Question map
Which one of the following observations is not true about the Quit India Movement of 1942 ?
Explanation
The Quit India Movement of 1942 was intended by Mahatma Gandhi and the Congress to be a non-violent mass struggle [3]. However, following the immediate arrest of the top leadership on August 9, 1942, the movement became 'elemental and largely spontaneous'. Deprived of central guidance, younger activists and the masses engaged in strikes, sabotage, and attacks on government property, leading to widespread violence [2]. While Gandhi initiated the movement with the 'Do or Die' call [3], his arrest meant he did not lead its actual execution, making it a leaderless uprising [2]. The movement saw massive participation from various sections, including the labour class, who organized strikes in industrial centers like Ahmedabad and Bombay. Therefore, the observation that it was a non-violent movement is incorrect, as it is historically characterized by its radicalism and departure from traditional Gandhian non-violence.
Sources
- [1] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 23: Quit India Movement, Demand for Pakistan, and the INA > The 'Quit India' Resolution > p. 448
- [3] India and the Contemporary World – II. History-Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Nationalism in India > Quit India Movement > p. 49
- [2] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART III, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 11: MAHATMA GANDHI AND THE NATIONALIST MOVEMENT > 4. Quit India > p. 303