The Quit India Movement was a movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi on August 8 1942, during World War II, demanding an end to British Rule of India, under which the country was grappling for nearly two centuries. After Gandhi's 'Do or Die' Speech, the British government tried to suppress the movement by arresting the Congress leaders. The Quit India Movement: The Beginning of The End Of 200 Years of British Rule in India.

On August 9, 1942, Congress passed the resolution called “Quit India Movement”. The aim of the movement was to put pressure on British troops so that they withdraw from the country. The movement though not very successful is still considered as one of the most important milestones in the nation's struggle for Independence. EVM Quit India Campaign: Anti-EVM Groups to Organise Nationwide 'Long March' on August 9, Demand Return of Ballot Boxes.

As India celebrates 77 years of Quit India Movement, let us take a look at some of the quick facts about Mahatma Gandhi's Quit India Movement.

  • After the failure of Cripps Mission, Gandhiji gave the call to Do or Die in his Quit India speech delivered at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Mumbai.

  • Aruna Asaf Ali hoisted the Indian Tricolour in the Gowalia Tank Maidan proudly. This was the first time when Indian Tricolour was hoisted.

  • The next day of Gandhi's speech, Nehru and many other leaders of the Indian National Congress were arrested by the British Government.

  • The Movement took a violent turn, from riots to protests to government offices were attacked. The movement stirred the lower and middle-class society, the ones most affected.

  • During Gandhi's speech, he asked people to adopt ahimsa (non-violence) during the struggle for India's independence.

  • The Quit India Movement is also known as the August Movement or the Civil Disobedience Movement.

While not a very successful movement, but Quit India is still one of the most crucial movements that helped in demoralising the confidence of the British empire in ruling India.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 08, 2019 04:23 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).