Introduction – The Growth of Nationalism in India

• The First World War (1914–1918) created economic and political hardships for Indians.
• Rising prices, forced recruitment of soldiers, and heavy taxes caused unrest.
• The Russian Revolution (1917) inspired Indian nationalists with ideas of equality and self-rule.
• Mahatma Gandhi returned to India in 1915 and started using Satyagraha (nonviolent resistance) against British policies.

The Idea of Satyagraha – Gandhi’s Method of Protest

• Satyagraha means “truth-force” or “soul-force.”
• It was based on nonviolent resistance and moral force rather than violence.
• Gandhi believed that if people followed truth and nonviolence, they could defeat injustice.

Early Satyagraha Movements

• Champaran Satyagraha (1917, Bihar) – Protest against British indigo planters forcing farmers into unfair contracts.
• Kheda Satyagraha (1918, Gujarat) – Peasants refused to pay taxes due to famine.
• Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918) – Gandhi supported textile workers demanding better wages.

The Rowlatt Act (1919) and Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

The Rowlatt Act (1919)

• The British passed this law to arrest Indians without trial and suppress protests.
• Indians opposed it, calling it “Black Law.”
• Gandhi launched a nationwide Satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act.

Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (April 13, 1919)

• Thousands of people gathered in Amritsar to protest peacefully.
• General Dyer ordered British soldiers to fire on the unarmed crowd.
• Hundreds were killed, sparking nationwide anger.

The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922)

After Jallianwala Bagh, Gandhi launched Non-Cooperation to unite Indians against British rule.

Gandhi’s Call for Non-Cooperation

• Boycott British goods, schools, and law courts.
• Resign from government jobs.
• Promote Khadi (hand-spun cloth) and Swadeshi (Indian goods).

Participation of Different Social Groups

• Middle-Class Urban People – Students, teachers, and lawyers left British institutions.
• Peasants and Tribals – Protested against high taxes and landlords.
• Workers and Industrialists – Some joined, but businessmen feared losing British markets.

The Chauri Chaura Incident and End of the Movement (1922)

• In Chauri Chaura (U.P.), protesters turned violent and burned a police station.
• Gandhi called off the movement, as he opposed violence.

The Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–1934)

Unlike Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience aimed at breaking British laws openly.

The Simon Commission and Its Boycott (1927)

• The British sent the Simon Commission to discuss reforms, but it had no Indian members.
• Indians protested with slogans like “Simon Go Back!”
• The British responded with brutal force, leading to further protests.

The Demand for Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence, 1929)

• The Indian National Congress (INC) declared independence at the Lahore Session (1929).
• January 26, 1930, was celebrated as “Independence Day” all over India.

The Salt March (Dandi March, 1930)

• Gandhi marched 240 miles (385 km) to Dandi, Gujarat, to break the British salt law.
• Thousands joined, making it a nationwide movement.
• Salt became a symbol of Indian resistance.

British Response – Brutal Repression

• Gandhi, Nehru, and other leaders were arrested.
• People were beaten and jailed for making salt.

The Participation of Different Social Groups

Rich and Poor Peasants

• Rich peasants (Jats, Patidars) joined to protest high land revenue.
• Poor peasants wanted lower rent but did not get much support from Congress.

Businessmen and Industrialists

• Supported the movement to end British trade restrictions.
• But they did not support radical protests that harmed their profits.

Women in the National Movement

• Women, including Sarojini Naidu, Kasturba Gandhi, and Kamala Nehru, actively joined protests.
• They picketed shops selling foreign goods and led processions.

The Limits of Civil Disobedience

• Not all groups fully supported the movement.
• Dalits (untouchables) wanted social reforms, not just political independence.
• Many Muslim leaders felt alienated, leading to the demand for Pakistan later.

The Sense of Collective Belonging – The Role of Culture and Symbols

• Nationalism became stronger through symbols, songs, and history.
• Vande Mataram (by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay) became a patriotic song.
• The Indian tricolor flag was widely used in protests.
• Myths and folk tales were used to inspire people against the British.

Conclusion

• Gandhi introduced Satyagraha as a nonviolent method of protest.
• The Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh Massacre increased anger against British rule.
• The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922) encouraged boycotts but was called off after violence.
• The Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–1934) focused on breaking British laws, starting with the Salt March.
• People from different backgrounds participated, but nationalism had internal divisions.
• Culture, symbols, and mass movements created a sense of unity among Indians.