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Question
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Even though ‘August Kranti’ was a spontaneous revolt, rather than a planned movement, it was a significant milestone in the freedom struggle of India. Discuss.
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Solution
Answer:
Introduction:
August Kranti Movement is a mass national movement started in August 1942. It started when the All India Congress Committee ratified “The Quit India '' resolution at Gowalia Tank Bombay on August 8, 1942. Hence, it is also known as the “Quit India Movement”. The movement demanded an immediate end to British rule in India.
Body:
Various Development that led to the August Kranti
The non-acceptance of August Offer and failure of Cripps Mission exposed Britain's unchanged attitude on constitutional advances and forced the people to raise their voices.
There was a widespread economic discontent among people as almost every section of the society was suffering due to the hardships brought by the war which was fought for preserving and protecting British interests. For example -there was popular discontent because of rising prices and shortage of essential commodities like Rice & Salt.
Apart from these, the news of reverses' suffered by the British in South-East Asia (at the hands of Asian power i.e. Japan) boosted the public confidence.
How British withdrew from South-East Asia, leaving the subjects to their fate, exposed the racist tendencies of the rulers (two roads - One exclusively for white and the second for others to evacuate).
Immediately after ratification of “The Quit India '' resolution at Gowalia Tank Bombay on August 8, 1942, the Government arrested all the top leaders of the congress in a sweep and the movement became leaderless. The arrest of leaders led to the spontaneous outburst of mass anger all over the country for six to seven weeks. The August Kranti movement was marked with unprecedented violence & underground activities. For example - Removing railway tracks, looting treasury, blowing up bridges, burning post-office & police stations, cutting telephone lines, were not a characteristic of planned movements which were characterized by Gandhian methods and were under the INC’s leadership. Though it started after the “The Quit India '' resolution of INC but INC and Gandhiji had little control over these activities done by local groups on their own volition & initiative.
Phases of the Movement
First Phase- It was majorly concentrated in the Urban areas. There were strikes, boycott and picketing in cities all over the country. Working class participation was on a large scale.
Second Phase- The movement spread to the countryside. It was characterised by a major peasant rebellion, marked by destruction of communication systems, such as railway tracks and stations, telegraph wires and poles, attacks on government buildings or any other visible symbol of colonial authority.
Last Phase- There were formation of national governments or parallel governments in isolated pockets (Ballia, Tamluk, Satara etc.) of the country.
Significance of August Kranti Movement
It proved that it was no longer possible to rule India without the wishes of Indians.
It showed that even leaderless movements can sustain and challenge the might of the British Rule.
The great significance was that the movement placed the demand for independence on the immediate agenda of the national movement.
The common people displayed unparalleled heroism and militancy. This heightens the spirit of Nationalism and desire for independence in the people.
The slogan of “Do or Die”, which was given by Mahatma Gandhi during this movement, remains the most famous slogan till this day.
It witnessed the participation of people from all communities and ages.
It produced some great leaders like - Ram Manohar Lohiya, Jay Prakash Narayan, Y B Chavan who later played important roles in Indian politics.
The brutal force used by the Government to suppress the movement exposed the high handed nature of Britishers.
Parallel Governments helped in realisation that British power can be defeated and Indian are capable of ruling themselves efficiently.
Shortcomings of the Movement
Violent means were used on a large scale.
British were able to crush the movement in a very short time.
It was not widespread and remained active in certain pockets.
Many political groups (like the Communist Party, Hindu Mahasabha, RSS, Muslim League) remained aloof from it.
Conclusion:
The heightened spirit of Nationalism and Anti-British sentiments that developed during this movement later helped in other protests like - Revolt by Royal Navy, INA Trials etc. The combined effect of all these helped India in gaining Independence.
Introduction:
August Kranti Movement is a mass national movement started in August 1942. It started when the All India Congress Committee ratified “The Quit India '' resolution at Gowalia Tank Bombay on August 8, 1942. Hence, it is also known as the “Quit India Movement”. The movement demanded an immediate end to British rule in India.
Body:
Various Development that led to the August Kranti
The non-acceptance of August Offer and failure of Cripps Mission exposed Britain's unchanged attitude on constitutional advances and forced the people to raise their voices.
There was a widespread economic discontent among people as almost every section of the society was suffering due to the hardships brought by the war which was fought for preserving and protecting British interests. For example -there was popular discontent because of rising prices and shortage of essential commodities like Rice & Salt.
Apart from these, the news of reverses' suffered by the British in South-East Asia (at the hands of Asian power i.e. Japan) boosted the public confidence.
How British withdrew from South-East Asia, leaving the subjects to their fate, exposed the racist tendencies of the rulers (two roads - One exclusively for white and the second for others to evacuate).
Immediately after ratification of “The Quit India '' resolution at Gowalia Tank Bombay on August 8, 1942, the Government arrested all the top leaders of the congress in a sweep and the movement became leaderless. The arrest of leaders led to the spontaneous outburst of mass anger all over the country for six to seven weeks. The August Kranti movement was marked with unprecedented violence & underground activities. For example - Removing railway tracks, looting treasury, blowing up bridges, burning post-office & police stations, cutting telephone lines, were not a characteristic of planned movements which were characterized by Gandhian methods and were under the INC’s leadership. Though it started after the “The Quit India '' resolution of INC but INC and Gandhiji had little control over these activities done by local groups on their own volition & initiative.
Phases of the Movement
First Phase- It was majorly concentrated in the Urban areas. There were strikes, boycott and picketing in cities all over the country. Working class participation was on a large scale.
Second Phase- The movement spread to the countryside. It was characterised by a major peasant rebellion, marked by destruction of communication systems, such as railway tracks and stations, telegraph wires and poles, attacks on government buildings or any other visible symbol of colonial authority.
Last Phase- There were formation of national governments or parallel governments in isolated pockets (Ballia, Tamluk, Satara etc.) of the country.
Significance of August Kranti Movement
It proved that it was no longer possible to rule India without the wishes of Indians.
It showed that even leaderless movements can sustain and challenge the might of the British Rule.
The great significance was that the movement placed the demand for independence on the immediate agenda of the national movement.
The common people displayed unparalleled heroism and militancy. This heightens the spirit of Nationalism and desire for independence in the people.
The slogan of “Do or Die”, which was given by Mahatma Gandhi during this movement, remains the most famous slogan till this day.
It witnessed the participation of people from all communities and ages.
It produced some great leaders like - Ram Manohar Lohiya, Jay Prakash Narayan, Y B Chavan who later played important roles in Indian politics.
The brutal force used by the Government to suppress the movement exposed the high handed nature of Britishers.
Parallel Governments helped in realisation that British power can be defeated and Indian are capable of ruling themselves efficiently.
Shortcomings of the Movement
Violent means were used on a large scale.
British were able to crush the movement in a very short time.
It was not widespread and remained active in certain pockets.
Many political groups (like the Communist Party, Hindu Mahasabha, RSS, Muslim League) remained aloof from it.
Conclusion:
The heightened spirit of Nationalism and Anti-British sentiments that developed during this movement later helped in other protests like - Revolt by Royal Navy, INA Trials etc. The combined effect of all these helped India in gaining Independence.
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