Freedom to Partition (1939-1947) MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Freedom to Partition (1939-1947) - Download Free PDF

'The Mountbatten Plan' related to the partition of India, was announced on June 3, 1947.

Key Points

• Lord Mountbatten came to India as the last Viceroy and was assigned the task of a speedy transfer of power by the then British Prime Minister Clement Atlee.
• In May 1947, Mountbatten came up with a plan under which he proposed that the provinces be declared independent successor states and then be allowed to choose whether to join the constituent assembly or not. This plan was called the ‘Dickie Bird Plan’.
• Jawaharlal Nehru when apprised of the plan, vehemently opposed it saying it would lead to Balkanisation of the country. Hence, this plan was also called Plan Balkan.
• Then, the viceroy came up with another plan called the June 3 Plan.
• This plan was the last plan for Indian independence. It is also called the Mountbatten Plan.
• The June 3 Plan included the principles of partition of India, autonomy, sovereignty to both nations, right to make their own constitution.
• Above all, the Princely States such as Jammu and Kashmir were given a choice to either join India or Pakistan.
• This plan was accepted by both the Congress and the Muslim League.

• This plan was put into action by the Indian Independence Act 1947 which was passed in the British Parliament and received the royal assent on 18 July 1947.

Hence, we can conclude that 'The Mountbatten Plan' related to the partition of India, was announced on June 3, 1947.

The correct answer is Viceroy Lord Linlithgo.

• Viceroy Lord Linlithgo described the Quit India Movement (1942) as by far the most serious rebellion since 1857.

Key Points

• Linlithgow served as Governor-General and Viceroy of India from 1936 to 1943.
  • He implemented the plans for local self-government embodied in the Government of India Act 1935, which led to provincial governments led by the Congress Party in five of the eleven provinces of British India, but the recalcitrance of the princes prevented the establishment of elected governments in most of the princely states.
  • With the outbreak of the Second World War, Linlithgow's rejection of the request by the Congress for a declaration that India would be given the chance to determine its own future after the war led to the resignation of the Congress ministries. He declared India to be at war with Germany in September 1939 without consulting Indian politicians.
  • On 8 August 1940 Lord Linlithgow August Offer and offered greater rights in the governance of India to the Indian people.
    • The proposal was rejected by most Indian politicians, including the Congress Party and the Muslim League. Disputes between the British administration and Congress ultimately led to massive Indian civil disobedience in the Quit India Movement from 1942 to early 1944.
  • Linlithgow suppressed the disturbances and arrested the Congress leaders.
  • He is also blamed for the Bengal famine of 1943-45 which resulted in three million deaths.

Additional Information

• The Quit India Movement
  • On 8th August 1942, Mahatma Gandhi gave a clarion call to end British rule and launched the Quit India Movement at the session of the All-India Congress Committee in Mumbai.
  • The immediate cause for the movement was the collapse of the Cripps Mission.
  • The British assumption of unconditional support from India to the British in World War II.
  • The anti-British sentiments and demand for full independence had gained popularity among the masses.
  • The two decades of the mass movement which were being conducted on a much more radical tone under the leadership of the various associated and affiliated bodies of the Congress, like All India Kisan Sabha, Forward Bloc, etc. had already prepared the ground for the movement.
    Militant outbursts were happening at several places in the country which got channelized with the Quit India Movement.
    The economy was also in shatters as a result of World War II.
  • Gandhiji gave the call “Do or Die” in his speech delivered at the Gowalia Tank Maidan.
  • Aruna Asaf Ali popularly known as the 'Grand Old Lady' of the Independence Movement, hoisted the Indian flag at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Mumbai during the Quit India Movement.
  • The slogan ‘Quit India’ was coined by Yusuf Meherally.
    • Meherally had also coined the slogan “Simon Go Back”.
• Phases: The movement had three phases
  • First Phase urban revolt, marked by strikes, boy­cott and picketing, which were quickly suppressed.
    • There were strikes and demonstrations all over the country and workers provided support by not working in the factories.
    • Gandhiji was soon imprisoned at Aga Khan Palace in Pune and almost all leaders were arrested.
  • The second phase, the focus shifted to the following.
    • Major peasant rebellion
    • Destruction of communication sys­tems, such as railway tracks and stations, telegraph wires and poles, attacks on government buildings.
  • The last phase witnessed the formation of national governments or parallel governments.
    • Ballia
    • Tamluk
    • Satara 

Solution

The Correct answer is Satara

Key Points

• The Satara Parallel government in Maharashtra from August 1943 to May 1946 against British rule was a legendary chapter in the glorious freedom struggle of India.
• During the Quit India Movement, the Satara district in Maharashtra was one of several places that saw violence.
• The Parallel government (Prati Sarkar) movement was a guerrilla type of struggle, and it operated in over 150 villages with solid peasant support.
• Nonetheless, the movement enabled the Satara Parallel Government to effectively overthrow British rule in large parts of Western Maharashtra during those three years.
• This victory was remarkable and known for the significant involvement of women.

