Who hoisted the flag at the Gowalia Tank Maidan, Bombay on 9 th August 1942 during the Quit India Movement?
Aruna Asaf Ali
Understanding the Quit India Movement and the Flag Hoisting
The Quit India Movement was a pivotal moment in India's struggle for independence. Launched by Mahatma Gandhi on August 8, 1942, the movement called for an immediate end to British rule in India. Following Gandhi's call of "Do or Die," widespread protests and demonstrations erupted across the country. Many prominent leaders were arrested the very next day, August 9, 1942.
The Historic Event at Gowalia Tank Maidan, Bombay
Despite the arrest of major leaders, the movement continued. On August 9, 1942, a significant event took place at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay (now Mumbai). This location is now famously known as August Kranti Maidan. Even though the leaders were imprisoned, the decision was made to go ahead with the planned flag hoisting ceremony as a symbol of resistance and the determination to achieve independence.
Identifying the Flag Hoister: Aruna Asaf Ali
Amidst the crackdown and the absence of top leadership, a courageous figure stepped forward to hoist the Indian flag at Gowalia Tank Maidan on that historic day. This act of defiance in the face of police presence became a symbol of the movement's resilience.
The person who hoisted the flag on 9th August 1942 at Gowalia Tank Maidan during the Quit India Movement was Aruna Asaf Ali.
Her action at Gowalia Tank Maidan earned her the title of "Grand Old Lady of the Indian Independence Movement". She went underground immediately after this event to evade arrest and continued her activism.
Analyzing the Options
Let's briefly look at the other options provided in the question:
- Sarojini Naidu: A prominent freedom fighter, poet, and key figure in the Indian National Congress. She was also arrested during the Quit India Movement, but she is not credited with hoisting the flag at Gowalia Tank on August 9, 1942.
- Vinoba Bhave: Known for his Bhoodan Movement (land gift movement), Vinoba Bhave was a Gandhian disciple and the first individual Satyagrahi chosen by Gandhi in 1940. While a significant figure, his role was different from the specific event at Gowalia Tank Maidan in 1942.
- Asaf Ali: He was a notable freedom fighter and Aruna Asaf Ali's husband. He was also involved in the independence movement and served in various capacities, but he was not the one who hoisted the flag at Gowalia Tank on that particular day.
Therefore, based on historical accounts of the event at Gowalia Tank Maidan on August 9, 1942, Aruna Asaf Ali is the correct figure associated with hoisting the flag.
Revision Table: Key Events of Quit India Movement 1942
| Date | Event | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| August 8, 1942 | Quit India Resolution passed by AICC in Bombay | Formal launch of the movement; Gandhi's "Do or Die" speech |
| August 9, 1942 | Arrest of major Indian leaders | Movement became leaderless and spontaneous at local levels |
| August 9, 1942 | Flag Hoisting at Gowalia Tank Maidan, Bombay | Symbolic act of defiance by Aruna Asaf Ali |
| Throughout 1942-1944 | Widespread protests, strikes, and formation of parallel governments | Mass participation and impact of the movement |
Additional Information: The Quit India Movement (August Kranti)
The Quit India Movement, also known as the August Movement, was a call for massive civil disobedience. It was a direct consequence of Britain involving India in World War II without consulting Indian leaders and the failure of the Cripps Mission.
- Causes: Failure of Cripps Mission, desire for independence, impact of World War II, high inflation.
- Demands: Immediate British withdrawal from India.
- Nature: It was largely a spontaneous mass movement after the leaders were arrested. It saw participation from students, workers, and peasants.
- Impact: While suppressed brutally by the British, it demonstrated the deep desire for independence and galvanized the Indian population. It significantly weakened the British government's hold over India and paved the way for eventual independence.
Important Questions from Freedom to Partition (1939-1947)
Where did Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose announce the formation of the Government of Free India in 1943?
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Which one of the following statements about the Quit India Movement is not correct?
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