Introduction – Gandhi’s Entry into Indian Politics

• Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) played a crucial role in the Indian freedom struggle.
• He introduced non-violent resistance (Satyagraha) as a powerful tool against British rule.
• Gandhi’s leadership united Indians across class, caste, and religious lines.

Gandhi’s Early Movements in India (1915–1919)

Gandhi returned from South Africa in 1915 and launched movements to address local grievances.

Champaran Satyagraha (1917, Bihar)

• Issue: Indigo farmers were forced to grow indigo instead of food crops.
• Gandhi’s Role: Led a peaceful protest, forcing British authorities to grant relief to peasants.
• Significance: Marked Gandhi’s first successful Satyagraha in India.

Kheda Satyagraha (1918, Gujarat)

• Issue: Farmers suffered crop failure but were forced to pay high land taxes.
• Gandhi’s Role: Advocated tax suspension until conditions improved.
• Significance: Strengthened Gandhi’s image as a mass leader.

Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918, Gujarat)

• Issue: Textile mill workers demanded better wages.
• Gandhi’s Role: Used hunger strike to support workers’ demands.
• Significance: First application of Satyagraha in an industrial dispute.

The Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919)

• The British introduced the Rowlatt Act (1919) to curb nationalist activities.
• The law allowed arrest without trial, leading to widespread protests.

Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (April 13, 1919, Amritsar)

• Issue: General Dyer ordered troops to fire on an unarmed gathering.
• Casualties: Hundreds killed, thousands injured.
• Impact: Increased anti-British sentiments, leading to Gandhi’s call for non-cooperation.

Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922)

• Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement in response to Jallianwala Bagh and British policies.
• The movement aimed to boycott British goods, services, and institutions.

Main Features of the Movement

• Boycott of foreign goods, schools, colleges, and government services.
• Promotion of Swadeshi (indigenous goods) and Khadi (hand-spun cloth).
• Mass participation, including students, peasants, and traders.

Suspension of the Movement (1922)

• The movement was called off after the violent Chauri Chaura incident (Feb 1922).
• A mob burned a police station, killing 22 policemen.
• Gandhi withdrew the movement, emphasizing non-violence.

Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–1934)

The failure of constitutional talks led Gandhi to launch the Civil Disobedience Movement.

The Salt March (Dandi March, March 12–April 6, 1930)

• Gandhi marched 240 miles from Sabarmati to Dandi to break the salt law.
• Thousands joined, making salt in defiance of British laws.
• Significance: The movement spread nationwide, involving women, peasants, and students.

British Response and Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931)

• British arrested thousands, including Gandhi.
• Gandhi agreed to suspend the movement under the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.
• Gandhi attended the Second Round Table Conference (1931), but it failed.

Revival and Decline of the Movement

• The movement resumed in 1932 but was suppressed.
• British introduced the Communal Award (separate electorates for Dalits), leading to divisions.

Quit India Movement (1942) – The Final Mass Struggle

• During World War II, the British refused to grant India independence.
• Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement, demanding immediate British withdrawal.

Key Features of the Movement

• Gandhi’s Call: “Do or Die” – Non-violent resistance against British rule.
• British Response: Mass arrests, including Gandhi, Nehru, and Patel.
• Protests: Strikes, sabotage of railways and communication lines.

Significance and Outcomes

• Despite suppression, the movement showed Indian unity and determination.
• It convinced the British that they could no longer rule India.
• It paved the way for post-war negotiations on independence.

Gandhi’s Vision for India – Social and Economic Ideals

Gandhi’s nationalist movement was not just political but also social and economic.

Social Reforms

• Abolition of untouchability (Harijan upliftment).
• Promotion of Hindu-Muslim unity.
• Women’s empowerment and participation in politics.

Economic Ideas

• Self-sufficient villages (Gram Swaraj).
• Promotion of Khadi and handicrafts.
• Opposition to industrial capitalism and exploitation.

Partition and Gandhi’s Role in the Final Years

• Despite Gandhi’s efforts for Hindu-Muslim unity, India was partitioned in 1947.
• Gandhi opposed communal violence and worked for peace between Hindus and Muslims.

The Partition of India (1947)

• Mountbatten Plan led to the division of India and Pakistan.
• Mass migrations and communal riots followed.

Gandhi’s Assassination (January 30, 1948)

• Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse.
• He was blamed for favoring Muslims and opposing Hindu nationalism.

Conclusion