Maharashtra Board Class 8 History Chapter 9 Last Phase of Struggle for Independence PDF Download

9. Last Phase of Struggle for Independence

In this chapter we are going to study the Quit India Movement, underground movement and the contribution of Indian National Army.

Act Of 1935

This Act made a provision for the British governed Indian provinces and Princely States to form a federation. According to this act, the working of British governed provinces will be handed over to the Indian representatives. If the princely states join the federation then they would lose their autonomy, hence they refused to join. Therefore the proposal of federal state in the Act was not brought into practice.

Teacher's Note

The Act of 1935 tried to give some power to Indians but only the provinces. Like how your school principal gives some power to student leaders but keeps final control.

Exam Trick

Remember: Act of 1935 = provinces got power, but princely states said NO. They did not want to lose their independence.

Points to Remember

The Act of 1935 wanted to form a federation of provinces and princely states.
Princely states refused because they would lose their freedom.
The federal plan did not work because of this.
Only British-ruled provinces joined the federation.

Provincial Cabinets

The Indian National Congress was not satisfied with the Act of 1935, but still decided to take part in the elections of Provincial legislature provided by the Act. In 1937, elections were held in eleven provinces in the country. Among these, Indian National Congress gained majority over eight provinces and came to power. In other three provinces none of the party could achieve majority and therefore mixed cabinet was formed.

The Cabinet ministers of Indian National Congress did useful work for the people such as release of political prisoners from jail, introduction of basic education, prohibition of liquor, measures undertaken to improve condition of the Dalits, passing of Act giving debt relief to the farmers etc.

Teacher's Note

In 1937, Congress leaders became ministers in 8 provinces. They did good work like opening schools and helping poor farmers. This was like practice for running a country.

Exam Trick

Remember: 1937 elections = Congress won 8 provinces. They released prisoners, started schools, and helped farmers. This showed they could govern well.

Points to Remember

Congress won elections in 8 out of 11 provinces in 1937.
Congress ministers did helpful work for common people.
They freed political prisoners from jail.
They started basic education in villages.
They helped farmers by giving debt relief.

Cripps Mission

During the second world war, England supported America against Japan. The Japanese army reached the eastern borders of India. The British realised that if Japan attacks India, then they will need co-operation from the Indians. Hence the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill sent Sir Stafford Cripps to India. In March 1942, he put up a proposal of India in front of the Indians. But none of the political party was satisfied with this proposal. The Indian National Congress rejected the proposal since there was no clear mention of complete independence. Since there was no mention of creation of Pakistan, the Muslim League also rejected the Cripps Mission.

Teacher's Note

The British sent Cripps to India because they were afraid Japan would attack. But Cripps did not promise complete freedom, so Congress said no.

Exam Trick

Remember: Cripps Mission = British wanted Indian help in war. But Congress wanted complete freedom first, not just some power later.

Points to Remember

Cripps Mission came in March 1942 during World War Two.
Britain was afraid Japan would attack India from the east.
Cripps did not offer complete independence to India.
Congress rejected it because it was not enough freedom.
Muslim League also rejected it because Pakistan was not mentioned.

Second World War and Indian National Congress

The Second World War began in Europe in 1939. The then Viceroy Lord Linlithgo declared that India has joined the war on the side of the British. England claimed that it is fighting to save Democracy in Europe. The Indian National Congress demanded that if the claim was true then England should immediately grant freedom to India. England refused to fulfill this demand and therefore the provincial ministers of Indian National Congress resigned in November 1939.

Teacher's Note

In 1939, Britain made India fight in World War Two without asking. Congress leaders got angry and quit their jobs. Like how you would feel if someone made you do work without permission.

Exam Trick

Remember: Congress ministers resigned in November 1939. They said: if Britain wants our help in the war, give us freedom first.

Points to Remember

World War Two started in Europe in 1939.
Britain made India join the war without asking Congress.
Congress asked for freedom in return for India's help.
Britain said no to this demand.
Congress ministers resigned from their jobs in November 1939.

