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Quit India Movement Day 2026: History, Significance and Key Facts
Many years ago, a big country called India was ruled by Britain.
A leader named Mahatma Gandhi wanted the British to leave so Indians could rule themselves.
On August 8 in the year 1942, Gandhi started a big movement called the Quit India Movement.
He told everyone to keep fighting for freedom and gave the famous call 'Do or Die.'
Many people joined in, including workers, students, farmers, and even some government workers.
The British did not like this and put Gandhi and other leaders in jail.
Even without their leaders, people kept protesting in many cities and towns.
The British stopped the movement, but it showed how much the people of India wanted freedom.
That is why we remember August 8 every year as Quit India Movement Day.
Eventually, India became free in 1947.
Quit India Movement Day is observed every year on August 8 to commemorate the movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi against British rule.
Mahatma Gandhi launched the movement at the Bombay session of the All India Congress Committee at Gowalia Tank Maidan on August 8, 1942, with the famous call 'Do or Die'.
The movement demanded that the British end their rule in India and emerged against the backdrop of the Second World War and the failure of the Cripps Mission in 1942.
On August 9, 1942, British authorities arrested Mahatma Gandhi and other prominent Congress leaders, but strikes, demonstrations and protests spread across the country.
Although eventually suppressed, the movement gave the freedom struggle a broad mass character and is remembered as a turning point in India's journey to independence in 1947.
- Who
- Mahatma Gandhi and the All India Congress Committee
- What
- Launched the Quit India Movement demanding that the British end their rule in India
- Where
- Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay, now known as August Kranti Maidan, India
- When
- August 8, 1942; the day is observed annually on August 8
- Why
- To demand complete independence amid growing dissatisfaction with British rule, the Second World War and the failure of the Cripps Mission in 1942
Key facts
- Observed on
- August 8 every year
- Launched
- August 8, 1942
- Launched by
- Mahatma Gandhi
- Venue
- Gowalia Tank Maidan, Bombay (now August Kranti Maidan)
- Key slogan
- 'Do or Die'
- Demand
- End of British rule and complete independence for India
- Context
- Second World War and failure of the Cripps Mission in 1942
- Aftermath
- Indian independence achieved in 1947
Quotes
Mahatma Gandhi
Indian nationalist leader, principal architect of the Quit India Movement
“"The power, when it comes, will belong to the people of India, and it will be for them to decide to whom it is placed...."”
thehansindia.com
“"Do or Die"”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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