Chapter-23

Quit India Movement

Initiation:
➢ Gandhi drafted a resolution for British withdrawal and nonviolent non-cooperation in case of a Japanese
invasion after Cripps' departure.
➢ The resolution was accepted at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Wardha on July 14,
1942.
➢ Gandhi was given command of the movement at the Wardha meeting.
Resolution and Launch:
➢ Ratification of the 'Quit India' resolution at the All India Congress Committee meeting in Bombay in
August.
➢ Movement commenced at Gowalia Tank Maidan in Mumbai, known as August Kranti Maidan.
➢ Slogans: "Quit India" and "Bharat Chodo." Gandhi's mantra: "Do or die."
Resolution Details:
➢ August 8, 1942: Congress meeting ratified the Quit India Resolution at Gowalia Tank, Bombay.
➢ Demands immediate end to British rule, commitment to defend against Fascism and imperialism,
formation of provisional Government of India, and sanction of civil disobedience.
Gandhi's Instructions:
➢ Government employees: Pledge allegiance to INC instead of resigning.
➢ Soldiers: Stay with the army but refrain from firing on comrades.
➢ Landlords/Zamindars: Pay rent if anti-government; abstain if pro-government.
➢ Students: Can leave studies if confident.
➢ Princes and people of princely states: Stand behind people, support monarch if anti-government,
declare as Indian citizens.
Reasons for Movement:
➢ Japanese threat on India's north-eastern frontiers.
➢ British abandonment of Southeast Asian colonies.
➢ Belief that British withdrawal would deter Japanese invasion.
➢ Frustration over British wartime hardships and defeats.
➢ Response to failure of Cripps Mission to address India's issues.

Nature of the Quit India Movement (August 1942)

Shift from Non-Violence:

➢ Unlike previous Civil Disobedience Movements (NCM & CDM), Quit India aimed for a massive uprising
from the start.
➢ Gandhi, frustrated by British actions and Indian sentiment, sanctioned violence in self-defense.
➢ Focus shifted towards achieving freedom (ends) by any means (methods).
Clear Goal and Objectives:
➢ Demanded complete British withdrawal from India.
➢ Accommodated violence against the state.
➢ Involved anyone seeking independence, not just trained activists.
➢ Empowered students to lead after senior leader arrests.
➢ Advocated total defiance of government authority.
Leaderless Movement and Grassroots Action:
➢ Leader arrests led to a more radical, "un-Gandhian" phase.
➢ Gandhi's prior endorsement of violence and youth leadership fueled this shift.
➢ Movement developed organically at the local level.
Underground Activities:
➢ Aimed to maintain morale, establish command, distribute arms, and guide the movement.
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 ➢ Key figures: Rammanohar Lohia, Jayaprakash Narayan, Aruna Asaf Ali (established an underground
radio station in Bombay).
Parallel Governments:
➢ Established in some parts of India.

Phases of Quit India Movement

First Phase: Rampage by Public
➢ Public attacked authority symbols, hoisted national flags on public buildings.
➢ Satyagrahis surrendered to arrest, bridges blown up, railway tracks removed, telegraph lines severed.
➢ Most prevalent in eastern United Provinces and Bihar.
➢ Students struck in schools, colleges, distributed illegal news sheets, acted as couriers.
➢ Strikes in Ahmedabad, Bombay, Jamshedpur, Ahmednagar, Poona.
Second Phase: Underground Activities
➢ Nationalists engaged in subversive activities, fled underground.
➢ Involvement of socialists, Forward Bloc members, Gandhi ashramites, revolutionary nationalists, local
organizations.
➢ Key figures: Rammanohar Lohia, Jayaprakash Narayan, Aruna Asaf Ali, Usha Mehta, Biju Patnaik,
among others.
➢ Usha Mehta founded underground radio station in Bombay.
➢ Aimed to maintain popular morale, provide command, guidance, distribution of arms.
Third Phase: Parallel Governments
➢ Establishment of parallel governments in Ballia, Tamluk, Satara.
➢ Ballia: Led by Chittu Pandey, secured release of Congress members.
➢ Tamluk: Jatiya Sarkar focused on relief, education, distribution of resources.
➢ Satara: Organized by leaders like Y.B. Chavan, Nana Patil, implemented various social reforms.
➢ Active assistance from businessmen, students, villagers, pilots, train drivers, government officials.

