INSIGHTS IAS

MODERN INDIAN HISTORY

EARLY GANDHIAN MOVEMENT &

BARDOLI SATYAGRAHA

Champaran Satyagraha

The Champaran Satyagraha in India was initiated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1917.

The primary cause of this movement was the exploitation of the indigo farmers by British
landlords in the Champaran district of Bihar. The landlords forced the farmers to cultivate indigo,
a cash crop, instead of food crops, leading to poverty and distress among the local population.

The prominent leaders of the Champaran Satyagraha included Mahatma Gandhi, Rajendra
Prasad, Anugrah Narayan Sinha, Mazharul Haque and Brajkishore Prasad. These leaders
played a crucial role in organizing protests and mobilizing support for the movement.

The Main objective of this movement were to abolish the Tinkathia system, which forced
farmers to cultivate indigo on 3/20th of their land without payment, and to reduce the
high rents that farmers had to pay for their land

Other objectives of the Champaran Satyagraha were to end the oppressive indigo system,
secure the rights and dignity of the indigo farmers, and raise awareness about the exploitation
faced by rural communities. This movement aimed to challenge British authority and establish
the principles of non-violence and civil disobedience as effective tools for social and political
change.

The Champaran Satyagraha had several distinctive features. It marked the first time Mahatma
Gandhi employed non-violent civil disobedience on a large scale. The movement also
emphasized the importance of self-reliance and self-sufficiency, encouraging the local
population to grow food crops instead of indigo. Another notable feature was the involvement of
lawyers and intellectuals who provided legal and intellectual support to the movement.

The outcomes of the Champaran Satyagraha were significant.

Formation of Champaran Agrarian committee with Gandhi as one of its member.

The movement resulted in the abolition of the Tinkathia system, under which the farmers
were forced to grow indigo.

It also led to improved working conditions and increased wages for the indigo farmers.
Moreover, the Champaran Satyagraha served as a catalyst for the larger non-cooperation
movement against British colonial rule in India.
Few relevant quotes:

1. "The Champaran Satyagraha was a turning point in Mahatma Gandhi's life, as it marked his
first successful experiment with non-violent resistance."

2. "The indigo farmers of Champaran faced extreme poverty and hardship due to the
exploitative indigo system."

3. "The Champaran Satyagraha not only secured justice for the indigo farmers but also paved
the way for future mass movements against British colonial rule."

Champaran Satyagraha played a crucial role in India's struggle for independence and
highlighted the power of non-violence in achieving social and political change.

Ahmedabad Mill strike

The Ahmedabad mill strike, also known as the Ahmedabad Textile Labour Association (TLA)
strike, took place in India in 1918. It was led by Mahatma Gandhi, who played a significant role
in organizing and advocating for the rights of the mill workers.

Causes of the Ahmedabad mill strike:

1. Working conditions: The mill workers faced harsh working conditions, including long hours,
low wages, and lack of proper sanitation facilities.
2. Wage cuts: The mill owners imposed wage cuts without consulting the workers, exacerbating
their financial difficulties. Also, war time taxation had led to severe inflation therefore, mill
workers demanded 50% hike in wages and Mill owners refused.
3. Demand for restoration of Plague Bonus

Prominent leaders:
1. Mahatma Gandhi: He led the strike and advocated for the rights of the mill workers.
2. Anasuyaben Sarabhai: She played a crucial role in organizing and mobilizing the mill
workers.

Objectives of the Ahmedabad mill strike:

1. Improved working conditions: The workers demanded better working conditions, including
reasonable working hours, fair wages, and improved sanitation facilities.
2. Wage restoration: The workers sought the restoration of their wages to previous levels before
the cuts were imposed.
3. Equal treatment: They demanded an end to discriminatory practices based on caste and
gender.

Features of the Ahmedabad mill strike:

1. Non-violent resistance: Inspired by Gandhi's principles of non-violence, the strike emphasized
peaceful protests and civil disobedience.
2. Unity and solidarity: The mill workers came together to fight for their rights, demonstrating a
sense of unity and solidarity.
3. Active participation of women: Women played a significant role in the strike, highlighting their
involvement in the labor movement.

Outcomes of the Ahmedabad mill strike:

1. Partial success: The mill owners agreed to some of the demands, including the increase of
wages by 35% and improved working conditions.
2. Formation of the Textile Labour Association (TLA): The strike led to the establishment of the
TLA, an organization dedicated to protecting the rights of workers.
3. Inspiration for future movements: The Ahmedabad mill strike served as an inspiration for
future labor movements and highlighted the power of non-violent resistance in fighting for
workers' rights.