Quit India Movement

After the Cripps mission, the Indian National Congress decided to start an intense movement for attaining independence. The Working Committee of the Congress passed a resolution on 14 July 1942 at Wardha. The resolution demanded that the British rule in India be ended immediately and India should be given independence. If this demand was not fulfilled then the Indian National Congress warned to start a non violent movement for freedom of India.

Quit India Resolution

On 7 August 1942, the session of Indian National Congress was held at Gowalia Tank (Kranti Maidan) in Mumbai. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was the President of this session. The British should leave India, this resolution passed by Congress Working Committee at Wardha was to be finally approved in the Mumbai session. On 8 August the resolution of 'Quit India' put forth by Jawaharlal Nehru got passed with great majority. It was also decided to start a nation wide non violent agitation under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhiji said, "Every one of you should, from this moment onwards, consider yourself a free man or woman and behave like a citizen of free India.... we shall either free India or die in the attempt." Gandhiji made an inspirational appeal to the public to be ready to sacrifice with the feeling of 'Do or Die'.

Teacher's Note

Quit India Movement started in 1942. Gandhi said Do or Die. This means fight for freedom or be ready to die. Like how freedom fighters showed total commitment to the country.

Exam Trick

Remember: Quit India = August 1942 = Do or Die. Gandhi wanted every Indian to fight like they were already free. This was very powerful.

Points to Remember

Quit India Movement began on 8 August 1942 in Mumbai.
Mahatma Gandhi led this big movement against British rule.
Gandhi said 'Do or Die' meaning fight or die for freedom.
He asked all Indians to behave as free citizens.
It was a non-violent movement with great power.

Beginning of People's Movement

The news of arrest of important leaders of Indian National Congress spread out all over the country. The angry mob took out processions at various places. Even though police lathi charged and opened firing on the public but still people were not afraid. The agitators attacked some places jails, police stations, railway stations etc. which symbolised the suppressive policy of the British. They tried to take control of Government offices. In Maharashtra, the young and old struggled with determination and boundless courage at places like Chimur, Ashti, Yavali, Mahad, Gargoti etc. and made the struggle immortal.

Teacher's Note

After Congress leaders were arrested, common people came on streets in large numbers. They were not afraid of police beatings. Like how entire villages joined the movement.

Exam Trick

Remember: When leaders were arrested, common people took over the movement. Police used lathi and guns but people continued. This shows the power of the people.

Points to Remember

Congress leaders were arrested by British police.
Common people took to streets in anger and protest.
They did not fear police beating or guns.
Young and old people fought together for freedom.
Places like Chimur and Mahad became symbols of brave struggle.

Underground Movement

At the end of 1942 the public movement got a new turn. The leadership of this movement went into hands of young socialist activists. Jayprakash Narayan, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, Chhotubhai Puranik, Achyutrao Patwardhan, Aruna Asaf Ali, Yusuf Meher Ali, Sucheta Kriplani, S.M. Joshi, Shirubhau Limaye, N.G. Gore, Yashwantrao Chavan, Vasantdada Patil, Maganlal Bagdi, Usha Mehta such leaders were in the forefront. The activist disrupted the transport and communication as well as the government machinery by causing the breakdown of Railway routes, cutting of telephone line, blowing up bridges etc. The impact of the movement was seen all over India. Hemu Kalani, in Sindh province, tried to destroy the railway along with his companions when he received the news of passing of a railway carrying British troops and supplies. The court punished him to be hanged to death.

Bhai Kotwal's 'Azad Dasta' in Karjat taluka of modern day Raigad district, General Awari's 'Lal Sena' in Nagpur such groups made the government helpless and witless for months. In Mumbai, Vitthal Zaveri, Usha Mehta and her companions established a secret transmission centre named 'Azad Radio'. Patriotic songs were sung on it. News of agitations in the country where broadcasted on it. Patriotic speeches were telecasted. This gave encouragement to the agitators. Such transmission centres operated at Kolkata, Delhi and Pune for some period of time.