Regional Participation in the Quit India Movement (August 1942)

Strong Participation:
➢ Bihar:
✓ Students, workers, peasants actively involved.
✓ Underground activities led by Jayaprakash Narayan and Ram Manohar Lohia.
✓ Parallel government formed near Nepal border (until 1944).
✓ Socialist group Azad Dastas carried out underground activities.
➢ Uttar Pradesh:
✓ Armed villagers targeted police and courts.
✓ Strikes in Kanpur, Lucknow, Nagpur.
Urban Focus:
➢ Bengal:
✓ Protests, sabotage, damage to infrastructure in towns and cities.
✓ Worker, tribal, peasant movements gained momentum.
Western India:
➢ Maharashtra & Gujarat:
✓ Peasant guerilla attacks on government property and collaborators.
✓ "Azad Government" parallel government established in Ahmedabad.
✓ Bombay inspired by underground publications.
South India:
➢ Bangalore: K.T. Bhashyam led trade union strikes.
Social Base of the Movement:
➢ Students: Played a significant role, especially in Bihar and eastern UP.
➢ Workers: Involved in strikes across the country.
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 ➢ Peasants: Limited participation, but more active in Bihar and eastern UP.
➢ Tribals: Participated in Bengal and Orissa.
➢ Government Officials: Lower-ranked police and administration joined, decreasing government loyalty.
Some passed information to activists.
➢ Women: Actively participated in protests, strikes, and community mobilization.

Impact of the Quit India Movement (August 1942)

Crackdown and Leadership Shift:
➢ British arrested prominent Congress leaders including Gandhi, Nehru, Patel. (around 100,000 detained
in total)
➢ New leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan and Ram Manohar Lohia emerged.
➢ Aruna Asaf Ali became a prominent figure.
Popular Reaction and Violence:
➢ Unrest led to violence and property damage due to lack of central leadership.
➢ Government used force (mass floggings, lathi charges) - around 10,000 killed.
➢ Women and children were not spared.
Opposition to the Movement:
➢ Muslim League (Jinnah): Wanted a separate Muslim nation before British leave.
➢ Communist Party of India: Supported British war effort due to alliance with USSR.
➢ Indian bureaucracy opposed the movement.
➢ C Rajagopalachari (Congress member) resigned due to disagreement with complete independence.
Support and Spread:
➢ Strikes and demonstrations across the country.
➢ Workers (especially in factories) supported the movement.
➢ Movement concentrated in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Midnapore, Karnataka (lasted until 1944).
Significance:
➢ People from all walks of life participated (students, workers, peasants).
➢ Showed deep-rooted nationalism and the need for Indian consent in governance.
➢ Forced the British to seriously consider Indian independence.
➢ Paved the way for negotiations and eventual independence in 1947.
➢ Put the demand for immediate independence at the forefront of the freedom struggle.
Limitations of the Quit India Movement (August 1942)
Failed Objectives:
➢ Did not achieve immediate independence (further struggle and negotiations needed).
Leadership and Coordination:
➢ Lack of central leadership led to confusion and fragmentation.
Opposition:
➢ Muslim League (Jinnah): Wanted separate nation before British leave.
➢ Communist Party of India: Supported British war effort due to alliance with USSR.
➢ Indian Bureaucracy: Opposed the movement.
➢ B. R. Ambedkar & Periyar: Also against the movement.
Communal Divide:
➢ Lower Muslim participation compared to previous movements (Jinnah urged Muslims to join British
army).
➢ Strengthened Muslim League's demand for a separate state (contributed to Partition).
➢ Some instances of communal violence during the movement.
Limited Focus by Historians:
➢ Due to the absence of major political parties and leaders in central roles.
Bengal Famine of 1943
➢ Affected Regions & Casualties
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 ✓ Worst Hit: South-west Bengal (Tamluk, Contai, Diamond Harbour), Dacca, Faridpur, Tippera,
Noakhali.
✓ Estimated Deaths: 1.5 - 3 million people.
✓ Causes:
Food diversion for wartime British army.
Halt in rice imports from Burma & Southeast Asia.
Mismanagement, profiteering, delayed rationing.
Rajagopalachari Formula (1944)
➢ Content
✓ Proposed by C. Rajagopalachari.
✓ Tacit acceptance of Muslim League's demand for Pakistan.
✓ Key Points:
Muslim League support for Congress' demand for independence.
Cooperation in forming a central provisional government.
Plebiscite in Muslim-majority areas to decide on a separate state (post-war).
Agreements on defense, commerce if partition occurs.
Conditional on full power transfer from England to India.
➢ Objections
✓ Jinnah's Demands:
Congress accept two-nation theory.
Limited voting in plebiscite.
Opposition to a common center.
✓ Differing Goals:
Congress - United India's independence.
League - Sole focus on separate Muslim nation.
✓ Hindu Opposition: Led by Vir Savarkar, condemned the CR Formula.