The correct answer is Ahmednagar Fort.

Key Points

• During the Quit India Movement, Operation Zero Hour was started by the Britishers.
• On 9^th August 1942, all the senior leaders of Congress were arrested.
• Gandhiji was kept in the Aga Khan Palace in Pune, while the other members were kept in the Ahmednagar fort. 
• Jawaharlal Nehru was imprisoned in Ahmednagar Fort.
• At the same time, Congress was declared a non-constitutional body and it was banned.
• A temporary government was formed in Ballia under the leadership of Chittu Pandey.
• The protesters freed the leaders by attacking Ballia Jail on 16th August 1942.

Important Points

• About Quit India Movement:-
  • On 14 July 1942, the Working Committee of the Congress in Wardha passed the resolution of the British Quit India Movement and Tilak Day was celebrated in Prayagraj on 1 August before its public announcement.
  • On 8 August 1942, the All India Congress met at the Gwalia Tank Grounds in Bombay, and the proposal of the Quit India Movement was approved.
  • It was announced that the immediate termination of British rule in India has become extremely necessary for the establishment of freedom and democracy in India.
  • The Quit India movement is also known as the 'August revolution'.
  • The goal of this movement was to end the British Empire from India.

The correct answer is the August offer.

• The August offer was announced in 1940 by Viceroy Lord Linlithgow to gain the support of Indians in World War II.

Key PointsBackground:

• The Indian National Congress (INC) leaders were upset with the British government for having pulled India into a war without the consent of Indians.
• Lord Linlithgow had declared India to be at war with Germany without consultation.
• The British government was keen to get Indian support for the war. 
• Then, the Viceroy Linlithgow made a set of proposals called the ‘August offer’.

Additional InformationThe terms of the August Offer:

• A representative Indian body would be framed to frame a constitution for India.
• Dominion status was the objective for India.
• The Viceroy also stated that there would be no revision of the Government of India Act.

The correct answer is Bombay.

Important Points

All India Congress Committee (AICC) meeting to ratify the Quit India resolution was held at the Bombay session.

• It was passed by Mahatma Gandhi on 8^th August 1942.
• Mahatma Gandhi issued the Quit India speech at the Gowalia tank maidan in Mumbai.
• The All India congress committee is the central decision-making assembly of the Indian National Congress.
• The All India congress committee launched a mass protest demanding the withdrawal of British rule from India in 1942. 
• The immediate cause of the Quit India movement was the failure of the Cripps mission.
• The draft of the Quit India resolution was prepared by Jawaharlal Nehru.
• Aruna Asaf Ali is known as the heroine of the Quit India movement.
• Do or Die is the famous slogan associated with the Quit India movement.

The correct answer is Singapore.

Key Points

• On 21 October 1943, Netaji Bose announced the formation of the Provisional Government of Azad Hind (Free India), with himself as the Head of State, Prime Minister and Minister of War.
• With the formation of the Provisional Government of Azad Hind, mobilisation of the Indian communities for armed struggle was stepped up.
• Many Indian civilians from Malaya, Thailand and Burma responded enthusiastically. 
• Many Indians contributed money and gold generously to the INA Fund. The gold came mostly from women who readily gave up their jewellery while wealthy Indian families donated large sums of money after attending Bose’s rallies and meetings. Other forms of contributions included clothing, foodstuffs and other supplies that the INA could use.
• By April 1944, the Azad Hind Bank was established in Rangoon to manage the overwhelming donations from the Indian communities.
• The motto of the Azad Hind was Unity, Faith and Sacrifice.

• The famous Quit India Movement is also known as the 'August Movement'. It was launched by Mahatma Gandhi on 8 August 1942 at Gowalia Tank Maidan, Bombay.
• Gandhi Jee raised the slogan ‘do or die’ in his Quit India speech.
• Most of the prominent Congress leaders were imprisoned in the initial days of Quit India Movement.

The correct answer is Yusuf Meher Ali.

Key Points

• The iconic 'Quit India' slogan was coined by socialist Congress leader and lesser-known hero of the Indian National movement Yusuf Meher Ali in 1942.
• He was the founder of National Militia, Bombay youth League, and the Congress Socialist Party.
• In 1928, he came up with the catchphrase "Simon Go Back" in protest against the all-British Simon Commission Appointed by the imperial government to recommend improvements to British governance in India,
• He was a participant of the underground movement and was in forefront of the Quit India Movement.
• Meherally was responsible for mobilizing his socialist colleagues- including Rammanohar Lohia, Aruna Asaf Ali, and Achyut Patwardhan, and ensuring they took the quit India Movement forward while hiding underground after the arrest of the Congress leaders.

Additional Information

• Famous Slogans By India Freedom fighters in India:-

The correct answer is Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.