Teacher's Note

Young activists like Jayprakash Narayan led secret underground work. They cut railway lines and telephone wires to stop British supplies. Like how resistance fighters work in occupied countries.

Exam Trick

Remember: Underground movement = cutting railways, destroying communication, Azad Radio. These young leaders disrupted British control without being caught.

Points to Remember

Young socialist leaders took over the movement in late 1942.
They did secret work to break British control.
They cut railway lines and telephone wires.
Azad Radio broadcast patriotic songs and news.
Groups like Azad Dasta and Lal Sena fought in villages.

Individual Satyagraha

The British Government was constantly neglecting the demands, hence the Indian National Congress decided to start anti war propoganda. For this it was decided that instead of a collective movement, every single person should disobey the laws. This was known as 'Individual Satyagraha'. Acharya Vinoba Bhave was the first satyagrahi of individual satyagraha. He was followed by nearly 25,000 satyagrahis who accepted imprisonment for their participation.

Teacher's Note

Individual Satyagraha means one person at a time can break unjust laws peacefully. Like if you refuse to follow a bad school rule and accept punishment.

Exam Trick

Remember: Individual Satyagraha = one person breaks the law peacefully. Vinoba Bhave started it. 25,000 people went to jail. This shows mass peaceful resistance.

Points to Remember

Individual Satyagraha means each person disobeys laws one by one.
Acharya Vinoba Bhave was the first to do this.
Nearly 25,000 people followed and went to jail.
Each person accepted punishment willingly.
This was a very powerful peaceful method.

Establishment of Parallel Government

At some places in the country, British officers were driven out and the 'People's Government' was established. These are called 'Parallel Government'. Parallel Government where formed in districts of Midnapore in Bengal, Ballia and Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh and Purnia in Bihar.

In Satara district of Maharashtra, in 1942, Krantisinh Nana Patil brought an end to the British government and established parallel government. At Kundal, under the leadership of Krantiagrani G. D. alias Bapu Lad, 'Toofan Sena' was established. Through its medium, collection of taxes, maintenance of law and order, punishment to criminals, such work was done by the Parallel Government. People started accepting the verdict passed by the People's Court appointed by the Parallel Government. Opposition to money lenders, prohibition on liquor, spread of literacy, opposition to caste distinctions many such constructive work was done by this government. Due to it the Parallel Government became a source of inspiration for the public.

Teacher's Note

In some places, freedom fighters made their own government. In Satara, Krantisinh Nana Patil made people's court and collected taxes. Like how a village can run itself without a bad ruler.

Exam Trick

Remember: Parallel Government = people's government made by freedom fighters. They did tax collection, court work, and helped poor people. This showed they could govern.

Points to Remember

Parallel Governments were made in several districts across India.
British officers were thrown out from some areas.
People's courts gave justice in place of British courts.
These governments helped poor people and farmers.
They showed Indians could govern themselves well.

Importance of Quit India Movement

The 1942 movement took up the form of a nationwide agitation. To fulfill the objectives of gaining independence lakhs of Indians made unlimited sacrifices. Many sacrificed their lives. The number of people participating in the struggle was so huge that even all the prisons in the whole of the country were not enough to contain them. The patriotic songs composed by Sane Guruji, Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj and others increased the enthusiasm of the agitators. This nationwide movement is also called 'August Kranti'.

Teacher's Note

Quit India Movement was very big and reached every village. Lakhs of people joined. Songs by Sane Guruji made people brave. August Kranti means it changed India in August 1942.

Exam Trick

Remember: August Kranti = Quit India 1942 = millions of people = prisons could not hold them all. This was the biggest movement before independence.

Points to Remember

Millions of ordinary Indians joined the Quit India Movement.
Prisons became so full they could not hold all prisoners.
Many freedom fighters died in the struggle.
Patriotic songs increased people's courage and spirit.
This movement shook British rule in India.

This is a preview of the first 3 pages. To get the complete book, click below.