Introduction
The Quit India Movement was launched by the Indian National Congress in August 1942 against British rule in India. The All India Congress Committee passed the Quit India Resolution in Bombay on 8 August 1942. Mahatma Gandhi gave the famous call of “Do or Die”.
Quit India Movement in Assam
The Quit India Movement soon spread to Assam and became an important phase of the state’s freedom struggle. After the arrest of major Congress leaders, students, women, peasants and local activists continued the movement.
In Assam, the movement was marked by mass protests, flag-hoisting, strikes, boycott of government institutions and resistance to British authority. Several people lost their lives during police firing. The sacrifices of Kanaklata Barua, Mukunda Kakati, Bhogeswari Phukanani and Kushal Konwar became important symbols of Assam’s contribution to India’s freedom struggle.
Leaders and Freedom Fighters
Kanaklata Barua
Kanaklata Barua was one of the most famous young freedom fighters of Assam. She was associated with the Mrityu Bahini, a volunteer group formed during the Quit India Movement.
On 20 September 1942, she led a procession towards the Gohpur police station with the national flag. When the police ordered the protesters to stop, the procession continued. The police opened fire and Kanaklata Barua was shot dead while carrying the national flag.
Her sacrifice made her a symbol of courage and patriotism, especially among the youth of Assam.
Mukunda Kakati
Mukunda Kakati participated in the Gohpur procession along with Kanaklata Barua. He was seriously injured in the police firing and later died.
He is remembered as another important martyr of the Gohpur incident.
Kushal Konwar
Kushal Konwar was a Gandhian freedom fighter and Congress worker from Assam.
During the Quit India Movement, a military train was derailed near Sarupathar in Golaghat district. British authorities accused Kushal Konwar of involvement in the incident. He was arrested, tried and sentenced to death.
Kushal Konwar was hanged at Jorhat Jail on 15 June 1943. He is remembered as one of the most important martyrs of Assam’s freedom movement.
Other Local Activists
Apart from famous martyrs, thousands of students, peasants, workers and local Congress volunteers participated in the movement. Many were arrested, imprisoned or faced police repression.
The movement therefore became a wider people’s movement rather than remaining limited to established political leaders.
Women’s Participation
Women played a major role in the Quit India Movement in Assam.
They participated in processions, public meetings, flag-hoisting programmes, Satyagraha and underground activities. In several areas, women formed groups and took part in protests despite the risk of arrest and police violence.
Kanaklata Barua
Kanaklata Barua became the most famous young woman martyr of the movement in Assam. Her attempt to hoist the national flag at Gohpur police station and her death in police firing became a powerful symbol of women’s participation.
Bhogeswari Phukanani
Bhogeswari Phukanani was an important woman freedom fighter from Barhampur in Nagaon district.
She actively participated in the Quit India Movement and took part in nationalist protests. On 20 September 1942, she confronted the police during a flag-related protest. She was injured by a British officer and later died.
Her sacrifice demonstrated the courage of Assamese women in the freedom struggle.
Women at Patacharkuchi
Women’s participation was also very strong in the Bajali region.
A large group of women marched towards the Patacharkuchi police station carrying the national flag and singing patriotic songs. They successfully hoisted the national flag at the police station.
This incident showed that women were not merely supporters of the movement but were active participants in direct resistance against colonial authority.
Women in Golaghat
Women also played a major role in Golaghat district.
The Ministry of Culture records that women formed Mrityu Bahinis and participated actively in nationalist activities. In Dergaon, Punyaparva Hazarika led the flag-hoisting at the local thana. Annaprava Barua was also an important woman leader in the region.
Women at Behali
Women also took a leading role at Behali police station in Sonitpur.
On 20 September 1942, women volunteers including Meneki Barua, Hemaprava Barua and Tileswari Mahantamarched towards the police station and successfully hoisted the national flag.
Thus, women’s participation in Assam was not limited to supporting the movement. Women themselves led processions, hoisted the national flag and faced British repression.
Important Centres of the Quit India Movement in Assam
Several places became important centres of the Quit India Movement in Assam.
Gohpur
Gohpur is one of the most important centres of the Quit India Movement in Assam.
On 20 September 1942, a large procession moved towards the Gohpur police station to hoist the national flag.
The procession was led by Kanaklata Barua. Police firing resulted in the martyrdom of Kanaklata Barua and Mukunda Kakati.