Key Points

• There were three main speakers at the Central Hall of Parliament.
• Jawaharlal Nehru, Chaudhary Khaliquzaman, and Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.
• Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was the third notable speaker at the official event.

Additional Information

• Jawahar Lal Nehru delivered his famous 'Tryst With Destiny' speech in Parliament. 
• On August 15, 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru was sworn in as PM of independent India.
• Vande Mataram was sung as the National Song.

The correct answer is Subhas Chandra Bose.

• Subhas Chandra Bose founded the Forward Bloc in 1939.

Key Points

• Subhash Chandra Bose
  • He founded the Independence for India League with Jawaharlal Nehru. 
  • He was elected as the President of INC at its Haripura Session (1938) and Tripuri Session (1939) but resigned from Tripuri due to differences with Gandhiji.
  • He founded the Forward Bloc (1939) at Calcutta.
  • He took the charge of Indian Army (Azad Hind Fauj) in 1943 in Singapore and set up an Indian Provisional government there.
  • He addressed Mahatma Gandhi as the Father of the Nation.
  • He gave the famous slogans–Dilli Chalo and Jai Hind.
  • The Indian Pilgrimage was his autobiography.

The correct answer is 1943.Key Points

• Bengal famine of 1943
  • The famine of Bengal that occurred in the year 1943 was the most devastating famine in India that killed thirty lakh people in the province of Bengal.
  • The main reason for the Bengal famine was the shortage of rice and the extreme hike in its price level, while some economists advocate that the famine was the result of the failure of the British government policies.
• Meaning of famine
  • A famine is characterized by widespread deaths due to starvation and epidemics caused as a result of forced use of contaminated water or decaying food and loss of body resistance due to weakening from starvation and malnutrition.
  • Due to the occurrence of a natural calamity, the total production of food grains decreases which creates a shortage of food and results in a hike in price levels.
  • At high prices, people fail to afford sufficient food, if this situation exists for longer time periods, it may cause a situation of starvation.
  • Widespread starvation takes the form of famine.

The correct answer is option 4 i.e. Singapore.

The Indian National Army was formed in Singapore by Mohan Singh in 1942.

• It was formed by Indian soldiers in the British Army who were captured by the Japanese Army during the Malayan campaign and at Singapore.
• It however was disbanded due to differences between Singh and the Japanese over the intended size and the specific role of the INA.
• In 1943, Subhashchandra Bose led the organization.
• It fought alongside the Japanese Army in Burma(Myanmmar), Imphal and Kohima.
• Many of them were captured by the British Army and were put on trial. This is called as the famous Red Fort Trials of 1945.
• The trial inspired the Royal Indian Navy mutiny of 1946.
• 'Ittehad, Itmad aur Qurbani'(Unity, Faith and Sacrifice in Urdu) was its motto.

The correct answer is Vinoba Bhave.

• The centerpiece of Individual Satyagraha was Non-violence.
• The first Satyagrahi selected for this Satyagraha was Vinoba Bhave who was sent to jail when he spoke against the war.
• He was followed nearly by 25,000 individual satyagrahis.
• The demand of the Satyagrahi was to use freedom of speech against the war through an anti-war declaration.
• In December 1940, Gandhi suspended the movement and the campaign started again in January 1941.

Key Points

• Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and Brahma Dutt were the second and third the selected Satyagarhi respectively
• The campaign started again and this time thousands of people joined and around 20,000 people were arrested in January 1941.
• Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and Brahma Dutt were also sent to jail for violating the Defence of India Act.

​Additional Information

Some important Life Facts of Vinoba Bhave -

• He started the Sarvodaya Movement which meant ‘Progress for all’.
• In 1951, Bhave started the Bhoodan Movement in Pochampally, Telangana.
• He was awarded the Roman Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 1958.
• In 1983, he received the Bharat Ratna posthumously.

The correct answer is Quit India Movement.

Key Points

Quit India Movement (1942):

• On 8th August 1942, Mahatma Gandhi called to end British rule and launched the Quit India Movement at the session of the All-India Congress Committee in Mumbai.
• This movement is also known as the India August Movement or August Kranti.
• Gandhiji gave the call “Do or Die” in his speech delivered at the Gowalia Tank Maidan, now popularly known as August Kranti Maidan.
• Aruna Asaf Ali popularly known as the 'Grand Old Lady' of the Independence Movement is known for hoisting the Indian flag at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Mumbai during the Quit India Movement.
• The slogan ‘Quit India’ was coined by Yusuf Meherally, a socialist and trade unionist who also served as Mayor of Mumbai.
• The Quit India Resolution was passed by the Congress Working Committee on 8 August 1942 in Bombay. Gandhi was named the movement’s leader.
• The resolution stated the provisions of the movement as:
  • An immediate end to British rule over India.
  • Declaration of the commitment of free India to defend itself against all kinds of imperialism and fascism.
  • Formation of a provisional government of India after British withdrawal.
  • Sanctioning a civil disobedience movement against British rule.