Quit India Movement

<–2/”>a >Quit India Movement which took place in the month of August has been one of the most popular Mass Movements during the freedom struggle of India. With the failure of Cripps Mission the political situation had worsened leaving every individual with full of frustration and disgust. People in total frustration eagerly waited for one such popular movement which could bring a complete end to Imperialism in India. It was at this moment when Congress under the Leadership of Mahatma Gandhi called for Quit India Movement which turned out to be the most popular mass movement engulfing every section of the Society. Quit India Movement was one of the active actions taken by the Indian National Congress passed through the resolutions of July and August 1942 insisting for an immediate independence for India. Against the background of Cripps Mission and the compulsive inclusion of India in the war the political scenario in India had worsened .As such if Congress was to keep its promises for an independent India , the time has come when Congress was to give a final blow to British paramount in India.

In July, Congress passed a resolution demanding immediate end of British rule in India. The resolution gave a brief account of the efforts made by the congress to convince the British Rulers of the necessity to make India free not only for the benefit for India but for the safety of the world as well as the end of Nazism, Fascism, militarism and other forms of imperialism all over the world. It further claimed that it had no intentions to humiliate the Allied Powers and so appealed the British Rule to withdraw its rule from India as soon as possible. It further reiterated its efforts to solve the ever existing the communal drifts and cooperate with the efforts of United Nations to create a peaceful world .As such if the government fails to grant the demands of the Congress then it will compel the party to go for a mass movement on the non violence basis which will gather all its non violent strength as collected since 1920 and organize a mass civil disobedience movement.

The July Resolution was purposely neglected by the government who now blamed the demands as wrong timed. This forced the Indian National Congress to pass another resolution in August 1942, which took the July resolution as the basis for the new resolution. The Resolution for Quit India was made in the Bombay (now Mumbai) session of Congress held in 8th August, 1942 .The agenda of the resolution declared that the committee resolves to sanction for the vindication of India`s alienable right to freedom and independence, the starting of a mass struggle on the non – violent lines on the widest possible scale so that the country must utilize all non violent strength which it has gathered since last twenty years. The committee placed the entire movement under Gandhi`s leadership and it was expected that with launching of the movement every man and woman who will be participating the movement must function within four general instruction of the party. In his famous `Do or Die` speech Gandhi declared four parameters of the Quit India Movement – firstly forget the differences between the Hindus and the Muslims and think yourself as an Indian only; secondly realize that our quarrel is not with the British people but with Imperialism under which they function; thirdly feel from today that you are a free man and not a dependent; and fourthly Do or Die, either free India or in the attempt.

In spite of his passing of the resolution he declared that the struggle has yet not started and it will commence only after he meets the Viceroy with these demands. He appealed to all the journalists, civil servants, princes, soldiers and students to realize their responsibility towards the nation and participate if they wish to see India free on the non – violent means.

Reaction of British to the Movement

The Attitude of the British Government had also changed which now wanted to suppress every movement which will hamper its war image .As a result the quit India resolution was passed on 8th August and by 24 hours on 9 August Gandhi and all prominent leaders were arrested. Congress was declared an illegal party and simultaneous arrests took place all over the country. Quit India Movement has been popularly divided into three phases .The first phase started from the day of Gandhi`s arrest. The news of Quit India Movement and Gandhi`s arrest took the people unaware but the reaction was spontaneous. All the major cities of India which included Bombay (now Mumbai), Calcutta (now Kolkata), Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Patna and many more cities faced hartals and the entire nation came to a standstill. Government`s reaction was repressive which began with indiscriminate firing and mass arrest.

The second phase began from the middle of August when the, focus shifted from the center to the out skirts where mobs began to attack the court buildings. Places like Eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Midnapore in West Bengal , parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Orissa where infuriated mobs tried to set up parallel governments though short lived and unsuccessful. The large suppressions executed by the government helped the people to organize the third phase of the movement which entered its longest and most formidable phase. This was characterized by the terrorist activities of the educated youth and was directed against communications and police confrontations, occasionally rising to the level of guerrilla warfare. In Bombay (now Mumbai), Poona, Satara, Baroda, parts of Kerela, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh underground organizations became active. Government atrocities crossed all limits but failed to restrict the movement from reaching its climax.

On the other side the war also came in favour of Allied powers .This made the secretary of State to condemn the Congress as growing revolutionary under Gandhi which aimed at crippling the government. As the government continued to blame Mahatma Gandhi for the violence taking place after the declaration of Quit India Movement, Gandhi gave an ultimatum with a 21 days fasting which began in 10th February 1943 and ended in 3rd March. Its main purpose was to draw world`s attention towards India cause.

Overall the Quit India Movement was successful in breaking the myth o f the government that it was the most popularly accepted government and that it was run by the majority of people who were loyal to the crown. Turning out to be the most popular movement in the freedom struggle for India this movement saw participation from all sections of people.,

The Quit India Movement was a major turning point in the Indian independence movement. It was launched on August 8, 1942, by Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress (INC). The movement called for the British to quit India and hand over power to Indians. The Quit India Movement was met with a severe crackdown by the British, and many leaders of the INC were arrested. However, the movement was successful in galvanizing Indian public opinion against British rule, and it paved the way for India’s independence in 1947.

