Cripps Mission, Quit India, and INA: Final Phase of Freedom

Introduction

The final phase of India's freedom struggle (1940-1947) witnessed a dramatic intensification of the independence movement. The failure of the Cripps Mission, the mass uprising of Quit India, the revolutionary efforts of the Indian National Army (INA), and the Naval Mutiny collectively forced the British to realize that colonial rule could not continue. These events decisively shaped the transfer of power in 1947.

World War II Context

• September 1939: Britain declared India a belligerent without consulting Indian leaders
• Congress resignation (Oct 1939): Congress ministries resigned in protest
• August Offer (1940): Promised expanded Viceroy's Executive Council and a constituent assembly after war — rejected by Congress
• Individual Satyagraha (1940-41): Limited, symbolic protest by Congress (Vinoba Bhave, Nehru, others)

Cripps Mission (March 1942)

Background

• British war position deteriorated (fall of Singapore, Burma; Japanese threat to India)
• US and China pressured Churchill to secure Indian cooperation
• Sir Stafford Cripps (British Cabinet Minister) sent to negotiate

Proposals (Cripps Offer)

1. Indian Dominion: Immediately after war — full self-government as a Dominion
2. Constituent Assembly: Elected by provincial legislatures (provinces + princely states); members elected by proportional representation
3. Provincial option: Provinces could opt out of the Union — effectively allowed partition
4. Defence: British would retain complete control of Indian defence during war
5. Treaty with UK: Would cover protection of minorities, defence arrangements

Reasons for Failure

• Demand for immediate national government: Congress wanted real power-sharing during war
• Defence kept with British: Cripps offered only War Department; Indian leaders wanted Indian control
• Provincial opt-out clause: Congress saw this as encouragement for Muslim League's Pakistan demand
• No definite timeframe: "After the war" was vague — no guaranteed independence
• Churchill's sabotage: Cripps was not fully backed by the British Cabinet
• Mahatma Gandhi's assessment: "A post-dated cheque on a crashing bank"

Outcome

• Cripps returned to England without agreement
• Cripps Offer became the basis for later negotiations (Cabinet Mission, 1946)
• Convinced Indians that only mass struggle would compel British departure