The Quit India Movement (Bharat Chhodo Andolan) or the August Movement was a civil disobedience movement in India launched in August 1942 in response to Gandhi’s call for immediate independence of India. The aim was to bring the British Government to the negotiating table by holding the Allied War Effort hostage. The call for determined but passive resistance that signified the certitude that Gandhi foresaw for the movement is best described by his call to Do or Die, issued on 8 August at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay, since re-named August Kranti Maidan (August Revolution Ground). However, almost the entire Congress leadership, and not merely at the national level, was put into confinement less than twenty-four hours after Gandhi’s speech, and the greater number of the Congress leaders were to spend the rest of the war in jail.
At the outbreak of war, the Congress Party had during the Wardha meeting of the working-committee in September 1939, passed a resolution conditionally supporting the fight against fascism, but were rebuffed when they asked for independence in return. The draft proposed that if the British did not accede to the demands, a massive Civil Disobedience would be launched. However, it was an extremely controversial decision. The Congress had lesser success in rallying other political forces under a single flag and mast.
On August 8, 1942 the Quit India resolution was passed at the Bombay session of the All India Congress Committee (AICC). At Gowalia Tank, Mumbai Gandhi urged Indians to follow a non-violent civil disobedience. Gandhi told the masses to act as an independent nation and not to follow the orders of the British. The British, already alarmed by the advance of the Japanese army to the India–Burma border, responded the next day by imprisoning Gandhi at the Aga Khan Palace in Pune. The Congress Party’s Working Committee, or national leadership was arrested all together and imprisoned at the Ahmednagar Fort. They also banned the party altogether. Large-scale protests and demonstrations were held all over the country. Workers remained absent en masse and strikes were called. The movement also saw widespread acts of sabotage, Indian under-ground organisation carried out bomb attcks on allied supply convoys, government buildings were set on fire, electricity lines were disconnected and transport and communication lines were severed.
The British swiftly responded by mass detentions. A total over 100,000 arrests were made nationwide, mass fines were levied, bombs were airdropped and demonstrators were subjected to public flogging.
The movement soon became a leaderless act of defiance, with a number of acts that deviated from Gandhi’s principle of non-violence. In large parts of the country, the local underground organisations took over the movement. However, by 1943, Quit India had petered out.
Independence, 1947 to 1950
On 3 June 1947, Viscount Lord Louis Mountbatten, the last British Governor-General of India, announced the partitioning of the British Indian Empire into a secular India and a Muslim Pakistan. At midnight, on 15 August 1947, India became an independent nation. Violent clashes between Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs followed. Prime Minister Nehru and Deputy Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel invited Lord Mountbatten to continue as Governor General of India. He was replaced in June 1948 by Chakravarti Rajagopalachari. Patel took on the responsibility of unifying 565 princely states, steering efforts by his “iron fist in a velvet glove” policies, exemplified by the use of military force to integrate Junagadh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Hyderabad state into India.
The Constituent Assembly completed the work of drafting the constitution on 26 November 1949; on 26 January 1950 the Republic of India was officially proclaimed. The Constituent Assembly elected Dr. Rajendra Prasad as the first President of India, taking over from Governor General Rajgopalachari. Subsequently, a free and sovereign India absorbed two other territories: Goa (liberated from Portuguese control in 1961) and Pondicherry (which the French ceded in 1953–1954). In 1952, India held its first general elections, with a voter turnout exceeding 62%; this made it the world’s largest democracy.
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Indian Freedom Fighters
74 years ago, on the historic date of 15th August 1947, India became free from British domination. It was the culmination of numerous movements and struggles that were rife throughout the time of British rule, including the historic revolt of 1857. This independence was achieved through the efforts of many revolutionary freedom fighters, who took the lead in organising the struggle which led to India’s independence. Although they were of varied ideologies ranging from moderates to extremists, their contribution to India’s freedom struggle has been immortalized in the minds of every Indian.
We have made best efforts to present some of the most prominent freedom activists and revolutionaries who made immense contribution towards India’s struggle for freedom.
