rule.

Who started Quit India Movement?

 At a meeting of the All-India Congress Committee in Bombay on August 8, 1942, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi announced the start of the “Quit India” movement. The British government detained Gandhi, Nehru, and many other Indian National Congress leaders the following day.

Why did Gandhi launch Quit India Movement?

To get the British to leave India, Mahatma Gandhi started the Quit India movement in 1942. During this agitation, several Indian National Congress (INC) members were detained.

Who gave the Quit India slogan?

The Quit India Movement, also known as the Bharat Chhodo Andolan, was introduced by Mahatma Gandhi on August 8, 1942.

Who is the lady leader of the Quit India Movement?

Aruna Asaf Ali was a publisher, political activist, and educator from India. She was an ardent member of the campaign for Indian independence, and she is well-known for raising the Indian National flag at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay in 1942, during the Quit India Movement.

Who is the hero of the Quit India Movement?

Hero of the Quit India Movement are:

        Mahatma Gandhi         Jawaharlal Nehru         Subhash Chandra Bose         Jaiprakash Narain

When Quit India Movement ended?

The British came to the crucial conclusion that India was ungovernable in the long run as a result of the costs of World War II, even though the Quit India campaign was crushed in 1944 as a result of their refusal to grant immediate independence and instead insisting that it could only happen after the war had ended.

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QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT IN ASSAM: A HISTORICAL STUDY

2023, IJRAR

The Quit India Movement was the last phase of freedom movement of India's Independence struggle started with the resolution adopted on 8 th August, 1942 by the Congress working committee's meeting at Bombay. Gandhiji's call to the nation was 'Do or Die' and inspired by this motto of Gandhiji the movement received wholesale responses from the countrymen. Gandhiji and several prominent congress leaders were arrested on the very following day of the passing of the 'Quit India' Resolution and the British Government declared Congress an illegal organization. Likewise the other parts of the country, in Assam too the movement started with a massive response from the Assamese people. Prominent Congress leaders including Gopinath Bordoloi, Sinddhi Nath Sarma were arrested. Assamese women also took active participation in this movement. Assamese women organized Mrityu-Bahini or Santi-Sena which was the backbone of the movement.There were hartals, strikes and demonstrations in all districts of Assam. The British Government resorted a repressive method to subdue the movement. Kushal Konwar, Kanaklata and many other sacrificed their lives in this movement.

Related Papers

kalikrishnA sutradhar

The Quit India Movement of 1942 has occupied a very important place in the history of India as well as Bengal in the history of the Indian National Freedom Movement. It is to be noted that many scholars and historians have written and researched a lot about the Quit India movement in general, but there has been little discussion of this movement in the field of regional or local history. I have proceeded here to write an essay on the spread and impact of the Quit India Movement on North Bengal in northern part of West Bengal. Before entering into this subject, it is necessary to shed some light on the word "uttarbanga".

Shamsul Islam

75TH ANNIVERSARY OF QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT 1942: WHEN PATRIOTIC INDIANS WERE BEING MASSACRED, MAIMED & INCARCERATED, HINDUTVA BRIGADE HAD GANGED UP WITH THE BRITISH RULERS & THE MUSLIM LEAGUE Quit India Movement [QIM] also known as ‘August Kranti' (August Revolution) was a nation-wide Civil Disobedience Movement for which a call was given on August 7, 1942 by the Bombay session of the All-India Congress Committee. It began on August 8, with Gandhi making a call to Do or Die in his Quit India speech delivered in Mumbai at the Gowalia Tank Maidan. The British swiftly responded with mass detentions. Over 100,000 arrests were made which included the total leadership of Congress including Gandhi, mass fines were levied and demonstrators were subjected to public flogging. Hundreds of civilians were killed in violence many shot by the police army. Many national leaders went underground and continued their struggle by broadcasting messages over clandestine radio stations, distributing pamphlets and establishing parallel governments. Innumerable patriotic Indians were shot dead for the crime that they were holding Tricolour. Even before that a terrible massacre took place in Mysore where the armed forces of Mysore Raja who was very close to Hindu Mahasabha and RSS shot dead 22 Congress activists for saluting Tricolour. It is to be noted that after declaring Congress an anti-national and unlawful organization, the British masters allowed only Hindu Mahasabha and Muslim League to function. Most of us know that the then Communist Party of India opposed the QIM thus betraying a great phase of mass upsurge in the history of the freedom struggle. But it is well documented that despite CPI’s call for keeping aloof from QIM large number of Communist activists participated in it. However, what role the then Hindutva camp—consisting of the Hindu Mahasabha and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh —played in the QIM is under wraps for reasons unknown. The Hindutva camp not only opposed QIM but also provided multi-faceted and multi-dimensional support to the British rulers in suppressing this historic mass upsurge. In this connection, shocking documents are available; these should be read to be believed. READ THE WHOLE STORY... https://sabrangindia.in/article/partners-crime-hindutva-brigade-muslim-league-collaborated-british-75-years-quit-india http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/08/07/75th-anniversary-of-quit-india-movement-1942/

