Newspaper declaring India's independence,1947, National Gandhi Museum.
INDEPENDENCE OF INDIA
Quit India Movement
On August 9, 1942, All India Congress Committee launched the final phase of the struggle for independence. In this national movement the entire country of India was brought together to stand up against the British. Hundreds of people were arrested and many more were killed or injured. The national non-violent protests, and British suffering from WWII managed to get India its freedom.
"The lull in open political activities reported therein has continued in most parts of India .... The official programme [of Gandhi] is to develop the campaign in successive stages. The first stage has begun with Gandhi's march; the second is to begin after his arrest with a widening of the campaign, and the third stage is to be a mass campaign on a wide scale."
~ Viceroy of India, 1930
Mahatma Gandhi, center, with leaders of the All-India Congress Party, 1942, MKGandhi.
Speech by Gandhi,n.d.,IndiaVideo.
The front page of the Indian Express newspaper, August 10, 1942, National Gandhi Museum.
Quit India Movement newspaper article, 1942, National Gandhi Museum.
Independence
On August 15, 1947 India gained independence from Great Britain. The Independence Act of 1947 created the two independence dominions of India and Pakistan on the same day, August 15, 1947. Gandhi became one of the most esteemed and popular figures on earth. He was on the cover of magazines, nominated five times for the Nobel Peace Prize and was considered by millions of Indians as the father of their nation.
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."
~ Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi's Assasination
Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on 30 January 1948 by a fanatic who believed he was biased towards Muslims. Even after his death, though, his legacy lived on in those he inspired.
"The light has gone out of our lives but the light brought by Gandhi would illumine this country for many more years. And a thousand years later, that light will be seen in this country and the world will see it and it will give solace to innumerable hearts."
~ Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of independent India
Newspaper declaring Gandhi's death, n.d., The Hindu.
SALT MARCH