Tantia Tope (1814–1859)
Tantia Tope was one of the Indian rebellions of 1857. He served as a general and led a group of Indian soldiers against the British. He was an ardent follower of Nana Sahib of Bithur and continued to fight on his behalf when Nana was forced to retreat by the British army. Tantia even forced General Windham to retreat from Kanpur and helped Rani Lakshmi of Jhansi to retain Gwalior.
Nana Sahib (1824 – 1857)
After leading a group of rebellions during the 1857 uprising, Nana Sahib defeated the British forces in Kanpur. He even killed the survivors, sending a hard-hitting message to the British camp. Nana Sahib was also known as an able administrator and is said to have led around 15,000 Indian soldiers.
Kunwar Singh (1777-1858)
At the age of 80, Kunwar Singh led a group of soldiers against the British in Bihar. Using guerrilla warfare tactics, Kunwar bedazzled the British troops and managed to defeat the forces of Captain le Grand near Jagdispur. Kunwar Singh is known for his bravery and was fondly called as Veer Kunwar Singh.
Rani Lakshmi Bai (1828–1858)
One of the key members of India’s first war of independence, Rani Lakshmi Bai went on to inspire thousands of women to join the fight for freedom. On 23 March, 1858 Lakshmi Bai defended her palace and the entire city of Jhansi when it was threatened to be captured by British troops led by Sir Hugh Rose.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak (1856-1920)
Bal Gangadhar Tilak was one of the most prominent freedom fighters of India who inspired thousands with the slogan – “Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it”. As a form of protest against the British, Tilak established schools and published rebellious newspapers. He was famous as one of the trios – Bal, Pal and Lal. People loved him and accepted him as one of their leaders and so, he was called Lokmanya Tilak.
Mangal Pandey (1827-1857)
Mangal Pandey is said to have played a key role in inspiring Indian soldiers to start the great rebellion of 1857. Working as a soldier for the British East India Company, Pandey started firing at English officials and caught them unawares. His attack is regarded as the first step of the Indian rebellion that started in 1857.
Begum Hazrat Mahal (1820–1879)
Working along with leaders like Nana Saheb and Maulavi of Faizabad, Begum Hazrat Mahal rebelled against the British during the revolt of 1857. She was successful in taking control of Lucknow after leading the troops in her husband’s absence. She rebelled against the demolition of temples and mosques before retreating to Nepal.
Ashfaqulla Khan (1900–1927)
Ashfaqulla Khan was a firebrand among the young revolutionaries, who sacrificed his life for the sake of his motherland. He was an important member of the Hindustan Republican Association. Khan, along with his associates, executed the train robbery at Kakori for which he was arrested and executed by the British.
Rani Gaidinliu (1915–1993)
Rani Gaidinliu was a political leader who revolted against the British rule. She joined a political movement at the age of 13 and fought for the evacuation of British rulers from Manipur and the neighbouring areas. Unable to withstand her protests, the British arrested her when she was just 16 years old and sentenced her to life imprisonment.
Bipin Chandra Pal (7 November 1858 – 20 May 1932)
Bipin Chandra Pal was one of the key members of the Indian National Congress and a prominent freedom fighter. He advocated the abandonment of foreign goods. He, along with Lala Lajpat Rai and Bal Gangadhar Tilak, spearheaded many revolutionary activities. For this reason, he is called as the ‘Father of Revolutionary Thoughts.’
Chandra Shekhar Azad (23 July 1906 – 27 February 1931)
One of the close associates of Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar Azad is credited for reorganizing Hindustan Republican Association. Azad, as he was popularly called, is known as one of the bravest freedom fighters of India. At the time of being surrounded by British soldiers, he killed many of them and shot himself to death with the last bullet of his Colt pistol. He did so, as he never wanted to be captured alive.
Hakim Ajmal Khan (11 Feb 1868 – 29 December 1927)
A physician by profession, Hakim Ajmal Khan founded the Jamia Millia Islamia University before participating in the fight for freedom. He joined the Khilafat movement along with other famous Muslim leaders like Shaukat Ali and Maulana Azad. In 1906, Hakim Ajmal Khan led a group of Muslim men and women who gave a memorandum to the Viceroy of India.
