(i) In August 1942, Mahatma Gandhi launched a final offensive against the British rule. He started the Quit India Movement.

(ii) In this movement no demands were made from the British. They were simply asked to quit India.

(iii) The British retaliated to Gandhiji's call to 'Quit India' by arresting him and all the members of Congress Working Committee.

(iv) news of the arrest of Congress leaders angered the people further who came out on the streets and attacked the British government which way they could.

(v) In the absence of their leaders people became their own leaders and attacked, looted and destroyed government property.

(vi) The government dealt with the movement with severe brutality and many people were killed in police firing.

(vii) In the end of British government was able to suppress the movement only with the help of large scale killings and arrests. According to official figures, the number of arrested by the end of 1943 was well over 91,000.

(viii) Although the movement had been suppressed, it became very clear to the British government that they would not be able to hold on to India for long. The British themselves had realised it. Up till now they had ruled the country with the help of a support system that they had built in India since the 19th century. This support system had been eroded by the national movement, through a series of struggles. Without the help of various sections of Indians (peasants, workers, middle classes, rich people, police, army among others) it was not possible for the British to rule India.