MAHATMA GANDHI &
THE NATIONAL MOVEMENT
Chapter intro: MAHATMA GANDHI
Mahatma Gandhi was the greatest national leader of India: -Born on October 2,
1869 in Porbander, Gujarat, he went to England to study law and came back to
India in 1890 as a barrister.
Went to South Africa as a legal advisor, saw the Indians being treated like a tribe
of criminals. He fought the unjust laws boldly but non-violently.
Gandhiji returned to India in 1915 after 25 years. He launched agitations
against the Rowlatt Act and the Jallianwala Bagh Tragedy. The period 1919 to
1947, when he was an active leader of the National Movement, is called the
`Gandhian Era'.
Truth and non-violence were the two main pillars on which-the grand design of
his religion was erected. He hated untouchability. He called the untouchables
`Harijans'. He advocated the rights of women. He gave a religious base to
politics.
Gandhiji was in favour of a stateless society. He stood for the use of Swadeshi
goods and boycott of foreign goods to harm the English trade and bring them to
their knees. His philosophy is based on non-violence.
Gandhiji stressed on the unity of Hindus and Muslims for he fully understood
the strategy of `Divide and Rule' being worked out by the British.
Gandhiji advocated rights of women and stood for giving them equal status
with men. He inspired them to play an important role in the national
movement.
He introduced a new system of education called the Basic Education. Children
were taught some vocation while learning. Emphasis on simple, moral life,
character building and acquiring skills.
Ideal of Trusteeship : He believed all property belonged to god. The rich and
those in power were only "Trustees" who had to look after the welfare of the
poor and the needy.
THE NON-COOPERATION MOVEMENT (1920-22)
Causes
(i) India's economic problems multiplied after the First World` War. Acute
unemployment, poverty and heavy losses to the industry.
(ii) The western countries, like the USA, England, France Italy, etc. did not
keep their promises to grant self rule to Asian and African countries.
(iii) The Russian Revolution of 1917, made the Indian leaders realize the
power of the people to fight against tyranny and despotic rule
(iv) The western powers divided among themselves the colonies of the
defeated nations like Germany, Austria, Hungary and Turkey. This
disillusioned the Indians and made them realise the real designs of the
imperialists.
(v) The Chelmsford-Montague Reforms of 1919, The Rowlatts Act of 1919
and the tragedy of the Jallianwala Bagh sent a wave of anger throughout
India. It helped Mahatma Gandhi to launch his Non-Cooperation Movement.
(vi) The Hindu-Muslim unity, due to the Khilafat Movement was at its peak
this time and .helped Gandhiji in his cause.
Repression by the Government
Processions and public meetings banned; About 30,000 people put behind
bars; All important leaders, except Gandhiji, jailed; the Khilafat and the
Congress volunteer organisations declared illegal.
Suspension or Withdrawal of the Movement : A peaceful peasant procession
of about 3000 people at Chauri Chaura village (Goraphpur district in UP) was
fired upon by the police. The angry crowd attacked and burnt the police
station, killing 22 policemen on February 5, 1922. A shocked Gandhi,
suspended the Movement. Gandhiji arrested and sentenced to six years, jail.
Importance or Significance of the Non-cooperation
Movement
It undermined the British Power and prestige, shattered the myth of
their Rule being good for India.
Led to many social reforms. "Swadeshi" and Swaraja became the cult.
Hindu-Muslim unity strengthened.
Indian national movement became a revolutionary movement, using the
weapons of satyagraha and non-violence.
he movement became a mass movement.
MAIN EVENTS LEADING TO THE CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE
MOVEMENT (1930-34): The Swaraj Party
Gandhiji's suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement was criticised by
many congress leaders. No changers, like Sardar Patel, Dr. Ansari,Dr.
Rajendra Prasad supported Gandhiji.
But leaders like Motilal Nehru and C.R. Dass (called prochangers) wanted
to enter the legislative councils and to obstruct the government from the
inside. They set up the swaraj Party in December, 1922.
