ICSE Solutions and Questions Answers for Quit India Movement Class 10 History
We are going to learn the ICSE Solutions of ninth chapter of the History textbook of Class 10. The name of the chapter is Quit India Movement. All types of questions including very short answer type, short answer type, structured questions and questions based on picture perception has been provided. This ICSE solutions for Quit India Movement will help the students in learning the chapter outcome.
| Name of the chapter | Quit India Movement |
| Subject | History and Civics |
| Topics covered |
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| Related Readings |
Very Short Questions
1. What was the Day of Deliverance?
Answer
The Day of Deliverance is December 22, 1939. It was the day that Muslim League President Muhammad Ali Jinnah decided, should be the day to celebrate the resignation of all members of the rival Congress party from provincial and central offices.
2. When and by whom was the August offer made?
Answer
August offer was announced on August 8, 1940 by the Viceroy, Lord Linlithgow.
3. Why was the August Offer rejected by the Congress? Give one reason.
Answer
Through the government proposed to set up a constitutional body, but no time limit was given within which the Constitution making body was to be set up.
4. When did the individual Satyagraha campaign start?
Answer
The Satyagraha started on 17 October 1940.
5. Who was selected as the first satyagrahi during the Individual Satyagraha of 1940?
Answer
Acharya Vinoba Bhave was selected as the first Satyagrahi.
6. What was the proposal of Cripps Mission regarding the Princely states?
Answer
The Princely states would be free to join the Indian Union or to stay out.
7. Why was Sir Stafford Cripps sent to India in 1842?
Answer
Sir Stafford Cripps was sent to India to break the political deadlock between Indian leaders and the British Government.
7. When and where was the Quit India Resolution passed?
Answer
Quit India Resolution was finally passed on 8 August 1942 in Mumbai.
8. What was the major cause of the failure of the Quit India Movement?
Answer
Lack of co-ordination and lack of clear cut programme were the two major causes of the failure of the movement.
Answer
As the Indians failed to solve their constitutional problems, the British Government passed the Government of India Act of 1935 on the basis of the white paper.
Answer
The Quit India Movement, was known, as the August Revolution.
Answer
Sir Stafford Cripps was sent to India to break the political deadlock between Indian leaders and the British Government.
Answer
India would be given Dominion Status immediately after the end of Second World War.
Answer
The Princely states would be free to join the Indian Union or to stay out.
Answer
The proposal for the acceptance of partition and creation of Pakistan was opposed by every political party in India.
Answer
The proposal of the Cripps Mission was rejected by the Muslim League because it felt that the prospect of achieving Pakistan was bleak.
Answer
Punjab, Afghan, Kashmir, Sindh and Baluchistan.
17. What was the proposal of Cripps Mission regarding the Princely States?
Answer
The Princely States would be free to join the Indian Union or to stay out.
Short Answer Questions
1. Discuss the social and political background on which Quit India Movement was staged?
Answer
- Rise of socialist ideas in freedom movement and formation of Congress Socialist Party.
- Growth of political movements in princely states (Praja Mandal).
- Government of India Act (1935): Federal part never come into effect but the provincial part was implemented. Formation of Congress Ministries in 1937.
2. List a few events which led to Quit India Movement?
Answer
- Outbreak of World War II in Europe, brought the British Government under pressure. Britain dragged India into the war without the opinion of the Indians being taken.
- Opposition of Congress to the war, led to resignation of ministries by the Congress in October-November 1939. British reaction to the resignations was positive. Viceroy was happy.
- Muslim League celebrates this resignation - Deliverance Day'. The League in 1940 passed a resolution in its Lahore Session to form Pakistan.
3. How did the Two Nation Theory lead to partition of India?
Answer
- In 1930 Sir Muhammad lqbal at a meeting of the Muslim League advocated that a State in north-west India must be the final destiny for Muslims.
- In 1933 a group of young Muslims led by Rahmat All proposed an entirely separate country, and he coined the term 'Pakistan'.
- In 1940 the Muslim League passed a resolution demanding the partition of the country and the creation of a separate State called Pakistan.