This August 8, 2016, we are commemorating the 74th anniversary of the Quit India Movement [QIM]. QIM also known as ‘August Kranti'(August Revolution) was a nation-wide Civil Disobedience Movement for which a call was given on August 7, 1942 by the Bombay session of the All-India Congress Committee. It began on August 8, with Gandhi making a call to Do or Die in his Quit India speech delivered in Mumbai at the Gowalia Tank Maidan. The British swiftly responded with mass detentions. Over 100,000 arrests were made, mass fines were levied and demonstrators were subjected to public flogging. Hundreds of civilians were killed in violence many shot by the police army. Many national leaders went underground and continued their struggle by broadcasting messages over clandestine radio stations, distributing pamphlets and establishing parallel governments. Most of us know that the then Communist Party of India opposed the QIM thus betraying a great phase of mass upsurge in the history of the freedom struggle. However, what role the then Hindutva camp—consisting of the Hindu Mahasabha and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh —played in the QIM is under wraps for reasons unknown. The Hindutva camp not only opposed QIM but also provided multi-faceted and multi-dimensional support to the British rulers in suppressing this historic mass upsurge. In this connection shocking documents are available; these should be read to be believed.

Papori Borah

The history of freedom struggle of India would be incomplete without mentioning the contribution of women. History has always talked a little about women. As like that the history of Indian Freedom Movement is filled with the names of eminent male freedom fighters whereas women freedom fighter has got very little place in it. In reality without the help of women the success of the freedom struggle and dream of Independent India would have never been achieved. Even when great freedom fighters were in the jail, numbers of Indian women individually and in groups came out and took various initiatives. Indian women have played an impactful role in this journey from being part of the non-cooperation movement to the quit India movement. As like almost every part of India the women of Assam also responded to each and every phases of the freedom movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi, namely, the Non−Cooperation Movement (1920/21), Civil Disobedience Movement (1930) and the Quit India Movement (1942). They participated in these movements through various ways such as by organizing processions, picketing, boycotting foreign goods and cloths, educating women and visited remotest areas to propagate the message of the movements. They also actively formed Congress women wings, Mahila Shanti Sena and Mahila Samities in Assam. Through their active role in the freedom struggle they made noteworthy contribution towards improvement of woman status, expansion of woman's education and organization of woman and social welfare in Assam. Likewise many women of Lakhimpur district also participated in various phases of the National Movements. But their role and scarifies has not got much scholarly attention exclusively. The paper is an attempt to discuss and draw attention towards the role of women of Lakhimpur district, Assam in the Freedom Struggle of India.

Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh (Hum)

Mohammad Golam Rabbani

The Quit India Movement of 1942 was the ever-biggest mass movement spear headed by the Indian National Congress and was characterized by spontaneous and sporadic revolts. It took a violent turn in many urban places across the country. In Bengal, it was intense in Kolkata and in some western districts but fairly moderate in eastern districts as a whole. Nevertheless, a very tangible evidence of public mobilization into this movement in some eastern districts is accessible. But over the long period of time as of today, the public history sources on the Quit India movement in Eastern Bengal are rare. Newspaper reports are also scanty. The archival documents contain only few police reports on public agitations versus police actions. However, the historiography of Quit India Movement has remained aloof towards what happened in the eastern districts of Bengal, so far. In this backdrop, this paper attempts to shed light on the media discourse and mass mobilization of the Quit India Movement in Eastern Bengal.

