HistoryModern India: Mahatma Gandhi and the Nationalist movement

Talks between Congress leaders and Viceroy Linlithgow on India's part…

Talks between Congress leaders and Viceroy Linlithgow on India's part in the war broke down. In which year did the Congress ministries resign?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 3

The correct answer is Option (3) → 1939

Option (1) 1937 — Incorrect. September 1939 is when the Second World War broke out. The Congress offer and the talks with the Viceroy came after that.

Option (2) 1940 — Incorrect. March 1940 is the date of the Muslim League resolution for autonomy of Muslim-majority areas.

Option (3) 1939 — Correct. The Viceroy refused the Congress offer of war support for a promise of independence. In protest, the Congress ministries resigned in October 1939.

Option (4) 1942 — Incorrect. August 1942 is when the Quit India campaign began, after the Cripps Mission failed.

NCERT (2026-27): “3.2 Dialogues …
The offer was refused. In protest, the Congress ministries resigned in October 1939. Through 1940 and 1941, the Congress organised a series of individual satyagrahas to pressure the rulers to promise freedom once the war had ended.”

“… When negotiations with the Viceroy broke down, the Congress ministries resigned.”