They met with success in the elections of 1923, out of 105 elected
members, 47 were swarajists in the central Legislature.
The Swarajists wanted "Swaraj" within the Empire.
With the death of C.R. Dass in 1925, the Party became weak and merged
with the Congress.
Rise of Socialism in the Congress
Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhash Chandra Bose helped the bring Socialism in the
Congress. Economic inequality, poverty and unemployment led them to found
the All India Trade Union Congress in November, 1929. Nehru was elected its
chairman. They inspired the peasants to stat a movement for reduction of
land revenue tax. Trade unions tried to safeguard their interests.
Revival of terrorism : The withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement by
Gandhiji led the youth to found a Hindustan Republican Association in 1925
to organise armed rebellion against the Government. All the young men
involved in Kakori Conspiracy Case were captured and sentenced Ram Prasad
Bismil and Ashfaqullah were hanged. Chandra Shekhar Azad led the party in
1928.
It was renamed Hindustan Socialist Republican association. The death of Lala
Lajpat Rai, due to Lathi blows made Bhagat Singh, Azad and Raj guru shoot
down, Samunders, a senior Police officer. Bhagat singh and Rajguru threw a
bomb in the central Legislative Assembly as a protest against the Public safety
Bill Government took strong measures and hanged. Bhagat singh, sukhdeve
and Rajguru in 1931. Azad shot himself in a park in Allahabad in 1931.
The Revolutionaries helped in their own way the National Movement and
pared the way for freedom.
The Simon Commission (1927): A commission, with no. Indian as its member,
was appointed by the British Government to study constitutional reforms.
The commission, called the Simon Commission, was boycotted by Indians.
Black flags and slogans of "Simon go back" greeted it every where it went.
Lala Lajpat Rai received a fatal lathi charge when he demonstrated against the
commission at Lahore. Another reason for the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Constitution drawn by Nehru Committee.
Nehru Report : Indian leaders and the national parties, accepted the British
Government's challenge to draft a constitution for India. Motilal Nehru was
the, chairman of the Constitution Commiittee. The Committee report is as
known as the Nehru Report. Its main suggestions were :
The Nehru Report was rejected by teh Muslim League and the Hindu
Mahasabha.
Demand for Purna Swaraj (1929) : In the Congress session at Lahore in 1929,
Under the Presidentship of Jawaharlal Nehru, complete Independence or
Poorna Swaraj was declared as the goal of the Congress, January 26, 1930
was celebrated as the Independence Day throughout India.
The Civil Disobedience
Movement
1. Causes or Reasons :
The Simon Commission report, death of Lala Lajpat Rai in 1929, (due to lathi
charge by the British), the Nehru Report and the Declaration of a 'Poorna
Swaraj' were the reasons leading to the Civil Disobedience Movement.
The new Viceroy, Lord Jrwin, had declared on October 31, 1929, that India
would be given Dominion status soon. He had promised to hold a Round
Table conference to discuss the Simon Commission Report.
Gandhiji's Eleven Demands : On 30th January, 1930 Gandhiji made the
following eleven demands only when these demands were met, India will
attend the Round Table Conference. Main demands
• total prohibition,
• reduction of land revenue;
• abolition of salt tax and
• protectic tariff on foreign cloth.
2. The Dandi March
March 2, 1930 : Gandhiji informed the viceroy about his decision to start Civil
Disobedience Movement.
12th March, 1930 : Gandhiji began his historic march from Sabarmati Ashram to
Dandi, a village on the sea coast of Gujarat. He was accompanied by 87 in males
of the Ashram to break the salt law. Reached Dandi on 5th April.
6th April 1930 : Gandhi broke the salt law by taking up some salt left by the sea
waves.
Civil Disobedience was different from Non-Cooperation Movement. It involved
non-payment of taxes and land revenue and breaking of some laws .
3. Progress of the Movement
Gandhiji marched from village to village, nearly 200 million. Salt Laws were his main
target.
