Unit 1: English Summary – Era of Gandhi and Mass Movement

Entry of Gandhi and The Non-Cooperation Movement

Introduction

The early twentieth century marked a significant phase in India’s struggle for independence. The Indian national movement saw the emergence of Mahatma Gandhi, who revolutionized the nature of mass movements through his unique philosophy of non-violence (Ahimsa) and non-cooperation (Asahyog). His entry into Indian politics transformed the freedom struggle from an elitist discourse into a mass-based movement. The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922) was the first large-scale movement under his leadership, demonstrating the power of nonviolent resistance.

1. Gandhi’s Entry into Indian Politics

Early Influences and Political Awakening

Mahatma Gandhi was born in 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat. He studied law in London and later moved to South Africa, where he spent two decades fighting for the rights of Indian immigrants against racial discrimination. His experience in South Africa, particularly his campaigns against unjust laws, shaped his belief in Satyagraha (truth-force), which would later become the foundation of his resistance movements in India.

Upon his return to India in 1915, Gandhi spent the initial years traveling across the country to understand the plight of the people. During this time, he observed the suffering caused by British rule and realized that India’s freedom struggle needed a new strategy—one that involved the masses.

Initial Movements in India

Before launching the Non-Cooperation Movement, Gandhi experimented with Satyagraha in localized struggles:

1.      Champaran Satyagraha (1917): This was Gandhi’s first major political activity in India. He led the struggle of indigo farmers in Bihar against the oppressive Tinkathia system imposed by British landlords.

2.    Kheda Satyagraha (1918): Peasants in Gujarat were unable to pay taxes due to crop failure. Gandhi led a successful nonviolent protest, forcing the British to waive the taxes.

3.    Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918): Gandhi mediated a dispute between mill workers and employers, advocating for better wages and working conditions.

These early successes established him as a leader who could mobilize people through nonviolent resistance.

2. The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922)

The Non-Cooperation Movement was the first organized mass protest led by Gandhi against British rule. It was launched in response to several key events:

Causes of the Movement

1.      Rowlatt Act (1919): This draconian law allowed the British government to arrest people without trial, leading to widespread resentment.

2.    Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919): General Dyer ordered the killing of hundreds of unarmed civilians in Amritsar, sparking national outrage.

3.    Khilafat Movement (1919-1924): Muslim leaders in India opposed the British treatment of the Ottoman Caliphate after World War I. Gandhi saw this as an opportunity to unite Hindus and Muslims against the British.

4.    Economic Exploitation: The British drained Indian resources through heavy taxation and trade policies that favored British industries at the cost of Indian artisans and farmers.

Objectives of the Movement

The movement aimed to:

Weaken British administration by boycotting British institutions.

Promote self-reliance through indigenous industries (Swadeshi).

Create a unified national movement involving all sections of society.

Gandhian Techniques Used

1. Boycott of British Goods and Institutions

People stopped buying British-made clothes and started using Khadi (hand-spun cloth).

Government schools, courts, and civil services were boycotted.

Lawyers like C. Rajagopalachari and Motilal Nehru gave up their practices.

2. Promotion of Swadeshi

Gandhi encouraged self-reliance by promoting Charkha (spinning wheel) as a symbol of economic independence.

Indigenous products were used to weaken British control over Indian markets.

3. Resignation from Government Positions

Many leaders and officers resigned from British-appointed positions to weaken colonial administration.

4. Mass Protests and Satyagraha

Peaceful demonstrations and processions were organized.

People refused to pay taxes, forcing the government into a crisis.

Impact of the Movement

Mass Mobilization: For the first time, Indian freedom struggle became a pan-Indian movement, involving peasants, laborers, and merchants.

Hindu-Muslim Unity: The joint leadership of Gandhi and Muslim leaders like Maulana Shaukat Ali and Maulana Mohammad Ali strengthened communal unity.

Weakened British Economy: The boycott of British goods caused economic losses for British industries.

Rise of Nationalism: Indians became more self-reliant and realized the power of collective resistance.

Suspension of the Movement (1922)

Despite its success, the movement was abruptly called off by Gandhi after the Chauri Chaura incident (1922), where a violent mob killed 22 policemen. Gandhi believed that India was not yet ready for complete nonviolence and withdrew the movement, disappointing many leaders, including Subhas Chandra Bose and Jawaharlal Nehru.

3. Rise of Revolutionary Movements

While Gandhi’s nonviolent approach gained mass support, some leaders believed that armed resistance was the only way to overthrow British rule. Key revolutionary movements included:

Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA): Founded by Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, and Rajguru, it aimed to achieve independence through direct action.

Kakori Conspiracy (1925): Led by Ram Prasad Bismil and Ashfaqulla Khan, revolutionaries looted a government train carrying British funds.

Bhagat Singh and the Lahore Conspiracy (1929): Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt threw a bomb in the Central Legislative Assembly to protest repressive laws.

Though these movements were small in scale, they significantly inspired future generations and created an alternate path for independence.

4. Role of Subhas Chandra Bose

Unlike Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose believed that armed struggle and international alliances were necessary for India’s freedom. His key contributions include:

Formation of Forward Bloc (1939): Aimed at uniting all anti-British forces.

Azad Hind Fauj (Indian National Army – INA): With Japanese support, Bose organized the INA to fight the British militarily.

Famous Speech “Give me blood, and I will give you freedom”: Inspired many Indians to take up arms.

While Bose and Gandhi had opposing strategies, both played crucial roles in India’s independence.

Conclusion

The Non-Cooperation Movement was a turning point in India’s freedom struggle. It transformed Indian nationalism into a mass-based movement, incorporating peasants, workers, and women into the struggle. Gandhi’s philosophy of Satyagraha became the foundation of future movements like the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-34) and Quit India Movement (1942).

While the movement did not achieve immediate independence, it significantly weakened British authority, prepared Indians for future resistance, and set the stage for India’s eventual independence in 1947. The revolutionary movements and Subhas Chandra Bose’s INA further demonstrated that the fight for independence was carried out through multiple strategies.

India’s struggle for freedom was ultimately a combination of nonviolent resistance, armed struggle, and international diplomatic efforts, making it one of the most unique liberation movements in history.