Efforts to Resolve the Deadlock (1944-1945)

Desai-Liaqat Pact (1944)

➢ Leaders involved: Bhulabhai Desai (Congress) & Liaqat Ali Khan (Muslim League)
➢ Proposed an interim government with:
✓ Equal number of seats from Congress & League in central legislature.
✓ 20% reserved seats for minorities.
➢ Significance: Established a concept of parity between Congress & League (not implemented).

Wavell Plan (1945)

Context:
➢ British Motivation:
✓ Upcoming UK election (1945) - Wanted to appear proactive on Indian solution.
✓ Pressure from Allies for continued Indian cooperation in WW2.
✓ Divert Indian energy towards British interests.
➢ Viceroy Wavell's Role:
✓ Released Congress leaders in June 1945.
✓ Convened Shimla Conference (June 1945) to negotiate with Indian leaders.
The Plan:
➢ Reconstruct Governor-General's Executive Council (interim government).
➢ All members (except Governor-General & Commander-in-Chief) to be Indian.
➢ Equal representation for caste Hindus & Muslims.
➢ Function within 1935 Act (not responsible to Central Assembly).

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 ➢ Governor-General retains veto power.
➢ Parties submit joint list for nominations, or separate lists if no agreement.
➢ Negotiations for a new constitution after the war.
Reactions:
➢ Muslim League:
✓ Demanded all Muslim members be League nominees (feared marginalization by other
minorities).
✓ Wanted a "veto" - decisions needing a two-thirds majority for approval if opposed by Muslims.
➢ Congress:
✓ Objected to being seen as a "caste Hindu" party.
✓ Demanded right to nominate members from all communities.
➢ Wavell's Mistake:
✓ Announced breakdown of talks, giving League a de facto veto.
✓ Strengthened League's position and boosted Jinnah's influence.
Subhas Chandra Bose and the Indian National Army (INA)
Subhas Chandra Bose: A Revolutionary Path
➢ Early Life & Activism:
✓ Passed Indian Civil Services exam (1920s).
✓ Resigned to join freedom struggle (1921).
✓ Became Mayor of Calcutta (1923).
✓ Disagreed with Gandhi's methods, sought a more militant approach.
➢ Parting Ways with Congress:
✓ Formed Forward Bloc (1939) advocating for complete independence.
✓ Launched "Anti-Compromise Conference" (1940) opposing British war efforts.
➢ Escape and International Support:
✓ Escaped house arrest in 1941.
✓ Sought help from Russia (unsuccessful due to WW2 alliance).
✓ Reached Germany, formed "Free India Centre" and "Azad Hind Fauj" (INA) with POWs.
➢ Leadership of the INA:
✓ Moved to Southeast Asia in 1943.
✓ Took command of INA from Rashbehari Bose in Singapore.
✓ Led INA in fight against British forces alongside Japan.
✓ Became known as "Netaji" (respected leader) and gave the slogan "Jai Hind" (Victory to India).

