Indian History: Quit India Movement and Act of 1935

Act of 1935

• The Act made a provision for British governed Indian provinces and Princely States to form a federation.
• It allowed Indian representatives to take over the working of British governed provinces.
• The Princely States refused to join the federation, fearing loss of autonomy.

Provincial Cabinets

• The Indian National Congress participated in the 1937 elections for Provincial legislature.
• The Congress gained majority in eight provinces and formed governments.
• The Congress Cabinets implemented various reforms, including:
  • Release of political prisoners from jail
  • Introduction of basic education
  • Prohibition of liquor
  • Measures to improve the condition of Dalits
  • Debt relief to farmers

Cripps Mission

• The British Prime Minister Winston Churchill sent Sir Stafford Cripps to India in 1942.
• Cripps proposed a plan for India's future, but it was rejected by all political parties.
• The Indian National Congress rejected the proposal due to the lack of clear mention of complete independence.
• The Muslim League also rejected the proposal due to the lack of mention of creation of Pakistan.

Second World War and Indian National Congress

• The Second World War began in Europe in 1939.
• The Viceroy Lord Linlithgo declared that India had joined the war on the side of the British.
• The Indian National Congress demanded freedom for India in exchange for supporting the war effort.
• England refused to grant freedom, leading to the resignation of Congress provincial ministers in November 1939.

Quit India Movement

• The Indian National Congress decided to launch an intense movement for independence after the Cripps mission.
• The Quit India Resolution was passed on 14 July 1942 at Wardha.
• The resolution demanded immediate independence and threatened a non-violent movement if the demand was not met.
• The resolution was approved at the Mumbai session on 7 August 1942, with Maulana Abul Kalam Azad as the President.

Learn about the Quit India Movement, underground movement, and the contributions of the Indian National Army during the Indian freedom struggle. Explore the provisions and consequences of the Act of 1935 that aimed to transfer power to Indian representatives.