Few Relevant quotes:

1. "The Ahmedabad mill strike marked a significant moment in the labor movement in India, with
Mahatma Gandhi leading the workers in their fight for justice."

2. "The strike brought attention to the deplorable working conditions and low wages faced by the
mill workers, leading to important reforms."

3. "The Ahmedabad mill strike showcased the effectiveness of non-violent resistance in

achieving workers' rights and inspired similar movements across the country."

Ahmedabad mill strike led by Mahatma Gandhi reflected the struggle of mill workers for
improved working conditions and fair treatment. It highlighted the power of non-violent
resistance and collective action in achieving social justice and inspired future labor movements
in India.

Kheda Satyagraha

The Kheda Satyagraha was a significant movement in India led by Mahatma Gandhi in 1918. It
was initiated in response to the oppressive taxation policies of the British colonial government in
the Kheda district of Gujarat.

The primary cause of the Kheda Satyagraha was the severe famine and crop failure in Kheda,
which led to widespread poverty and inability of farmers to pay taxes.

Despite the dire situation, the British government insisted on not only collecting taxes but also
increasing it by 23%, causing immense hardship for the local population.
Though they were legally entitled to remission as the production in that year was less than a
quarter(1/4th or 25%) of average production.

The prominent leaders of the Kheda Satyagraha included Mahatma Gandhi, Vallabhbhai
Patel, Mohanlal Pandya and Narhari Parikh. These leaders played a pivotal role in organizing
protests, mobilizing support, and negotiating with the British government.

The objectives of the Kheda Satyagraha were to demand relief from the excessive taxation
imposed on the farmers, secure remission of land revenue, and alleviate the economic burden
on the affected population. The movement aimed to challenge the unjust policies of the British
government and promote the principles of non-violence and civil disobedience.

The Kheda Satyagraha had several distinctive features. One notable feature was the
participation of women in large numbers, demonstrating their active involvement in the struggle
for justice. The movement also emphasized the importance of unity and collective action in the
face of adversity.

The outcomes of the Kheda Satyagraha were significant.

1. The British government eventually agreed to suspend the collection of taxes in Kheda and
provided some relief measures to the affected farmers.

2. Increase of land revenue rate was brought down from 23 to 6%.

3. Also, increased rate was to be collected from the upcoming year. The movement showcased
the power of non-violent resistance in achieving tangible results and inspired similar movements
across India.

Few relevant quotes:

1. "The Kheda Satyagraha highlighted the plight of the farmers and forced the British
government to reconsider its taxation policies."

2. "The Kheda Satyagraha marked Vallabhbhai Patel's emergence as a prominent leader and
his close association with Mahatma Gandhi."

3. "The success of the Kheda Satyagraha inspired other regions in India to launch similar
movements against the British government."

Kheda Satyagraha symbolized the resilience and determination of the Indian people in their
struggle for freedom and justice. It demonstrated the power of non-violent resistance as a
means to challenge oppressive policies and paved the way for the larger independence
movement in India.
Rowlatt Satyagraha

The Rowlatt Satyagraha was a non-violent protest led by Mahatma Gandhi against the unjust
Rowlatt Act passed by the British government.

BACKGROUND:

The Rowlatt Act was the popular name for the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act of 1919
passed by the British Indian government.

This Act was termed the ‘Black Act’ by the Indian public because of its unjust and restrictive
nature. The Act was passed by the Imperial Legislative Council on 18th March 1919. It basically
extended the emergency provisions imposed by the 1915 Defence of India Act that was passed
during the First World War.

The Act gave the government the power to imprison any person suspected of terrorist activities
for a maximum period of two years without trial.

It also provided for preventive indefinite detention and also arrest without a warrant. Other
provisions were juryless trials for forbidden political acts. Convicted people were to deposit
securities upon their release and also refrain from taking part in any political, religious or
educational activities. The Rowlatt Act also severely curbed the freedom of the press.

The prominent leaders of this movement were Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Dr.
Satyapal and Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew.

The objectives of this movement were to oppose the Rowlatt Act and to prevent rising anger
in India by removing its oppressive clauses.

The features of this movement were that it was non-violent and peaceful. People would refrain
from going to work and hold meetings against the repressive act.

The outcomes of this movement were that it led to widespread protests across India and
resulted in violent clashes between protesters and police in many parts of India especially in
Punjab.

