Quit India Movement & the INA (1942–45)
The final mass upsurge — the Cripps Mission's failure, the Quit India Movement of 1942, and Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj).
Key Takeaways
- The Quit India Movement began on 8 August 1942 in Bombay with Gandhi's call of 'Do or Die'.
- It was largely leaderless and spontaneous, as leaders were arrested the next morning.
- Subhas Chandra Bose reorganised the Indian National Army (INA) to win freedom by armed struggle.
Core concept
By 1942, with the Japanese advancing in the east and British promises hollow, Indian patience ran out. The failure of the Cripps Mission triggered the Quit India Movement — a demand for an immediate British withdrawal. Simultaneously, Subhas Chandra Bose pursued freedom through armed struggle abroad.
Static foundation — the Cripps Mission (1942)
Sir Stafford Cripps offered dominion status after the war and the right of provinces to secede. Congress rejected it — Gandhi is reported to have called it a 'post-dated cheque' (the popular 'on a crashing bank' embellishment is of doubtful authenticity).
The 1942 Upsurge
- Mar 1942
Cripps Mission
Offers post-war dominion status; rejected by all parties.
- 8 Aug 1942
Quit India Resolution
Passed at the Bombay AICC; Gandhi gives the mantra 'Do or Die'.
- 9 Aug 1942
Leaders arrested
Gandhi, Nehru, Patel and others jailed; the movement turns leaderless and militant.
- 1942–43
Parallel governments
Established at Ballia, Tamluk and Satara — a striking act of self-rule.
Quit India vs the INA
| Feature | Quit India Movement | Indian National Army (INA) |
|---|---|---|
| Leadership | Gandhi's call; then largely spontaneous | Subhas Chandra Bose (from 1943) |
| Method | Non-violent mass movement (turned militant) | Armed struggle alongside Japan |
| Base | Across India | South-East Asia (Singapore, Burma) |
| Legacy | Showed Indians would no longer be ruled | INA trials (1945–46) sparked a nationwide wave of sympathy |
Subhas Chandra Bose & the INA
Bose resigned from the Congress presidency (1939) and founded the Forward Bloc. Escaping to Germany and then Japan, he took over the INA (Azad Hind Fauj) in 1943, set up the Provisional Government of Free India (Azad Hind) in Singapore, and formed the Rani of Jhansi Regiment of women soldiers. Slogans: 'Delhi Chalo' and 'Jai Hind'. The INA trials at the Red Fort made him a national hero.
Relevance & legacy
Quit India and the INA trials convinced Britain that holding India was no longer tenable — especially after the Royal Indian Navy Mutiny (1946). Bose remains one of the most revered figures of the freedom struggle. (Add any recent commemoration, e.g., statues/naming, if relevant.)
Prelims trap zones
- Quit India began on 8 August 1942 (Bombay); leaders were arrested on 9 August.
- Aruna Asaf Ali is linked to the Gowalia Tank flag-hoisting.
- The INA was first founded by Mohan Singh (1942); Bose reorganised and led it from 1943.
Knowledge Check
2 questions · check your understanding
1. Who described the Cripps Mission's offer as 'a post-dated cheque'?
2. The slogan 'Give me blood, and I will give you freedom' is associated with:
Prelims Pointers
- The Cripps Mission (1942) offered dominion status after the war — 'a post-dated cheque'.
- Aruna Asaf Ali hoisted the flag at Gowalia Tank (Bombay) during Quit India.
- Parallel governments arose at Ballia, Tamluk (Bengal) and Satara (Maharashtra).
- Bose gave the slogans 'Delhi Chalo' and 'Give me blood, and I will give you freedom'.
Mains Angle
- 'Quit India was the least organised but the most militant of the mass movements.' Discuss.
- Assess the contribution of Subhas Chandra Bose and the INA to India's freedom.
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