Modern History Notes : Chapter-23 : Quit India Movement (Arora IAS Class Notes)

Chapter-23

Quit India Movement

Arora IAS Class Notes

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.
• 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: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.
• 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.
• 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
  • 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).
• 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:
  • 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.