The Quit India Movement was very different from the previous mass movements, like Civil Disobedience and Non-Cooperation, that were led by Gandhi. Talk about it. (Answer in 250 words)
The Royal Indian Navy (RIN) mutiny started on 18th February 1946, with around 1100 naval ratings of HMIS Talwar going on a strike in Bombay to protest against the treatment meted out to them including racial discrimination, unpalatable food etc. The mutiny spread and found support throughout BritishRead more
The Royal Indian Navy (RIN) mutiny started on 18th February 1946, with around 1100 naval ratings of HMIS Talwar going on a strike in Bombay to protest against the treatment meted out to them including racial discrimination, unpalatable food etc. The mutiny spread and found support throughout British India, from Karachi to Calcutta. These demands also echoed the wider national concerns including the release of INA (Indian National Army) personnel and other political prisoners, withdrawal of Indian troops from Indonesia etc. Soon people in the city joined in, which was marked by the virulent anti-British mood and resulted in the virtual paralysis of the two cities of Calcutta and Bombay. Towards the end, it was characterized by a display of solidarity by people in other parts of the country. As news reached other military establishments across India, immediate strikes began there as well.
Though the mutiny was suppressed, it is considered a landmark event in the ultimate demise of the British due to following factors:
- Widespread resentment against British rule: There was a massive outpouring of public support for the mutineers. The public transport network was brought to a halt and commercial establishments were shut down.
- Questionable loyalty of armed forces: Personnel from the other armed forces also came out in sympathetic support. In Bombay, men from the Royal Indian Air Force held strikes at work in Marine Drive, Andheri and Sion areas. Defiance of the British authority by the armed forces shook the most important pillar (armed forces) that sustained the British Empire in India.
- Naval paralysis: Since British power was hugely dependent on its naval power to maintain its offshore colonies, RIN mutiny paralyzed the navy.
- Unique show of unity: Notably, the revolting ships hoisted three flags tied together – those of the Congress, Muslim League, and the Red Flag of the Communist Party of India (CPI), signifying the unity and downplaying of communal issues among the mutineers.
- Broad scale participation: The revolt was not limited to some areas or sections of the population. The labour classes also went on strike in solidarity with the ratings. It even got the support of Communists and other Nationalists.
- Global recognition: The mutiny drew global attention towards India’s causes and issues. In the wake of the emerging cold war, both America and the Soviet Union noted this revolt. Conciliatory approach by the British: In the ensuing negotiations, the government accepted most of the demands of rebels in principle like improvement in the quality of food and living conditions of the ratings.
Many scholars have remarked that the Mutiny acted as a final nail in the coffin of the colonial government of India. The RIN Mutiny made the British government believe that it is no longer easy to rule India now, thus adding to the process of weakening of the British hold on India.
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The objective of the Non-Cooperation Movement was to halt the functioning of the government by refusing to collaborate with the administration. The Civil Disobedience Movement sought to disrupt government operations by intentionally violating certain rules and regulations. On the other hand, the QuiRead more
The objective of the Non-Cooperation Movement was to halt the functioning of the government by refusing to collaborate with the administration.
The Civil Disobedience Movement sought to disrupt government operations by intentionally violating certain rules and regulations.
See lessOn the other hand, the Quit India movement was a movement at a larger scale with the aim of putting a total end to British rule in India. It worked with the unifying zeal of spontaneous participation of the masses in comparison to the other Gandhian movements like non-cooperation and civil disobedience. The contribution of this movement stands revolutionary and upper hand in comparison to other movements due to its purpose. The revolution emphasized that India could not be ruled without the backing of the Indian people, despite the government’s claim that independence could only be granted after the war. The movement prioritised the need for total independence over all other demands.
In order to decipher its distinction from other movements, it is crucial to trace its historical trajectory. After the failure of the Cripps mission, it became clear that the British government was not willing to transfer power to the Indian people. Wrapped in this mood of frustration, fear, and hope, Gandhiji devised the plan for the complete withdrawal of British authorities from India. In August 1942, during World War II, Mahatma Gandhi initiated the Quit India Movement, a call for the abolition of British authority in India, during the All India Congress Committee conference in Bombay. Gandhiji gave a call to all sections of society to participate in the movement.The movement witnessed the groundbreaking participation of workers to women leaders. There were five important centers of the movement embracing whole India.
Unlike the other movements, the Quit India movement operated in three phases, working in urban and rural areas in the initial phases. Though the movement stood historic in unifying the spirit of protest and resilience of people, due to some political, social, and historical factors, it collapsed in its application. Still the significance and contribution to freedom cannot be denied. The Quit India movement paved way towards proliferation of freedom struggle, it clearly demonstrated the ultimate longing for liberation. Due to its staunch purpose and spirit, the Quit India movement created a strong public opinion in foreign countries in favour of India. America and China were specifically influenced by the tide of this revolution. The American President Roosevelt wrote to the Chinese Prime Minister that the best policy for the English would be to grant independence to the people of India as soon as possible.