4. Why did British initiate the August offer in 1940?
Answer
England under constant air raids; tried to seek support of Indian leaders to strengthen war efforts. Therefore, Lord Linlithgow (Viceroy) put forward a set of proposals which was called as 'August Offer'.
5. Mention the proposals or main features of the August Offer of 1940.
Answer
(i) Indians can draft a Constitution for themselves after the war.
(ii) Constituent Assembly to be formed once war was over.
(iii) Protection of minorities rights was ensured.
(iv) Viceroys Executive Council to be expanded to include more Indians.
(v) In return, Indians should co-operate with Britain in war.
6. What do you mean by Individual Satyagraha?
Answer
In Oct. 1940, Congress working committee called for 'Individual Satyagraha'. As per Gandhiji's plan, selected individuals will make anti war speech, thereby breaking the law, and will offer themselves for arrest. The first satyagrahi was Acharya Vinoba Shave. Thousands of satyagrahis were arrested including J.L. Nehru, Sarojini Naidu, C. Rajagopalachari etc. They were later released in Dec. 1941.
7. When and why was the Cripps Mission sent to India?
Answer
Reasons for arrival of Cripps Mission:
- Non-cooperation in war from Congress.
- Rapid advancements of Japan in S.E. Asia, whereby Japan had captured parts of Burma. The War Cabinet of Winston Churchill sent Stafford Cripps to negotiate with Indian Leaders in 1942. The Cripps Mission was sent to make a definite offer to the Indians on behalf of the British government.
8. When was Quit India Resolution passed?
Answer
Quit India Resolution was adopted at Wardha in July 1942. The All India Congress Working Committee passed it on August 8, 1942 at Bombay.
9. What were the circumstances during the Second World War which forced the national leaders to launch the Quit India Movement?
Answer
During the Second World War, there was a growing threat of Japanese invasion on India. The Congress leaders were of the view that to save India from the Japanese attack it was necessary that the British withdrew from India.
10. What were the proposals of Cripps Mission.
Answer
- India to be given a dominion status after the war.
- Constituent Assembly to be formed after the war, to draft Constitution.
- A Federation of India to be created; if any province did not want to join can become a different dominion.
- Princely states will have an option either to join India or remain under British.
- Till war goes on Viceroy will head the government.
11. Why did the Cripps Mission fail?
Answer
Following are the reasons for failure of Cripps Mission:
- It did not promise total independence.
- Contained seeds of partition.
- League opposed as the Cripss Mission did not specifically speak of Pakistan. Right to self determination not given to Muslims.
- Congress opposed it as principle of optional accession of provinces and princely states would lead to a weak Centre.
- Gandhiji referred Cripps Mission as 'post dated cheque on failing bank'.
12. State briefly the reasons of Quit India Movement?
Answer
Japan's expansion towards Indo Burmese borders during World War-II was threatful. As per Gandhiji existence of British rule in India was an invitation to Japanese invasion.
21. Why was the Cripps Mission rejected by the Muslim League?
Answer
The proposal of the Cripps Mission was rejected by the Muslim League because it felt that the prospect of achieving Pakistan was bleak.
13. Why was Sir Stafford Cripps sent to India in 1942?
Answer
Sir Stafford Cripps was sent to India to break the political deadlock between Indian leaders and the British Government.
14. Name the provinces in which Congress won with overwhelming victory in elections of July 1937.
Answer
Eight out of eleven provinces where Congress won were as follows: United Provinces, Central Provinces, Orissa, Bihar, Madras, Bombay, Assam and North West Frontier Province.
15. Which clause of August Offer (1940) favoured the Muslim League?
Answer
The Muslim League was assured that no constitutional scheme would be accepted by the government unless and until it was agreed to by the minorities.
Answer
- The British Government implicated India in the Second World War without the consent of the Indians.
- The Congress wanted a definite assurance from the British Government regarding independence but that assurance never came. Consequently, the Congress Ministers resigned in November 1939.
Answer
The British Government felt relieved by the resignation of the Congress Ministers because they controlled eight out of the eleven provinces and had the power to impair the war efforts of the Government.