Indian National Army (INA): Origins and First Phase (1942-1943)

Mohan Singh and the First Attempt (1942)

➢ Idea & Support:
✓ Mohan Singh, an Indian POW officer, conceived the INA with Japanese help.
✓ Japanese encouraged anti-British Indian organizations among civilians.
➢ Recruitment & Goal:
✓ POWs recruited to form an INA (Indian National Army).
✓ Goal - Act only on invitation from Indian National Congress and Indian people.
✓ Seen as a check on Japanese misconduct and potential occupation.
➢ Initial Growth (1942):
✓ Quit India Movement boosted INA's appeal.
✓ 1st INA division formed in September 1942 with 16,300 soldiers.
Friction with Japan and Leadership Change
➢ Japanese Objective: Desired a small, symbolic INA force (2,000 troops).
➢ Mohan Singh's Vision: Advocated for a much larger INA.
➢ Disagreements & Outcome:
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 ✓ Disagreements over INA's role led to Mohan Singh's detainment by the Japanese.
✓ Subhas Chandra Bose's arrival in Southeast Asia marked the INA's second phase.
Role of Rashbehari Bose (1915-1943):
➢ Fled to Japan (1915): Following failed revolutionary activities in India.
➢ Efforts in Japan:
✓ Became a Japanese citizen.
✓ Founded Indian Club of Tokyo, advocated against Western imperialism.
✓ Instrumental in getting Japan interested in Indian independence.
➢ Indian Independence League & INA Leadership:
✓ Founded the Indian Independence League in Tokyo (1942).
✓ Became the INA's leader after a conference in Bangkok (1943).
Subhas Chandra Bose Takes Charge (1943)
➢ Arrival & Negotiations:
✓ Reached Tokyo under a pseudonym (Abid Hussain) in June 1943.
✓ Met Japanese Prime Minister Tojo.
➢ Leadership Transition:
✓ Took control of the INA and Indian Independence League from Rashbehari Bose (July 1943).
✓ Built upon Rashbehari Bose's groundwork.
➢ Key Developments under Bose:
✓ Became INA's Supreme Commander on August 25, 1943.
✓ Formed the Provisional Government of Free India (October 21, 1943).
✓ Established the Azad Hind Radio.
✓ Formed the Rani Jhansi Regiment, an all-women's unit.
✓ Shifted INA headquarters to Rangoon (Burma) in January 1944.
✓ Provisional Government declared war on Britain and the US (recognized by Axis powers).
✓ Andaman and Nicobar Islands handed over to INA by Japan (renamed Shahid Dweep and Swaraj
Dweep).
✓ Addressed Mahatma Gandhi as "Father of the Nation" on Azad Hind Radio (July 6, 1944).
Military Campaigns and Challenges (1943-1944)
➢ First INA Troops on Indian Soil (March 18, 1944): Crossed the Burma border.
➢ Advance and Setbacks:
✓ INA units reached Kohima and Imphal.
✓ Faced discrimination from the Japanese (rations, arms, menial tasks).
✓ Forced retreat after Allied advances (July 18, 1944).
End of the First Phase (1945):
➢ Japanese Surrender (August 15, 1945): Sealed INA's fate.
➢ Subhas Chandra Bose's Disappearance: Reportedly died in a plane crash on August 18, 1945
(Taipei).
➢ INA POWs and the Rise of Support: Court-martialled after the war, sparking a movement in their
defense.

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