Chittaranjan Das (5 November 1869 – 16 June 1925)
Chittaranjan Das founded the Swaraj Party and was an active participant in the Indian National Movement. A lawyer by profession, Chittaranjan is credited for successfully defending Aurobindo Ghosh when the latter was charged under a criminal case by the British. Popularly known as Deshbandhu, Chittaranjan Das is best known for mentoring Subhas Chandra Bose.
Sidhu Murmu and Kanhu Murmu
In 1855, Sidhu Murmu and Kanhu Murmu led a group of 10,000 Santal people in order to revolt against British colonists in eastern India. The movement, which came to be known as the Santhal rebellion, took the British by surprise. The movement was so successful that the British government had no choice but to announce a bounty of Rs. 10,000 to those who were willing to capture Sidhu and his brother Kanhu.
Birsa Munda (15 November 1875 – June 9 1900)
Principally a religious leader, Birsa Munda used the religious beliefs of his tribe in order to revolt against the government of British. He implemented guerrilla warfare techniques to upset the rhythm of the British troops. In 1900, Birsa, along with his army, was arrested by the British soldiers. He was later convicted and was lodged in a jail in Ranchi.
Tilka Manjhi (11 February 1750 – 1784)
Approximately 100 years before Mangal Pandey took up arms to fight against the British, Tilka Manjhi gave up his life trying to do exactly the same. Manjhi was the first rebellion to fight for the Indian independence. He led a group of Adivasis to fight against the exploitation of the British.
Surya Sen (22 March 1894 – 12 January 1934)
Surya Sen is credited for planning and executing a raid that aimed at seizing the weapons of police forces from the Chittagong armoury of British India. He led a battalion of armed Indians to carry out the task. He is known for turning youngsters into firebrand revolutionaries. Surya Sen is among thousands of young Indians who lost their lives, battling for an independent India.
Subramania Bharati (11 December 1882 – 11 Sept 1921)
A poet by profession, Subramania Bharati used his literary skills to inspire thousands of Indians during the independence movement. His works were often impassioned and patriotic in nature. In 1908, Bharati had to flee to Puducherry when the British government issued an arrest warrant against him. A prominent member of the Indian National Congress, Bharati continued his revolutionary activities from Puducherry.
Dadabhai Naoroji (4 September 1825 – 30 June 1917)
Credited with establishing the Indian National Congress, Dadabhai Naoroji is remembered as one of the most prominent members to have participated in the independence movement. In one of the books published by him, he wrote about the colonial rule of the British which was precisely aimed at looting wealth from India.
Khudiram Bose (3 December 1889 – 11 August 1908)
Khudiram Bose was one of those young revolutionaries and freedom fighters whose deeds of bravery went on to become the subject of folklore. He was one of those brave men who challenged the British rule and gave them a taste of their own medicine. At the age of 19, he was martyred, with ‘Vande Mataram’ being his last words.
Lakshmi Sahgal (24 October 1914 – 23 July 2012)
A doctor by profession, Lakshmi Sahgal, popularly known as Captain Lakshmi, encouraged women to join the troop led by Subhas Chandra Bose. She took the initiative of forming a women’s regiment and named it ‘Rani of Jhansi regiment’. Lakshmi fought vigorously for the Indian independence before she was arrested by the British government in 1945.
Lala Har Dayal (14 October 1884 – 4 March 1939)
A revolutionary among Indian nationalists, Lala Har Dayal turned down a lucrative job offer and went on to inspire hundreds of non-resident Indians to fight against the atrocities of the British Empire. In 1909, he served as the editor of Bande Mataram, a nationalist publication founded by the Paris Indian Society.
Lala Lajpat Rai (28 January 1865 – 17 November 1928)
One of the most important members of the Indian National Congress, Lala Lajpat Rai is often revered for leading a protest against the Simon Commission. During the protest, he was assaulted by James A. Scott, the superintendent of police, which ultimately played a role in his death. He was a part of the famous triumvirate called ‘Lal Bal Pal.’