Answer
The Muslim League was jubilant over the resignation of the Congress Ministers. The Muslim League decided to celebrate the day as 'Deliverance Day'. The Muslim League saw it as an opportunity to show its loyalty to the Government and promised all to help in the War efforts on one condition, that no constitutional scheme would be finalised without its approval.
Answer
Sir Stafford Cripps was the member of the British War Cabinet. He was sent to India in 1942 with a fresh proposal for giving dominion status to India, as a first step towards full independence.
Answer
- After the conclusion of the war, steps would be taken to set up an elected body for framing a new constitution for India.
- Provision would be made for the native states to participate in the constitution making body.
- The members from British India would be elected by the Provincial Legislative Assemblies.
- Representatives of Princely States would be nominated by the rulers.
Answer
The following circumstances led to the passage of the Act of 1935:
- The Third Round Table Conference held in November-December 1932 issued a white paper in March 1993 which gave details of the working of the new constitution promulgated under the Act.
- The Poona Pact which had replaced the Communal Award, doubled the number of seats for backward classes which were to be filled by a common joint electorate. The Act of 1935 was its first testing ground.
- In June 1933 Gandhiji suspended the Civil Disobedience Movement and it was finally withdrawn in May 1935. The British now wanted to appease the leader with some constitutional reforms.
Answer
The Act of 1935 provided for the creation of an All India Federation consisting of the eleven British provinces and princely states acceded to the federation. The Act of 1935 abolished the dyarachy and replaced it by provincial autonomy. A system of responsible government in the provinces was introduced.
Answer
The August Offer was made by Lord Linlithgow in 1940 to end the political deadlock which had occurred during the Second World War. The Congress on 27th July, 1940 made an offer of co-operation in the War, provided its demand for independence was conceded and a provisional national Government responsible to the Central Assembly was formed at the Centre. In response to this, the Government made an offer known as August Offer.
Answer
August offer contained the following proposals:
- After the war a representative Indian body would be set up immediately to frame a Constitution for India.
- The present Viceroy's Executive Council would be expanded without delay to include Indian leaders.
- The Government also reaffirmed its desire to give full weight to the opinion of the Indian Ministers.
Answer
On 8 August 1940, Viceroy Lord Linlithgow made an offer to end the political deadlock. However, August offer was rejected as it failed to satisfy the congress leaders on the following grounds: first, the August offer proposed for the formation of constitution of India. But, there was no time limit proposed within which the constitution making body was to be set up. Second, on the issue of the expansion of executive council no consensus was reached out. Third, the offer contained provisions which could divide India into number of states.
Answer
The proposals of the Cripps mission are as follows:
India would be given Dominion Status immediately after the war. A Constituent Assembly would be set up. The members from British India would be elected by the Provincial Legislative Assemblies, whereas representatives of Princely States would be nominated by their rulers. The Provinces not consenting to the new constitution would be free to have their own constitution. Provisions would also be made for the protection of the racial and religious minorities. The control and direction of the defence of India would be the responsibility of his Majesty's Government.
Structured Questions
1. Japanese success in the East prompted the British Government to send the Cripps Mission to India. In this context, state:
(a) The proposals of the Cripps Mission.
(b) Reasons for its rejection by the Congress.
(c) Reasons for its rejection by other communities.
(d) Reasons for its rejection by the Muslim League.
Answer
(a) (i) India would be given Dominion Status immediately after the war. There would be a federation of British India and Indian Princely States. Any province that was not prepared to accept the Constitution would be allowed to obtain Dominion Status separately.
(ii) A Constituent Assembly would be set up. The members from British-India would be elected by the Provincial Legislative Assemblies, whereas representatives of Princely States would be nominated by their rulers.
(iii) The Provinces not consenting to the new constitution would be free to have their own constitution.
(iv) Provisions would also be made for the protection of the racial and religious minorities.
(v) The control and direction of the defence of India would be the responsibility of His Majesty's Government and the powers of the Viceroy would remain intact.
(b) The proposals were rejected by the Congress because:
(i) It contained provision which could divide India into hundreds of independent provinces.
(ii) There was no time limit within which the constitution making body was to be set up.
