Quit India Movement
On the 8th of August 1942, Mahatma Gandhi stood before the All India Congress Committee in Bombay and launched a political campaign demanding an end to British rule. This moment emerged from years of rising tension between Indian nationalists and the colonial government. In 1939, Lord Linlithgow had brought India into World War II without consulting Indian leaders. The Muslim League supported the war effort while the Congress Party remained divided over whether to participate. Gandhi could not reconcile his commitment to non-violent resistance with supporting a war that seemed to serve imperial interests. He stated he did not seek to raise an independent India from the ashes of Britain even as he expressed support for fighting racism. The long-term British policy of limiting investment in India left the army weak and poorly armed. Taxes were sharply increased and prices doubled during this period. Many Indian businesses felt rebuffed by the government's refusal to give Indians greater roles in organizing wartime production. Srinath Raghavan documented these economic pressures in his 2016 book on India's war experience.
Gandhi delivered his famous speech at Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay on the 8th of August 1942 calling for immediate action. His words became known as the 'Do or Die' mantra: We shall either free India or die in the attempt. The movement demanded what Gandhi called An Orderly British Withdrawal from India. Almost the entire leadership of the Indian National Congress was imprisoned without trial within hours of the speech. Most spent the rest of the war in prison and out of contact with the masses they had mobilized. Viceroy Linlithgow described the movement as by far the most serious rebellion since 1857. In a telegram to Winston Churchill on the 31st of August, Linlithgow noted that mob violence remained rampant over large tracts of countryside. He expressed concern about the gravity and extent of the rebellion which he concealed from the world for military security reasons. The lives of Europeans in outlying places were in jeopardy according to his assessment. The British had support from the Viceroy's Council, the All India Muslim League, Hindu Mahasabha, princely states, police forces, army units, and civil service administrators.
Over 100,000 arrests were made during the Quit India Movement as the British swiftly responded to protests. Mass fines were levied against demonstrators who faced public flogging in many locations. Hundreds of civilians were killed in violence often shot by police or army units. Many national leaders went underground to continue their struggle through clandestine radio stations and pamphlet distribution. They established parallel governments in various regions outside official colonial control. A battleship was set aside specifically to transport Gandhi and Congress leaders out of India possibly to South Africa or Yemen. That step was ultimately not taken due to fear of intensifying the revolt further. Leadership of the underground movement included names like Achyut Rao Patwardhan, Aruna Asaf Ali, Sucheta Kripalani, Daljit Singh, and Nana Patil. The Congress leadership remained cut off from the rest of the world for over three years. Gandhi's wife Kasturba Gandhi and his personal secretary Mahadev Desai died within months despite this resistance. Gandhi maintained a 21-day fast while continuing his resolve for continuous resistance even as his health failed. The British released Gandhi on account of his deteriorating condition in 1944 but he kept up demands for releasing other prisoners.
From the 9th of August 1942 to the 21st of September 1942, the Quit India Movement attacked 550 post offices and damaged many rail lines. There were about 2,500 instances of telegraph wires being cut during this period according to John F. Riddick's records. The greatest level of violence occurred in Bihar where the Government deployed 57 battalions of British troops to restore order. Airfield construction was delayed for four to six weeks as military resources shifted to quell protests. In Tamluk and Contai subdivisions of Midnapore, local populace successfully established parallel government known as Tamluk National Government. This administration continued to function until Gandhi personally requested leaders disband it in 1944. A minor uprising took place in Ballia now the easternmost district of Uttar Pradesh where people overthrew district administration. They broke open the jail and released arrested Congress leaders establishing their own independent rule. It took weeks before the British could reestablish their writ in that district. Of special importance in Saurashtra region was the baharvatiya tradition which abetted sabotage activities there. In Adas village in Kaira district, six people died and many more wounded in a police shooting incident.
Several political groups active during the Indian Independence Movement openly opposed the Quit India Movement including Hindu Mahasabha and princely states. Vinayak Damodar Savarkar president of Hindu Mahasabha wrote a letter titled Stick to your Posts instructing members to remain in their positions. He told Sabhaites serving in municipalities legislatures or army to stick to posts across country without joining the movement. Syama Prasad Mukherjee leader of Hindu Mahasabha in Bengal wrote a letter dated the 26th of July 1942 outlining how government should respond. He stated that anyone planning to stir up mass feeling resulting internal disturbances must be resisted by any functioning government. The Fazlul Haq led Bengal Government along with its alliance partner Hindu Mahasabha made every possible effort to defeat the movement in province. Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Muslim League opposed the movement while supporting British war effort in world war. Communist Party of India also opposed Quit India movement after Soviet Union came under attack. They supported British war effort instead of joining nationalist resistance. Some princes opposed the movement and funded opposition forces against Congress initiatives. Allama Mashriqi head of Khaksar Tehrik was called by Jawaharlal Nehru to join but did not agree with resolution.
The movement ended in 1945 with release of all jailed nationalists following World War II conclusion. One important achievement was keeping Congress party united through trials and tribulations that followed. Despite lack of direct leadership large protests and demonstrations were held all over country. Workers remained absent in large groups and strikes were called throughout regions affected. Demonstrations sometimes turned violent as bombs exploded and government buildings set fire. Electricity cut transport lines severed communication networks across multiple districts. The British sense of crisis grew strong enough for military deployment yet they ultimately recognized India became ungovernable long term. In 1945 when World War II had almost come to end Labour Party won elections promising independence to India. Jailed political prisoners released in 1945 marking official end of movement phase. Prominent independence activists who died during movement include Mukunda Kakati Matangini Hazra Kanaklata Barua Kushal Konwar Bhogeswari Phukanani among others. In 1992 Reserve Bank of India issued 1 rupee commemorative coin marking Golden Jubilee of Quit India Movement. The issue for postwar era became how to exit gracefully and peacefully rather than maintaining colonial control indefinitely.
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Common questions
When did Mahatma Gandhi launch the Quit India Movement?
Mahatma Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement on the 8th of August 1942. He delivered his famous speech at Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay calling for immediate action.
What was the Do or Die mantra used by Mahatma Gandhi during the Quit India Movement?
The Do or Die mantra stated that Indians would either free India or die in the attempt. This phrase became known as the defining slogan of the movement launched on the 8th of August 1942.
How many arrests were made during the Quit India Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi?
Over 100,000 arrests were made during the Quit India Movement as the British swiftly responded to protests. Mass fines and public flogging were levied against demonstrators who faced violence from police or army units.
Which political groups opposed the Quit India Movement initiated by Mahatma Gandhi?
Political groups such as Hindu Mahasabha, princely states, Muslim League, and Communist Party of India openly opposed the Quit India Movement. Vinayak Damodar Savarkar instructed members to stick to their posts while Muhammad Ali Jinnah supported the British war effort instead.
When did the Quit India Movement officially end after being launched by Mahatma Gandhi?
The Quit India Movement ended in 1945 with the release of all jailed nationalists following the conclusion of World War II. Jailed political prisoners were released in 1945 marking the official end of the movement phase.