Prof Kapil C H I R P R O F E S S O R Kumar

The mightiest challenge to the British authority in India during the twentieth century came in the form of Quit India movement – a movement comparable only to that of the struggle of 1857. A number of studies have dealt with this massive upsurge of Indian people. Most of these researches highlight or hero worship the National level leadership – particularly Gandhi for giving the " Do or Die " slogan and for launching the struggle. Similarly, a lot of debate has taken place as to the role of different political parties and individuals during the movement. Certain studies have highlighted the popular response to the movement and how parallel governments were established and administered during the movement. Yet, not much attention has been devoted to the attitudes, mental framework and mobilization efforts of the local leadership at a time when all eyes were centred towards the Congress Working Committee meeting at Bombay. The Congress ministries resignation, the deliverance day celebrations by the Muslim League, the Pakistan resolution, Subhas Chandra Bose escape and the formation of INA along with the half-hearted individual satyagrah by Gandhi were the major events that preceded the Quit India movement. Though, the Congress had resigned from the government in the provinces, the very formation of these ministries had one positive impact on the people. It had become clear to the masses that freedom can be a reality and the British Raj was not going to survive for long. And it was this psyche of the people that shaped the events of the Quit India movement. With the leadership having been immediately arrested and the Congress having offered no definite programme of action, the people in different

Ananya Publication

Rajkumar Mandal

The contribution of the students is a fascinating chapter in the discussion of the history of India's freedom struggle. Students had an outstanding contribution to the history of the Indian independence movement. When Lord Curzon partitioned Bengal in 1905, for the first time a large number of students participated in the freedom struggle. Later students became a formidable force under the leadership of Gandhiji. He called upon students to walk out of schools and colleges during the Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience Movement. Students across the country responded immediately and were the first to organize against British rule. In 1936, India's first student organization All-India Students' Federation was established. This organization actively supported the Indian National Congress in the freedom struggle. Students took an active role during the Quit India movement led under the leadership of Gandhiji. Students also played a prominent role in the Quit India movement in the Contai subdivision of the undivided Medinipur district. Although the history of the freedom struggle of the country has been written, a specific region's writing has been scant. Just as the guidance of the top leaders is needed to organize a larger movement or programme, the contribution of regional grassroots leadership to make the movement successful cannot be ignored. Therefore, an attempt has been made to analyse the descriptive account of how the students encouraged the grassroots people to spontaneously participate in the Quit India movement by associating with the regional leaders of the Contai sub-division of Medinipur district in the anti-British movement.

Indian Historical Review

Kanchi Venugopal Reddy

Ravinder Kaur Cheema

Bombay, the commercial capital of India, has been an aerated city, since the period of British rule and thereafter turned a platform for launching the first national political organisation named the Bombay Association. This association voiced the political and economic national level demands in the form of petition. Eminent personalities such as Jagannath Shanker Shet, Bhau Daji Lad, Furdoonji and others through their ideology played a vital role in shaping the political association. Gradually, Bombay became a major spot of freedom struggle activities that were led by leaders like Lokmanya Tilak, Mahatma Gandhi and others. Gandhiji's famous and final call at the declaration of Quit India Movement in 1942 for one and all to actively participate in the movement at Bombay brought the student community to the forefront of the movement. This paper intends to highlight the contribution of the student community of Bombay that added strength to the freedom struggle of the country. Also the response of the British government in dealing with the student community will be a matter of concern in the deliberation. Young leader Usha Mehta and her associates took the leadership due to the imprisonment of all congress leaders and carried the movement ahead.

Tarun Gogoi

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The Quit India Movement marked a shift in the Indian nationalist movement towards more aggressive and direct action against British colonialism. One of the key figures who played a pivotal role in the Quit India Movement was Usha Mehta, a prominent freedom fighter and a staunch Gandhian. Discuss.

6. The Quit India Movement marked a shift in the Indian nationalist movement towards more aggressive and direct action against British colonialism. One of the key figures who played a pivotal role in the Quit India Movement was Usha Mehta, a prominent freedom fighter and a staunch Gandhian. Discuss.

Reference: Indian Express. ,  Insights on India

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• 01 Apr, 2024

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Essay on Quit India Movement

Mahatma Gandhi started the Quit India movement at Mumbai's Gowalia Tank Maidan, also called August Kranti Maidan. On August 8 and 9, 1942, he and other commanders assembled in this location. As a result of the effort, Congress' offices nationwide were searched and it was deemed an illegal group. The leaders were taken into custody, and this incident caused a chaotic situation.

The most well-known and effective mass movement in the series of agitations organised by Gandhi during the war for freedom was the movement to leave India, also known as the Revolt of 1942 or the "August Revolution" of 1942.  The Second World War had already begun when this massive migration was organised, and the sky was already dark and overcast due to the Japanese invasion of India.

