History question from Panchayat Secretary (VLW) exam, 2025 by JKSSB
Quit India Movement was launched during the rule of which one of the following viceroys?
Last updated Jun 5, 2026
Correct Answer:
Option D —
Lord Linlithgow
Key Historical Details
The Quit India Movement (also known as the August Movement) was launched by Mahatma Gandhi on August 8, 1942, during the height of World War II.
The Viceroy's Tenure: Lord Linlithgow served as the Viceroy of India from 1936 to 1943, making his tenure the longest in the history of the British Raj.
The Response: Under his administration, the British government cracked down heavily on the movement. Within hours of the "Do or Die" speech, Linlithgow ordered the arrest of Mahatma Gandhi and almost the entire top leadership of the Indian National Congress under the Defence of India Rules.
Why the other options are incorrect:
(A) Lord Irwin: He was the Viceroy from 1926 to 1931 and is best known for the Simon Commission, the Civil Disobedience Movement (Dandi March), and the Gandhi-Irwin Pact of 1931.
(B) Lord Mountbatten: He was the final Viceroy of India (1947), responsible for overseeing the partition and transfer of power.
(C) Lord Wavell: He succeeded Lord Linlithgow and served as Viceroy from 1943 to 1947, managing events like the Bengal Famine, the Wavell Plan (Shimla Conference), and the Cabinet Mission.
Answer verified by Quintessence Classes faculty — Karan Nagar, Srinagar.