Mahadev Govind Ranade (18 January 1842 – 16 Jan 1901)
Mahadev Govind Ranade was one of the key founding members of Indian National Congress. Apart from serving as Bombay High Court’s judge, Mahadev Govind worked as a social reformer, encouraging women empowerment and widow remarriage. He understood that India’s fight for freedom can never be successful without a social reform which was the need of the hour.
Mahatma Gandhi (2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948)
Mahatma Gandhi led the Indian independence movement and was successful in freeing India from the clutches of the British. He employed non-violence and engaged in various movements as part of his inspiring protest against the British rule. He went on to become the most significant freedom fighter and hence is called as the ‘Father of the Nation.’
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (11 November 1888 – 22 Feb 1958)
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was an active member of the Indian National Congress and a great freedom fighter. Maulana Azad took part in most of the important movements. He presided over the special session of Congress in September 1923 and at the age of 35 he became the youngest man to be elected as the President of the Congress.
Ram Manohar Lohia (23 March 1910 – 12 October 1967)
One of the founding members of the Congress Socialist Party, Ram Manohar Lohia was an active member of the Indian independence movement. Lohia was a key member in organizing the Quit India Movement, for which he was arrested and tortured in 1944. He even worked for the Congress Radio which operated secretly, propagandizing anti-British messages.
Ram Prasad Bismil (11 June 1897 – 19 December 1927)
Ram Prasad Bismil was one of those young revolutionaries who sacrificed his life for the sake of his motherland. Bismil was one of the most important members of the Hindustan Republican Association and also a prominent member of the group that was involved in the Kakori train robbery. He was sentenced to death by the British government for his involvement in the famous train robbery.
Ram Singh Kuka (3 February 1816 – 18 January 1872)
Ram Singh Kuka was a social reformer, who is hailed as the first Indian to have initiated the non-cooperation movement by refusing to use British merchandise and services. Like Mahadev Govind Ranade, he too, understood the importance of social reforms in order to stand strong against the British rule. Hence Ram Singh Kuka gave much importance to social reforms.
Rash Behari Bose (25 May 1886 – 21 January 1945)
Rash Behari Bose was one of the most important revolutionaries who tried to assassinate Lord Hardinge, the then Viceroy of India. Along with other revolutionaries, Bose is credited for organizing Ghadar Mutiny and the Indian National Army. He was also involved in persuading the Japanese to help the Indians in their struggle for freedom.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (31 October 1875 – 15 December 1950)
His brave deeds earned Vallabhbhai Patel the title, ‘the iron man of India.’ For his role in the Bardoli Satyagraha, Patel came to be known as Sardar. Though he was a famous lawyer, Sardar Patel gave up his profession in order to fight for the freedom of the country. After the independence, he became the deputy Prime Minister of India and played an important role in the integration of India by merging numerous princely states with the Indian Union.
Bhagat Singh (1907 – 23
March 1931)
The name Bhagat Singh is synonymous with sacrifice, courage, bravery and vision. By sacrificing his life at the age of 30, Bhagat Singh became an inspiration and a symbol of heroism. Along with other revolutionaries, Bhagat Singh founded the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association. To remind the British government of its misdeeds, Bhagat Singh hurled a bomb in the Central Legislative Assembly. By embracing death at a young age, Singh became a symbol of sacrifice and courage, thereby residing forever in the hearts of every Indian.
Shivaram Rajguru (26 August 1908 – 23 March 1931)
A member of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association, Shivaram Rajguru was a close associate of Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev. Shivaram is mainly remembered for his involvement in the assassination of John Saunders, a young British police officer. With an intention of killing James Scott, the police superintendent who had assaulted Lala Lajpat Rai just two weeks before his death, Shivaram mistook John for James and shot him to death.
Subhas Chandra Bose (23 January 1897 – 18 August 1945)
Popularly known as Netaji, Subhas Chandra Bose was a fierce freedom fighter and popular leader on the political horizon of pre-independent India. Bose was elected as the President of the Indian National Congress in 1937 and 1939. He founded the Indian National Army and raised the famous slogans, ‘Delhi Chalo’ and ‘Tum Mujhe Khoon Do main Tumhe Ajadi Doonga.’ For his anti-British remarks and activities, Bose was jailed 11 times between 1920 and 1941. He was the leader of the youth wing of Congress Party.