Illegal manufacture of salt took place. In UP, Gujrat and Bengal, farmer refused to
pay the and revenue.
In North West Frontier Province, Abdul Ghaffar Khan (known as the Frontier
Gandhi) organised a volunteer brigade, known as the `Khudai Khidmatgars' or the
`Red Shirts". Mass strikes, thousands of women picketed foreign cloth and liquor
shopes.
4th May, 1930 Gandhiji was arrested Jawahar Lai Nehru, Madan Mohan Malviya
Khan Abdul Ghaffar khan were already arrested.
Repressive Measures of the Government 60,000 people put belind bars, Brutally
assaulted by mounted police, hundreds of people dried Congress organisations
declared illegal.
The First Round Table Conference (1930-31) : The Conference in London, boycotted
by the Congress because of the reign of terror unleashed in India by the British.
The Second Round Table Conference : March 1931, agreement between Gandhiji
and Lord Irvin — a Pact signed — called the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. Civil pact signed —
called the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. Civil Disobedience Movement suspended and all
political prisoners released. Gandhiji took part in the second Round Table
Conference, 7th september to Ist December. No settlement reached due to the
uncompromising attitude of Mr. M.A. Jinnah.
Revival of Civil Disobedience Movements on the January 1937. Gandhiji arrested,
more than 1,20,000 persons arrested by the British by the end of March 1933.
Cruel and vindictive police methods.
August 1932 : The Communal Award announced by the British PM. Separate
electorates for Muslims, Sikhs and Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians, Europeans etc.
Gandhi goes on a fast unto death. Dr. Ambedkar and Gandhi meet.
Poona Pact Number of seats reserved for Depressed classes doubled but no
separate electorates.
Third Round. Table Conference (I,'w 17 to Dec. 24, 1932) Gandhiji released from jail
on May 1933, Movement suspended and it wound by 1934. Gandhiji's withdrawl
from politics after the failure of 3rd Round Table Conference. Congress did not
attend.
Importance of the Civil Disobedience
Movement
Though the movement was suspended, the tide of patriotic fervour never
died down.
The Government rushed in with constitutional reforms. The Government of
India Act of 1935 introduced the federal principle and provincial autonomy.
Revival of the Revolutionary Movement : The Civil Disobedience Movement
led to the revival of the Revolutionary Movement in India. Bhagat Singh, his
comrades Sukhdev and Rajguru were hanged in 1931 (during the period of
Civil Disobedience Movement 1930-30)
Will to Fight the Elections was revived. In 1937, Congress took part in Central
Legislative Assembly and Provincial legislative elections.
Though crushed, the roots of freedom depened in
India due to the Civil Disobedience Movement.
GANDHIJI'S CONTRIBUTION TO FREEDOM
MOVEMENT
Greatest contribution made by Mahatma Gandhi to the achievement of
independence for India. He dominated Indian politics from 1919 to 1947.
His first act was opposition to the Rowlatt Act of 1919, the Government could
not intimidate him.
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (April 6, 1919) Gandhij's call for strike aroused great
enthusiasm which led to the Massacre at Amritsar. Gandhiji was arrested but the
British had to release him.
Non-Cooperation Movement was a success based on the theory that the British
could not
stay in India, without the cooperation of the Indians.
The Satyagraha. Movement : A great weapon. He sometimes observed fasts unto
death to force the hand of the British Government.
His policy of non-violence forced the British to leave India.
The Swadeshi Movement. It hit the merchant nation of England very badly.
Indians boycotted foreign goods which led to the improvement of Indian
industries and Indian workers got employment.
Hindu-Muslim Unity — Whenever communal riots broke out in the country,
Gandhiji asked his ownlife to restore peace. He fought the British policy of Divide
and Rule.
Harijan Uplift : Greatest attention was paid by him to uplift the Harijans.
He made the National Movement a Mass Movement. His movements were
supported by all the classes of people, caste, creed or religion. Women fought
side by side with men.
He sacrificed his life for the cause of India's freedom, and went to jail many
times, never shaken from his task.