Unit 3: The Gandhian Era and Mass Movements
1. The Emergence of Mahatma Gandhi in Indian Politics
After returning from South Africa in 1915, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi spent a year traveling across India on the advice of his political guru, G.K. Gokhale. He introduced the concept of Satyagraha (clinging to truth) which combined non-violence with active resistance.
A. Initial Local Satyagrahas
- Champaran Satyagraha (1917): Against the Tinkathia system where peasants were forced to grow Indigo on 3/20th of their land. It was Gandhi’s first successful experiment in India.
- Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918): Gandhi intervened in a dispute between mill owners and workers over plague bonuses. He used hunger strike as a weapon for the first time.
- Kheda Satyagraha (1918): Peasants demanded revenue remission due to crop failure. Gandhi organized a protest where even those who could afford to pay refused, in solidarity with the poor.
2. The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922)
Launched at the Nagpur Session (1920), this was the first truly national-level mass movement. It was sparked by the Rowlatt Act, Jallianwala Bagh massacre, and the Khilafat injustice.
A. Program of Action
- Negative Aspect: Boycott of British schools, courts, titles, and foreign cloth.
- Positive Aspect: Promotion of Khadi, establishment of national schools (like Kashi Vidyapeeth), and Hindu-Muslim unity.
B. The Chauri Chaura Incident
In February 1922, a mob at Chauri Chaura (UP) burned a police station, killing 22 policemen. Gandhi immediately called off the movement, stating that the masses were not yet trained for non-violence.
Exam Note: Be prepared to discuss the Khilafat Movement's role. Gandhi supported the Ali Brothers to bridge the gap between Hindus and Muslims in the struggle against the British.
3. The Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–1934)
While Non-Cooperation was about passive refusal, Civil Disobedience was about active defiance of colonial laws.
A. The Salt Satyagraha (Dandi March)
"On March 12, 1930, Gandhi began the historic march from Sabarmati to Dandi (240 miles) with 78 followers. On April 6, he broke the salt law, signaling the start of the movement."
B. Key Features
- Defiance of salt laws and forest laws.
- Refusal to pay Chaukidari Tax in Eastern India.
- Vast participation of women (Sarojini Naidu led the raid on Dharasana Salt Works).
- Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931): A temporary truce where Gandhi agreed to attend the Second Round Table Conference.
4. The Quit India Movement (1942)
Following the failure of the Cripps Mission, the Congress passed the 'Quit India' resolution in Bombay on August 8, 1942.
A. Characteristics
- Slogan: Gandhi gave the call "Do or Die" (Karo ya Maro).
- Leadership: Since all top leaders were arrested on August 9, it became a "leaderless movement" led by underground activists like Aruna Asaf Ali and Jayaprakash Narayan.
- Nature: It was the most violent of Gandhi’s movements, involving attacks on telegraph lines and railway stations.
5. Exam Focus: Comparison & FAQs
Comparison Table: NCM vs CDM
Mnemonic for Chronology: C-A-K-N-C-Q (Champaran, Ahmedabad, Kheda, Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, Quit India)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why did Gandhi pick Salt as a symbol?
A: Salt was a basic necessity for every Indian. The British monopoly on salt affected the poor more than the rich, making it a perfect unifying issue.
Q: What was the significance of the 1942 movement?
A: It demonstrated that the British could no longer rule India without the consent of the Indians. It was the "point of no return."
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