Quit India Movement (1942)
Notes for UPSC, JKSSB, JKPSC, SSC, & Other Competitive Examinations
Introduction
The Quit India Movement was the last great mass movement launched by the Indian National Congress under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi against British rule.
It was launched on 8 August 1942 during the Second World War and is also known as:
August Movement
Bharat Chhodo Andolan
The movement demanded the immediate withdrawal of British rule from India.
Watch free Video lecture Click hereBackground of the Movement
International Situation
The movement took place during the:
World War II
The British government involved India in the war without consulting Indian leaders.
Failure of the Cripps Mission (1942)
In March 1942, the British government sent:
Sir Stafford Cripps
to India with constitutional proposals.
Why Did It Fail?
No immediate transfer of power.
Dominion status promised only after the war.
Provinces could opt out of the Union.
Congress rejected the proposals.
Gandhi described it as:
"A post-dated cheque on a crashing bank."
Causes of the Quit India Movement
1. Failure of Cripps Mission
Indians were disappointed by British proposals.
2. British Refusal to Grant Independence
Congress demanded immediate self-government.
3. Economic Hardships
Inflation
Food shortages
Wartime taxes
4. Japanese Advance
Japanese forces had reached Burma, creating fears regarding India's security.
5. Growing Nationalism
The demand for complete independence had become stronger.
Launch of the Movement
The Quit India Resolution was passed on:
8 August 1942
At:
Gowalia Tank Maidan
(now known as August Kranti Maidan).
The resolution was adopted by the:
Indian National Congress
Gandhi's Historic Call
At the session Gandhi gave the famous slogan:
"Do or Die"
Meaning:
Achieve freedom.
Or sacrifice everything in the struggle.
Important Features
Mass Civil Disobedience
People refused to cooperate with British authorities.
Strikes and Demonstrations
Railway strikes
Student protests
Public demonstrations
Parallel Governments
Several local governments were established.
Examples:
| Place | Parallel Government |
|---|---|
| Ballia | National Government |
| Satara | Prati Sarkar |
| Tamluk | Tamralipta National Government |
Immediate British Response
Within hours of the resolution:
Gandhi arrested
Congress leaders arrested
Congress declared illegal
Important leaders arrested included:
Jawaharlal Nehru
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
Role of Aruna Asaf Ali
When senior leaders were arrested:
Aruna Asaf Ali
hoisted the Congress flag at Gowalia Tank Maidan and became known as the:
"Heroine of the Quit India Movement"
Role of Underground Leaders
Several leaders continued resistance secretly.
Important Underground Leaders
| Leader | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Jayaprakash Narayan | Underground resistance |
| Ram Manohar Lohia | Secret organization |
| Usha Mehta | Secret Congress Radio |
Congress Radio
Usha Mehta
Started:
Congress Radio
It spread messages of the freedom movement despite British censorship.
Nature of the Movement
Leaderless Movement
Since top leaders were arrested immediately, local leaders and ordinary citizens took charge.
Spontaneous Movement
The movement spread rapidly across India without centralized control.
Significance of the Movement
Political Significance
Demonstrated India's determination for freedom.
Made British realize that India could not be governed without Indian support.
Mass Participation
Participation from:
Students
Workers
Women
Farmers
Psychological Impact
Destroyed the legitimacy of British rule.
Limitations
Brutal Repression
British authorities used:
Arrests
Firing
Lathi charges
Lack of Central Leadership
Most senior leaders were imprisoned.
Not Supported by All Groups
Some organizations remained outside the movement.
Results of the Movement
Although the movement did not immediately achieve independence:
✔ British understood they could not continue ruling India indefinitely.
✔ It accelerated the process leading to independence.
✔ It became the final mass struggle before freedom.
Timeline
| Year/Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 1942 | Cripps Mission arrives |
| August 1942 | Quit India Resolution |
| 8 August 1942 | "Do or Die" speech |
| 9 August 1942 | Arrest of leaders |
| 1942–44 | Underground activities |
| 1947 | Independence achieved |
Important One-Liners for Exams
Quit India Movement was launched in 1942.
It is also called the August Movement.
The movement began on 8 August 1942.
Gandhi gave the slogan "Do or Die."
Gowalia Tank Maidan was the launch venue.
Cripps Mission failed in 1942.
Aruna Asaf Ali hoisted the Congress flag.
Usha Mehta operated Congress Radio.
Satara witnessed the Prati Sarkar.
Quit India Movement was the final mass movement before independence.
MCQs
Q1. The Quit India Movement was launched in:
A. 1939
B. 1940
C. 1942
D. 1945
Answer: C
Q2. The slogan "Do or Die" was given by:
A. Nehru
B. Subhas Bose
C. Gandhi
D. Patel
Answer: C
Q3. Quit India Resolution was passed at:
A. Lahore
B. Bombay
C. Delhi
D. Calcutta
Answer: B
Q4. Which mission's failure led directly to the movement?
A. Simon Mission
B. Cabinet Mission
C. Cripps Mission
D. Wavell Mission
Answer: C
Q5. Who is known as the Heroine of the Quit India Movement?
A. Sarojini Naidu
B. Annie Besant
C. Aruna Asaf Ali
D. Vijayalakshmi Pandit
Answer: C
Statement-Type MCQs
Q1. Consider the following statements:
Quit India Movement was launched in 1942.
Gandhi gave the slogan "Do or Die."
Cripps Mission succeeded in satisfying Congress demands.
Select the correct answer:
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B
Q2. Consider the following statements:
Aruna Asaf Ali hoisted the Congress flag at Gowalia Tank.
Usha Mehta operated Congress Radio.
The movement began after the failure of the Cripps Mission.
Which statements are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D
Match the Following
| List-I | List-II |
|---|---|
| A. Gandhi | 1. Do or Die |
| B. Aruna Asaf Ali | 2. Congress Flag |
| C. Usha Mehta | 3. Congress Radio |
| D. Jayaprakash Narayan | 4. Underground Movement |
Answer
A–1, B–2, C–3, D–4
Advanced UPSC/JKSSB Questions
Q1. Which of the following parallel governments emerged during the Quit India Movement?
Satara
Ballia
Tamluk
Choose the correct answer:
A. 1 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D
Q2. Consider the following leaders:
Ram Manohar Lohia
Jayaprakash Narayan
Usha Mehta
Which were associated with underground activities during Quit India Movement?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. 1 and 2 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D
UPSC / JKSSB Revision Box
✔ Year – 1942
✔ Also Called – August Movement
✔ Venue – Gowalia Tank Maidan, Bombay
✔ Slogan – "Do or Die"
✔ Immediate Cause – Failure of Cripps Mission
✔ Heroine – Aruna Asaf Ali
✔ Congress Radio – Usha Mehta
✔ Parallel Governments – Satara, Ballia, Tamluk
✔ Nature – Leaderless and Spontaneous
✔ Importance – Final Mass Struggle Before Independence
Previous-Year Exam Focus Areas
Do or Die slogan
Aruna Asaf Ali and Usha Mehta
Parallel Governments
Congress Radio
Features and significance of Quit India Movement
Comparison with Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience Movements.