Sukhdev (15 May 1907 – 23 March 1931)
One of the key members of Hindustan Socialist Republican Association, Sukhdev was a revolutionary and a close associate of Bhagat Singh and Shivaram Rajguru. He too, was involved in the killing of John Saunders, a British police officer. Sukhdev was captured, along with Bhagat Singh and Shivaram Rajguru, and was martyred at the age of 24.
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar (28 May 1883 – 26 February 1966)
The founder of Abhinav Bharat Society and Free India Society, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was an activist and was popularly known as Swatantryaveer Savarkar. Also an eminent writer, Savarkar published a book titled ‘The Indian War of Independence’ that spoke about the struggles of the Indian mutiny of 1857.
Aruna Asaf Ali (16 July 1909 – 29 July 1996)
An active independence activist and member of the Congress Party, Aruna Asaf Ali is remembered for her participation in various movements including Salt Satyagraha and Quit India Movement. During the Quit India Movement, she risked being arrested by hoisting the INC flag in Bombay. She was arrested on many occasions for her revolutionary activities and was lodged in jail until 1931 when political prisoners were released under the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.
Madan Mohan Malaviya (25 December 1861 – 12 Nov 1946)
An important participant of the Non-Cooperation Movement, Madan Mohan Malaviya served as the President of Indian National Congress on two different occasions. On 25 April, 1932, he was arrested for his participation in the Civil Disobedience Movement. Malaviya was also a central figure during the protests against the Simon Commission in 1928.
Sucheta Kriplani (25 June 1908 – 1 December 1974)
The founder of ‘All India Mahila Congress’, Sucheta Kriplani became an important associate of Gandhi during the Partition riots. Along with other freedom fighters like Aruna Asaf Ali and Usha Mehta, Sucheta became an important member of the Quit India Movement. She was also active in politics post-independence and became the country’s first woman Chief Minister.
Rajkumari Amrit Kaur (2 February 1889 – 6 Feb 1964)
A co-founder of the All India Women’s Conference, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur was one of the most important members of Dandi March in 1930. After being imprisoned for her participation in the Dandi March, Amrit Kaur went on to actively participate in the Quit India Movement for which she was once again jailed by the British authorities.
Udham Singh (26 December 1899 – 31 July 1940)
Udham Singh was one of the most important and famous revolutionaries who took part in the Indian independence movement. He is remembered for avenging the Jallianwala Bagh massacre by brutally murdering Sir Michael O’Dwyer on March 13, 1940. For his act, Udham Singh was convicted and was eventually sentenced to death.
Madan Lal Dhingra (8 February 1883 – 17 August 1909)
One of the earliest revolutionaries who sacrificed his life for the sake of his motherland, Madan Lal Dhingra served as an inspiration to other important revolutionaries, such as Bhagat Singh and Chandrasekhar Azad. When he was studying Mechanical Engineering in England, Dhingra murdered Sir William Hutt Curzon Wyllie for which he was sentenced to death.
Kartar Singh Sarabha (24 May 1896 – 16 November 1915)
Kartar Singh Sarabha was one of the most famous revolutionaries who sacrificed his life at the age of 19. Sarabha joined the Ghadar Party, an organization formed to protest against the British rule, at the age of 17. He, along with his men, was arrested when a member of the Ghadar Party betrayed them by informing the police about their hiding place.
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (6 February 1890 – 20 Jan 1988)
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was one of those independence activists who opposed the partition of India at the time of its independence. Popularly known as Bacha Khan, he advocated non-violence and wanted a secular country. In 1929, he initiated the ‘Khudai Khidmatgar’ movement, which gave the British a run for their money. Since his principles were similar to that of Mahatma Gandhi’s, he worked closely with Gandhi in all his endeavors.
While rooted in your own cultural or religious tradition and yet be able to admire, interact with and learn about others’ traditions is what interfaith is – much needed in the multicultural polity and world we are living in.