The incident is remembered as the Gohpur Firing of 1942.
Gohpur police station is now recognised as a heritage site because of its importance in India’s freedom struggle.
Dhekiajuli
Dhekiajuli witnessed one of the most tragic incidents of the Quit India Movement in Assam.
On 20 September 1942, a large procession moved towards the Dhekiajuli police station to hoist the national flag.
The police opened fire on the protesters. Many freedom fighters were martyred in the Dhekiajuli firing.
Among the victims were young girls including Tileswari, Numali and Khahuli. Government records list numerous people who lost their lives in the firing.
Dhekiajuli police station is one of the three Assam police stations declared heritage buildings because of its role in the freedom movement. The other two are Gohpur and Chatia.
Barhampur
Barhampur in Nagaon was another important centre of nationalist activity.
The area witnessed public meetings and protests during the Quit India Movement and is closely associated with Bhogeswari Phukanani and other local freedom fighters.
Patacharkuchi
Patacharkuchi in the Bajali region witnessed strong participation by women.
Women organised processions and participated in flag-hoisting programmes. The region became an important centre of popular resistance during the Quit India Movement.
Sarupathar
Sarupathar in Golaghat district is associated with the railway sabotage incident of October 1942.
A military train was derailed near Sarupathar, after which British authorities arrested Kushal Konwar and accused him of being the chief conspirator.
He was later hanged at Jorhat Jail.
Jorhat
Jorhat became important because of its connection with Kushal Konwar.
Kushal Konwar was hanged at Jorhat Jail on 15 June 1943. Jorhat Central Jail is now an important heritage site connected with Assam’s freedom struggle.
Tezpur, Sootea and Jamuguri
The Quit India Movement also gained momentum in Tezpur, Sootea and Jamuguri.
The Sonitpur district history records these places, along with Gohpur and Dhekiajuli, as important areas where the movement became strong.
Impact of the Quit India Movement in Assam
The Quit India Movement had a major impact on Assam’s freedom struggle.
1. It became a mass movement
The movement brought students, women, peasants, workers and ordinary villagers into the freedom struggle.
After the arrest of senior Congress leaders, local people continued organising protests and nationalist activities.
2. Students played an important role
Students participated actively in the movement.
In Barpeta, students boycotted educational institutions and organised themselves into Mrityu Bahinis.
The student movement helped spread nationalist ideas across different parts of Assam.
3. Women’s participation increased
Women took part in public meetings, processions and flag-hoisting programmes.
Women such as Kanaklata Barua, Bhogeswari Phukanani, Guneswari Devi, Annaprava Barua and Punyaparva Hazarika demonstrated that women were active participants in Assam’s freedom struggle.
4. British authority was directly challenged
The protesters targeted important symbols of colonial authority, particularly police stations and government buildings.
Attempts to hoist the national flag over police stations became a major form of protest in several areas.
5. Nationalist consciousness increased
The movement spread nationalist ideas beyond major towns and political centres.
Villagers, students and ordinary people became directly involved in the struggle against British rule.
6. It created important martyrs
The martyrdom of Kanaklata Barua, Mukunda Kakati, Bhogeswari Phukanani, Tileswari and many other freedom fighters became an important part of Assam’s freedom movement.
The sacrifice of these people continues to be remembered in Assam.
7. It strengthened Assam’s contribution to India’s freedom struggle
The Quit India Movement demonstrated that the demand for independence had become widespread in Assam.
The participation of people from different communities, districts and social groups strengthened the wider national movement against British rule.
Conclusion
The Quit India Movement in Assam was an important chapter in the state’s freedom struggle.
The movement was marked by mass participation, student activism, women’s leadership, flag-hoisting campaigns and resistance against British authority.
The important centres of the movement included Gohpur, Dhekiajuli, Barhampur, Patacharkuchi, Sarupathar, Jorhat, Tezpur, Sootea and Jamuguri.
The sacrifices of Kanaklata Barua, Mukunda Kakati, Bhogeswari Phukanani, Tileswari and other martyrsshowed the courage of the people of Assam. Kanaklata Barua was martyred while leading a procession to hoist the national flag at Gohpur, while Kushal Konwar was later hanged at Jorhat Jail during the same period of resistance.
The movement also showed the important role played by women, students and ordinary villagers in the struggle for independence.