6: Mahatma Gandhi and National

Movement

Satyagrah This word is derived from two words - ‘Satya’ and ‘Agraha’, which

means “truth-force”. It is different from passive resistance. Passive resistance did

not exclue using force for gaining one’s side but Satyagrah exlude all type of

voilence.

Swadeshi This means that producing necessary items Iin one’s own country and

using it without being dependent on imported goods.

Non-Cooperation It is a way of protesting in which one do not co-operate with

evil-doer.

Gandhiji was involved in

Champaran Satyagrah in Bihar (1917)

Ahemdabad Satyagrah (1918)

Kheda Satyadrah (1918)

Non - Cooperation

Causes that lead to non-cooperation movement

Khilafat Movement

Rowlatt Act

o Arrest of person without warrant

o Restriction on movement of individuals

o In-camera trials

o Suspension of Habeas Corpus

Jaliawanwala Bagh Tragedy

Objectives of non-cooperation movement

Attainment of self-government within British Empire if possible and

outside if necessary.

Anullment of Rowlatt Act and Remedying Punjab Wrong

Remedying Khilafat Wrong

Boycott and Swadeshi were weapons. Colleges like Jamia Milia Islamia , Bihar

Vidyapith , Kashi Vidyapith and Gujarat Vidyapith were established.

Chauri Chura: In Gorakhpur a peaceful demonstration turned into a violent clash

with the police. Hearing of the incident, Mahatma Gandhi called a pause to the

Non-Cooperation Movement. Gandhiji asked congressmen to give attention to

o Hindu-Muslim unity

o Removal of untouchability

o Popularisation of Swaraj and Khadi

Impact of non-cooperation movement:

Fostered Hindu-Muslim unity

Popularised the cult of Swaraj

Congress became revolutionary movement

The National movement became mass movement

Promoted social reforms

Civil Disobedience

Factors Leading to civil disobedience movement:

Simon Commission

Declarartion of Poorna swaraj in 16th January 1929 under the

presidentship of Jawaharlal Nehru.

Programme civil disobedience movement:

Defiance of Salt Laws

Boycott of foreign cloth and British goods of all kind

Boycott of Liquor

Non-payment of taxes and revenues

Abdul Gaffar Khan The Frontier Gandhi . Pathans organised a socienty

“Khudai Khidmatgars” known as Red Shirts under his leadership.

Rani Gaidilieu At age of 13 raised the banner of revolt against British in

North-East.

Gandhi Irwin Pact:

The Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed on 5th March 1931. Gandhiji agreed to attend

the Second Round Table Conference in London. He also suspended the Civil

Disobedience Movement.

Release all political prisoners except those guilt of voilence

Permit free collection and manufacture of salt by persons near the

seacoast.

Permit peaceful pickiting of liquor and foreign cloth shops

To suspend Civil Disobdience Movement

To participate in second session of Round Table Conference

Round Table Conference:

First Round Table Conference It was held in London. Congress did

not participated in it.

Second Round Table Conference Lasted for 3 months. Mahatma

Gandhi participated in it as a sole representative of Congress. He returned

disappointed.

Thrid Round Table Conference Congress did not participate in it.

Attended by 46 delegates only. Communal Award was announced which

provided separate representation to Muslims,Buddhists,Sikhs,Indian

Christians , Anglo Indians,Europeans and the Depressed Classes.

Gandhiji opposed Communal award. Dr. Ambedkar, leader of the

depressed classes agreed not to accept this award. Reservation of seats

for these classes was agreed to this is often called Poona Pact.

Impact/Importance:

It made people understand the importance of the principle of non-

voilence .

It was a mass movement in which people of all sections took part

This movement continued till Gandhiji suspended it, in spite of

British atrocities. This showed clearly that the Indians were not going

to be cowed down by the British any further.

Movement revived the will to fight the elections.