The following are some of the subtopics related to the Quit India Movement:

Background: The Quit India Movement was the culmination of years of Indian nationalist agitation against British rule. The INC had been demanding independence for India since its founding in 1885. In 1930, the INC launched the Civil Disobedience Movement, which was met with a severe crackdown by the British. The Civil Disobedience Movement was followed by the Quit India Movement in 1942.
Leadership: The Quit India Movement was led by Mahatma Gandhi and the INC. Gandhi was the undisputed leader of the Indian independence movement, and he was the driving force behind the Quit India Movement. The INC was the largest political party in India, and it played a major role in the Quit India Movement.
Objectives: The objectives of the Quit India Movement were to:
- Secure India’s independence from British rule.
- Establish a sovereign, democratic, and secular India.
- End the British Raj in India.
Methods: The Quit India Movement used a variety of methods to achieve its objectives, including:
- Non-violent protests.
- Strikes.
- Boycotts.
- Civil disobedience.
Results: The Quit India Movement was met with a severe crackdown by the British. Many leaders of the INC were arrested, and the movement was largely unsuccessful in achieving its immediate objectives. However, the Quit India Movement was successful in galvanizing Indian public opinion against British rule, and it paved the way for India’s independence in 1947.
Legacy: The Quit India Movement is considered to be one of the most important events in the history of the Indian independence movement. It was a major turning point in the struggle for Indian independence, and it paved the way for India’s independence in 1947.

The Quit India Movement was launched on August 8, 1942, at a meeting of the All-India Congress Committee (AICC) in Bombay. In his speech at the meeting, Gandhi called upon the British to “quit India” and hand over power to Indians. He said that the British had no right to rule India, and that Indians must fight for their independence.

The Quit India Movement was met with a severe crackdown by the British. Many leaders of the INC were arrested, including Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Maulana Azad. The British also imposed martial law in many parts of India.

Despite the crackdown, the Quit India Movement was successful in galvanizing Indian public opinion against British rule. Millions of Indians took part in the movement, and there were widespread protests and strikes. The movement also led to the formation of the Azad Hind Fauj, an Indian army that fought against the British.

The Quit India Movement was a major turning point in the Indian independence movement. It showed the British that Indians were determined to fight for their independence, and it paved the way for India’s independence in 1947.

Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about the Quit India Movement:

What was the Quit India Movement?
The Quit India Movement was a major nonviolent protest campaign launched in India in August 1942. The movement was led by Mahatma Gandhi and called for the British to leave India immediately.
What were the causes of the Quit India Movement?
The Quit India Movement was caused by a number of factors, including British rule in India, the Indian National Congress’s desire for independence, and the Second World War.
What were the goals of the Quit India Movement?
The goals of the Quit India Movement were to end British rule in India and to achieve independence for India.
What were the methods used in the Quit India Movement?
The Quit India Movement used a variety of methods, including nonviolent protests, strikes, and boycotts.
What were the results of the Quit India Movement?
The Quit India Movement was successful in achieving its goal of ending British rule in India. India gained independence in 1947.
What were the challenges faced by the Quit India Movement?
The Quit India Movement faced a number of challenges, including British repression, the lack of unity among Indian nationalists, and the Second World War.
What were the achievements of the Quit India Movement?
The Quit India Movement achieved a number of achievements, including the end of British rule in India, the achievement of independence for India, and the promotion of nonviolent resistance.
What were the legacies of the Quit India Movement?
The Quit India Movement has a number of legacies, including the promotion of nonviolent resistance, the achievement of independence for India, and the strengthening of the Indian National Congress.
What are some interesting facts about the Quit India Movement?
Some interesting facts about the Quit India Movement include the fact that it was the largest nonviolent protest campaign in history, the fact that it was led by Mahatma Gandhi, and the fact that it resulted in the end of British rule in India.
What are some Resources for Learning more about the Quit India Movement?
Some resources for learning more about the Quit India Movement include books, articles, websites, and documentaries.

The following are multiple choice questions about the Indian independence movement:

Which of the following was not a goal of the Indian independence movement?
(A) To end British rule in India
(B) To establish a secular Democracy in India
(C) To create a Hindu nation in India
(D) To promote Economic Development in India
Who was the leader of the Indian National Congress?
(A) Mahatma Gandhi
(B) Jawaharlal Nehru
(C) Vallabhbhai Patel
(D) Subhash Chandra Bose
What was the name of the campaign of nonviolent resistance led by Mahatma Gandhi?
(A) The Quit India Movement
(B) The Salt March
(C) The Non-Cooperation Movement
(D) The Civil Disobedience Movement
When did India gain independence from Britain?
(A) 1947
(B) 1948
(C) 1949
(D) 1950
Who was the first prime minister of India?
(A) Mahatma Gandhi
(B) Jawaharlal Nehru
(C) Vallabhbhai Patel
(D) Subhash Chandra Bose

The correct answers are:
1. (C)
2. (A)
3. (C)
4. (A)
5. (B)

The Indian independence movement was a long and complex struggle that resulted in the end of British rule in India in 1947. The movement was led by a number of different leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Vallabhbhai Patel. The movement used a variety of tactics, including nonviolent resistance, civil disobedience, and boycotts. The Indian independence movement was a major turning point in Indian history, and it had a profound impact on the development of the country.