Why British Left India? | Reality of Mahatma Gandhi's Role | Quit India Movement | Dhruv Rathee

Dhruv Rathee2 minutes read

The Quit India Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi in 1942 against British rule saw the arrest of top Congress leaders and widespread participation, eventually leading to India's independence two years later with international pressure on the British government. Despite challenges from organizations like the Hindu Mahasabha and Muslim League, the movement's success and support pushed the UK government towards granting India complete freedom upon the British Labour Party's ascension to power in 1945.

Insights

  • The Quit India Movement of 1942 was a significant event in India's fight for independence, marked by Mahatma Gandhi's powerful call for "Do or Die" against British rule, resulting in the arrest of top Congress leaders and widespread civil disobedience.
  • The movement showcased a complex political landscape with organizations like the Muslim League and Hindu Mahasabha playing crucial roles, highlighting differing strategies towards British rule, ultimately leading to international pressure and the eventual promise of independence by the British Labour Party in 1945.

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Recent questions

  • What event sparked the Quit India Movement?

    The leaders of the All India Congress Committee announced the Quit India Movement on 8th August 1942 in Mumbai, opposing British imperialism.

  • Who were some key figures arrested during the Quit India Movement?

    Prominent leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sardar Patel were arrested on 9th August 1942 and imprisoned for years during the Quit India Movement.

  • How did the British government attempt to suppress the Quit India Movement?

    The British government employed a 3-stage plan involving propaganda, raiding Congress offices, and granting emergency powers to declare movement leaders as anti-national to suppress the Quit India Movement.

  • What role did Usha Mehta play in the Quit India Movement?

    Usha Mehta established Congress Radio to disseminate messages during the Quit India Movement, evading British detection until her arrest in November 1942.

  • What impact did the Quit India Movement have on India's independence?

    The Quit India Movement, despite opposition from leaders like Savarkar and Jinnah, was successful in garnering international pressure on the UK government, ultimately leading to India gaining independence two years later after the British Labour Party promised complete freedom to colonies like India.

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Summary

00:00

Quit India Movement: Defiance Against British Rule

  • On 8th August 1942, leaders of the All India Congress Committee gathered in Mumbai to announce the Quit India Movement against British imperialism.
  • Mahatma Gandhi delivered a historic speech, urging complete freedom with the mantra "Do or Die" to end British rule.
  • The British government had a 3-stage plan to suppress the movement: Propaganda, Raiding Congress offices, and Emergency powers to declare leaders anti-national.
  • Top Congress leaders, including Gandhi, Nehru, and Patel, were arrested on 9th August and jailed for years.
  • The August Offer in 1940 and the Cripps Mission in 1942 failed to grant India complete independence, leading to the Quit India Movement.
  • The Wardha Committee resolution in March 1942 initiated civil disobedience, supported by leaders like Patel and Prasad.
  • The British government planned arrests and deportations to Africa to prevent the movement, already aware of the Quit India Resolution.
  • Usha Mehta started Congress Radio to spread messages, evading British detection until her arrest in November 1942.
  • Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose supported the movement from Berlin, calling it India's Non-Violent Guerrilla Warfare.
  • The movement saw widespread participation, with leaders like Aruna Asaf Ali leading demonstrations and Jai Prakash Narayan orchestrating a jailbreak.

14:01

Quit India Movement: Muslim League and Hindu Mahasabha

  • Muslim League and Hindu Mahasabha were two major organizations during the Quit India Movement. The Muslim League passed the Lahore Resolution in 1940, demanding a separate country for Muslims, known as the Pakistan Resolution.
  • In Bengal, the Muslim League government formed an alliance with the Hindu Mahasabha, with Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee as the Finance Minister. Mukherjee wrote to the British government before the Quit India Movement, discussing ways to combat the movement and ensure it didn't start in Bengal.
  • Hindu Mahasabha, led by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, adopted a strategy of responsive cooperation with the British government, ready for active and armed resistance. The RSS, at the organizational level, had a similar stance towards the Quit India Movement.
  • Despite opposition from leaders like Savarkar and Jinnah, the Quit India Movement was successful, leading to international pressure on the UK government for India's freedom. The British Labour Party, upon coming to power in 1945, promised complete freedom to colonies like India, leading to India gaining independence two years later.
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