The Cripps Mission's efforts were in vain, and prices for necessities were skyrocketing. However, the day of liberation from British imperialism does not seem far off. Gandhi frequently encouraged the British to "Leave India to God or to anarchy" and said, "This orderly disciplined anarchy should go, and if as a result there is complete lawlessness I would risk it." According to Sumit Sarkar, “The summer of 1942 found Gandhi in a strange and uniquely militant mood.”The man who 'promised' Swaraj within a year is restless and keen to see that his aim of securing freedom for India is quickly realised, as seen by his words made in May 1942. Though the need for non-violence was constantly emphasised, Gandhi's motto of "Do or Die" best captures his combative demeanour, as Sumit Sarkar notes.

The Congress initially agreed to a fight when the working committee met at Wardha on July 14, 1942. This decision to enter the conflict was approved by the All India Congress Committee at its meeting in Bombay in August. Gandhi made it quite clear in his address that he would not settle for anything less than total freedom. It's possible that the Viceroy will suggest eliminating the salt tax and drink evil. But I'll say it's freedom or nothing. Gandhi then gave his now-famous call to action, "Do or Die." "I give you this Mantra, which is a brief one. You can let it get ingrained in your souls and be expressed through every breath you take. Do or Die is the credo. We won't live to witness the continuation of slavery; we must either free India or perish trying.

Gandhi also issued a call to action to all groups of people, including the princes, Jagirdars, and Zamindars, as well as the wealthy and affluent classes, who draw their income and possessions from the workers in the fields, industries, and other places, to whom power and authority ultimately belong. Sumit Sarkar believes that Gandhi's aforementioned statement demonstrates his social radicalism and shift in the Congress's philosophical outlook. At this point, supporters of socialism and communism have joined the broad-based Congress organisation, and the British were equally determined to put an end to any movement of the Congress.

In a letter dated 8 August 1946, the then Viceroy Linlithgow made it very clear that he had made up his mind: "I feel very strongly that, in the present circumstances, the only possible response to a declaration of war by any section of Congress must be a declared determination to crush the organisation as a whole." Since both sides were prepared to act, the government detained all of the Congress' leading officials in a single sweep in the early hours of August 9, 1942, even before the movement had officially begun. Mass rage against the arrest of leaders erupted as a result of this. Following the unforeseen incident of August 9, 1942, there was a widespread upswing that lasted for six or seven weeks across the nation.

In certain locations, large crowds attacked police stations, post offices, courts, train stations, and other symbols of governmental authority, according to Bipan Chandra's writing. In defiance of the police, national flags were forcibly flown on public buildings. Cities, towns, and villages everywhere saw the anger of the populace. Peasants, labourers, and students all took part in the demonstrations to express their anger at the administration. The authorities repressed the movement by employing severe methods. Gandhi, who was taken into custody in the wee hours of August 9th, announced on February 10th that he would begin a 21-day fast.

Gandhi's failure to denounce the mass violence and hold the administration accountable for it is another aspect that should be noted in this context. People around the nation gave the Gandhi fast an enthusiastic and energetic response. On May 6, 1944, Gandhi was discharged for medical reasons. It should be highlighted that, in contrast to prior non-cooperation and civil disobedience activities, the Quit India movement saw the spontaneous participation of the whole public. According to Bipan Chandra, "the great significance of this historic event was that it immediately prioritised the demand for independence inside the national movement. After "Quit India," there was no turning back. Freedom was no longer up for negotiation. And after the war, this became very evident.

Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National Army carried the spirit released further. Understanding the long-drawn-out dynamics of the leaders of this movement's approach is revealed by an understanding of the process of India's struggle for independence. The Gandhian phase of "struggle-truce-struggle" was one of maintaining the tempo of the movement through the stages of non-cooperation followed by civil disobedience, followed by the Quit India movement, whereas the pre-Gandhian phase was one of increasing conscious awareness of the evils of the colonial and imperialist among the masses.

Along with Gandhi's nonviolent philosophy and Satyagraha technique, it was the tactic of struggle-truce-struggle that fueled and sustained the freedom movement and helped India become independent in 1947. During Gandhi's time, we saw a steady and sluggish change from a small minority of freedom seekers to a mass organisation of these individuals. Gandhi's most notable contribution was the effective staged strategy of struggle-truce-struggle to maintain the momentum of the movement. Gandhi undoubtedly had a key role in the mass political mobilisation of the 20th century, which was driven by the desire for the masses to rule themselves more peacefully.

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