The Quit India Movement was launched on August 8, 1942, by Mahatma Gandhi during the All India Congress Committee session in Bombay (now Mumbai).
The movement was a direct response to the failure of the Cripps Mission, which was sent by the British government to negotiate terms for Indian self-government in exchange for support in World War II.
The movement is famously associated with Gandhi's call to "Do or Die," urging Indians to act with determination and urgency to end British rule.
The movement saw mass protests, strikes, and demonstrations across India. It involved people from all walks of life, including students, workers, and farmers.
The British government responded with severe repression. They arrested most of the Indian National Congress leadership, including Gandhi, Nehru, and Patel, and detained them for the duration of the war.
Despite the leadership being jailed, the movement continued through underground activities. Secret radio broadcasts, sabotage, and guerrilla tactics were employed to sustain the movement.
Although the movement was suppressed by the British, it had a profound impact on Indian society. There was a widespread desire for independence and significantly weakened British authority in India, setting the stage for India's eventual independence in 1947.