(iii) The Congress wanted that all subjects, including defence, should be handed over to the National Government. Gandhiji was so upset at the proposals that he named it as the post-dated cheque on a failing bank'.
(c) (i) The Sikhs, the Anglo-Indians, the Indian Christians and labour leaders also opposed them because they did not provide sufficient safeguards for their interests.
(d) (i) The Muslim League rejected the proposals as these did not contain a specific acceptance of the demand for the creation of Pakistan. The right of self determination was not granted the muslims.
2. Soon after the beginning of the Second World War, the Congress ministers resigned. In this context answer the following questions:
(a) Cause for the resignation of the Congress ministries.
(b) Reaction of the British Government to these resignations.
(c) Reaction of the Muslim League.
Answer
(a) The Britishers had involved India in the War without consulting the Central Legislature and the Provincial Governments. The Congress demanded the establishment of an Indian Government responsible to the Central Legislative Assembly and the promise that independence would be given as soon as the War was over. The British Government did not agree to these proposals. In November 1939, the Congress ministries in the provinces resigned because it was now clear that Britain was pursuing her own imperialist ends in the war.
(b) The British Government felt relieved by the resignation of the Congress ministers because they controlled eight out of the eleven provinces and had the power to impair the war efforts of the government.
(c) The Muslim League was jubiliant over the resignation of the Congress ministers. The Muslim League decided to celebrate the day as Deliverance Day'. The Muslim League saw in it an opportunity to show its loyalty to the government and promised all help in the War efforts on the condition that no constitutional scheme would be finalised without its approval.
Answer
The Quit India Resolution was passed by the Congress Working Committee at Bombay on 8th Aug. 1942. This resolution led to the launching of Quit India Movement in 1942. While launching this mass movement, Gandhiji said, "We shall do or die. We shall either free India or die in the attempt".
Two reasons behind the launching of Quit India Movement:
- Failure of Cripps mission: The Cripps Mission came to India in March, 1942 to solve Indian problem. But its proposals gave nothing concrete to Indians. The feeling was that the Government was unwilling to concede to India the right of self-Government. The failure of Cripps mission created deep discontent in the country.
- Threat of Japanese attack: During the World war II, the Allied forces including Britain suffered serious set-back in 1942. There was immediate danger of Japanese attack on India as Japanese forces reached up to North-Eastern borders of India. Gandhiji and other leaders were now convinced that the situation called for complete independence immediate and unconditional. According to Gandhiji, "India's safety, and Britain too, lies in orderly and timely British withdrawal from India. This feeling led to the launching of Quit India Movement in 1942.
Answer
Spread of the movement:
- Quit India resolution: Quit India Resolution was passed on 8th August, 1942. 'Do or Die' was the slogan of the movement.
- Arrest of the leaders: In the early morning of 9th August, 1942 all the prominent leaders of the Congress including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Abdul Kalam Azad were arrested and the Congress was banned.
- People's reaction: The arrests of the leaders worked as a spark. There were hartals and demonstrations all over the country. The government had to face a revolt which was unarmed but most violent in character. Government property was attacked by the people. Communication and transportation systems were totally disrupted. The students took a leading role in the movement. Colleges, universities and schools were closed. The movement was very intense in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Bengal.
Answer
- It demonstrated the depth of the national feelings: The movement showed the depth of the national will and convinced the British that their days in India were numbered. People from all parts of India fought together against the Britishers.
- Set back to British: Now the British officials had realized that the British would not be able to retain their hold on India.
- Parallel Government: A significant feature of the Quit India Movement was the emergence of parallel Governments in Ballia in U.P., Midnapur in Bengal and Satura in Maharashtra.
- Strengthening of Congress Socialist Party: The Quit India Movement helped in strengthening the Congress Socialist Party because of its magnificent and heroic role in the movement. Its socialist ideas had an impact on the Indian National Congress.
Picture Based Questions
(i) Name the male personality in the picture with Gandhi given alongside.
(ii) Why did the British Prime Minister sent this gentleman to India?
Answer
(i) Six Stafford Cripps.
(ii) British Prime Minister sent Sir Stafford Cripps to India to break the political deadlock between leaders and the British Government.