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Introduction:

  • Return to India: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi returned to India in January 1915 after spending two decades abroad, where he honed his distinctive nonviolent protest techniques, known as satyagraha, in South Africa.
  • Advocacy for Unity and Equality: Gandhi emphasized religious unity and highlighted the unfair treatment of lower castes and women by upper-caste Indians.
  • Nationwide Tour: Upon returning to India, Gandhi embarked on a rail tour across the country to understand the issues facing farmers, peasants, and urban laborers, organizing rallies to support them.
  • First Major Appearance: Gandhi’s first significant public appearance in India was in February 1916 at the opening of Banaras Hindu University (BHU), marking the beginning of his direct involvement in Indian politics.

Body:

Early Campaigns:

  • Champaran, 1917: Gandhi led a campaign in Champaran, addressing the grievances of indigo farmers, marking his first major involvement in Indian agrarian issues.
  • Ahmedabad and Kheda, 1918: In Gujarat, Gandhi’s campaigns in Ahmedabad and Kheda demonstrated his commitment to addressing the struggles of the poor and cemented his reputation as a nationalist leader.

Opposition to British Policies:

  • Rowlatt Act, 1919: In response to the harsh measures introduced by the British government during and after World War I, particularly the Rowlatt Act, Gandhi launched a nationwide movement, marking his emergence as a national leader.
  • Punjab Protests: The protests were particularly intense in Punjab, where many soldiers, expecting rewards for their service in the war, were met with repression instead. Gandhi’s attempt to visit Punjab led to his imprisonment, while local Congress leaders were also arrested.

Non-Cooperation Movement:

  • Nationwide Campaign: Emboldened by the success of the Rowlatt Satyagraha, Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1920, urging Indians to boycott British institutions, including schools, courts, and taxes, to cripple the colonial administration.
  • Khilafat Movement: Gandhi sought to unite Hindus and Muslims by linking the Non-Cooperation Movement with the Khilafat issue, aiming to bring the two major religious communities together against British rule.
  • Widespread Participation: The movement saw unprecedented participation across India—students boycotted government-run institutions, lawyers refused to attend court, workers went on strike, and rural areas erupted in protest, often independently of local nationalist leadership.
  • Impact: The Non-Cooperation Movement was the first mass movement that seriously challenged British rule in India since the Revolt of 1857, shaking the British Raj to its core.

Conclusion:

Chauri Chaura Incident: In February 1922, violence erupted when a mob of peasants burned down a police station in Chauri Chaura, forcing Gandhi to call off the Non-Cooperation Movement.

Aftermath: The movement saw the imprisonment of hundreds of Indians, including Gandhi himself, who was arrested in March 1922 and charged with sedition. Despite its abrupt end, the Non-Cooperation Movement marked a significant milestone in India’s struggle for independence, demonstrating the power of mass nonviolent resistance.

Legacy Editor Changed status to publish August 19, 2024