Complete Set of 2 nos of postage stamps on the Golden Jubilee of the Quit India 1942, a movement Mahatma Gandhi demanding an end to British Rule in India :

Issued by India

Issued on Aug 9, 1992

Issued for : The Department of Posts is privileged to issue two special postage stamps to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the ‘QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT’.

The First Day Cover design is a reproduction of the inscription on the Gandhi Memorial Stambh (Column). The inscription on the Stambh is in Marathi and Hindi and reads as follows:–
“Under the unique leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, the Meeting of All India Congress Committee was held on 7^th and 8^th August, 1942 and the historic resolution entitled ‘QUIT INDIA’ was passed. A clarion call was given to every Indian with the slogan ‘DO OR DIE’. This column has been dedicated to the nation by Gandhi Smarak Nidhi and Municipal Corporation of Greater Bombay.”

Description of Design :
Stamp: India Security Press.
First Day Cover: Quit India 1942.
Cancellation: Sankha Samant

Type : Stamps, Mint Condition

Colour : Two Colour

Denomination : 100 & 200 Paise

Overall size : 3.91 x 2.90 cms.

Printing size : 3.55 x 2.54 cms.

Perforation : 13 x 13

Paper : Indigenous Un W/M gravure coated gummed Stamp Paper

Number Printed : 6,00,000

Number per issue sheet : 35

Printing Process : Photo Offset

Printed by : India Security Press

About : 

• “Let every Indian consider himself to be a true man. He must be ready for the actual attainment of freedom or perish in the attempt…… There is no compromise on the demand for freedom. Freedom first, and then only the rest. Do not be cowards, because cowards have no right to live. Freedom shall be your “Mantra”…….”
• “Here is a mantra, a short one that I give you. You may imprint it on your hearts and let every breath of yours give expression to it. The mantra is ‘Do or Die’. We shall either free India or die in the attempt. We shall not live to see the perpetuation of our slavery.”
• It was with these inspiring words that Mahatma Gandhi in the speech he delivered just after the passing of the historic ‘Quit India’ resolution by the All-India Congress Committee on 8^th August, 1942 at Bombay ushered in a new phase in the glorious struggle for India’s freedom.
• A 12 point programme for the QUIT INDIA Movement was issued, the last being “Spinning……. If millions spin, it will administer a powerful stimulus to the struggle”. The August Revolution was a historic event and it had a tremendous influence on the future of Indian Nationalism. The resolution authorised Gandhiji to lead a mass movement on non-violent lines for achieving independence. Thus a revolutionary instinct was kindled and forged amongst the masses. The passing of the resolution was immediately followed by the arrest of Gandhiji, Panditji, Sardar Patel, Rajendra Babu, Maulana Azad and all other prominent leaders and the adoption of other stern measures by the British Government. These repressive measures led to a widespread revolutionary upsurge of the people. The government resorted to burning of villages, machine gunning and aerial attacks on the people to suppress the uprising, which resulted in killing of thousands of men, women and children. The Movement brought forth a host of leaders and martyrs who performed great deeds of heroism and sacrifice. This mass revolutionary movement was a dangerous portent for an alien rule and manifested the new and resurgent forces of nationalism that were at work. It ultimately culminated in the grant of independence to India.
• Not only did the “Quit India” movement kindle a universal desire for freedom by inspiring the people to great deeds of heroism and sacrifice but it created new dimensions in a subject people’s struggle for freedom through non-violent and honourable methods.
• The mantra ‘DO OR DIE’ given by Mahatma Gandhi 50 years ago on this august occasion resounds even today reminding us of the great sacrifices made by our leaders to free the motherland.

Related posts:

Sardar Ajit Singh Mahatma Gandhi : Man of the Millennium 1942 Quit India Resolution Swami Ramanand Teerth Swami Keshawanand Vishwambhar Dayalu Tripathi