Assertion (A): Lord Linlithgow described the August Movement of 1942 as the most serious revolt after the Sepoy mutiny. Reason (R): Peasants joined the movement in large number in some places.

The correct option is Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation

The August Movement of 1942, also known as the Quit India Movement, marked a mass upsurge against British rule involving widespread participation across regions.

• Assertion (A): Correct.
  Lord Linlithgow described the August Movement as the most serious revolt since the Revolt of 1857 due to its intensity, scale, and disruption of administrative machinery across many parts of India.
• Reason (R): Correct.
  Peasants participated in large numbers in several regions, contributing significantly to the spread and intensity of the movement. Their involvement transformed the movement into a broad-based mass uprising.

The large-scale participation of peasants and other sections of society explains why the movement was considered highly serious and widespread.

Key Takeaway: The Quit India Movement became a major mass uprising due to widespread participation, especially by peasants, making it one of the most serious challenges to British rule after 1857.