However, the movement served as a catalyst for the larger non-cooperation movement led by
Mahatma Gandhi, which further intensified the struggle for independence in India.

Few relevant quotes:

1. "The Rowlatt Act was seen as a gross violation of civil liberties and sparked widespread
protests and opposition across India."
2. "The Rowlatt Satyagraha marked a turning point in India's struggle for independence and was
a precursor to the larger non-cooperation movement."

3. "The Rowlatt Satyagraha showcased the power of non-violent resistance and the
determination of the Indian people in their fight for freedom and justice."

Rowlatt Satyagraha was a significant movement that highlighted the oppressive nature of British
colonial rule in India. It galvanized support for the larger struggle for independence and
emphasized the principles of non-violence and civil disobedience as powerful tools for social
and political change.

The Rowlatt Act was an Act of the Imperial Legislative Council of British India that was passed
on March 18, 1919, giving the government sweeping powers to suppress dissent. The Act
was named after its sponsor, Sir Sidney Rowlatt, a British judge.

The reasons behind the enactment of the Rowlatt Act were:

● The British government feared that there would be an increase in revolutionary activity
in India after the end of World War I.
● The government wanted to be able to suppress any uprisings or protests against
British rule.
● The government wanted to be able to detain people without trial if they were
suspected of being involved in seditious activities.

The important features of the Rowlatt Act were:

● It allowed the government to detain people without trial for up to two years.
● Special tribunal was set up for adjudicating cases related to this act.
● Accused couldnt be represented by a lawyer
● There was no provision of appeal against the order of the special tribunal.
● Special court accepted the Evidences that weren’t not acceptable under Indian
evidence act 1872.
● It allowed the government to censor publications and ban public meetings.
● It allowed the government to search and seize property without a warrant.

The impacts of the Rowlatt Act were:

● It led to widespread protests and demonstrations in India.

● It alienated many Indians from the British government.
● It helped to radicalize the Indian independence movement.
● It contributed to the outbreak of the Amritsar Massacre in 1919.

The Rowlatt Act was a highly controversial law, and it was widely criticized by Indian
nationalists. The Act was eventually repealed in 1922, but it remains a symbol of British
repression in India.
Bardoli Satyagraha

The Bardoli Satyagraha was a peasant uprising in Bardoli taluka of Surat district in Gujarat,
India, in 1928. The uprising was led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who was later known as the
Iron Man of India.

The reasons for the Bardoli Satyagraha were:

● The arbitrary increase in land revenue by 30% by the Bombay Presidency government.
● The refusal of the government to negotiate with the peasants.
● The poor economic conditions of the peasants.

The prominent leaders of the Bardoli Satyagraha were:

● Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

● Indulal Yagnik
● Narhari Parikh

Patel was a prominent Gujarati politician who was known for his strong leadership and
organizational skills. Yagnik was a journalist and social worker who helped to spread the
message of the Satyagraha. Parikh was a lawyer and social activist who played a key role in
drafting the Satyagraha pledge.

The objectives of the Bardoli Satyagraha were:

● To get the 30% increase in land revenue rescinded.

● To improve the economic conditions of the peasants.
● To establish the principle of non-violence in the Indian independence movement.

The features of the Bardoli Satyagraha were:

● Non-violence: The Satyagraha was based on the principle of non-violence. Gandhi

believed that violence would only lead to more violence.
● Satyagraha: The Satyagraha was also based on the principle of Satyagraha, which
means truth and love. Gandhi believed that these principles were essential for achieving
social change.
● Ahimsa: The Satyagraha was also based on the principle of ahimsa, which means non-
injury to any living being.

The outcomes of the Bardoli Satyagraha were:

● The Bombay Presidency government rescinded the 30% increase in land revenue.
● The peasants were able to improve their economic conditions.
 ● The Bardoli Satyagraha established the principle of non-violence in the Indian
independence movement.

Here is a quote from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel about the Bardoli Satyagraha:

"The Bardoli Satyagraha was a great victory for the peasants. It showed that Satyagraha could
be used to achieve real change, even against a powerful adversary like the British government."

The Bardoli Satyagraha was a major turning point in the history of the Indian independence
movement. It showed that Gandhi's philosophy of Satyagraha could be used to achieve social
change. It also established the principle of non-violence as the main weapon of the Indian
independence movement.

The Bardoli Satyagraha was a nonviolent protest, but it did lead to some violence. In one
incident, a police officer was killed by a mob of angry peasants. However, the Satyagraha was
largely peaceful, and it is considered one of the most successful examples of Satyagraha in
Indian history.