THE BISHOP’S SCHOOL, CAMP
CLASS:10
CHAPTER 6: MAHATMA GANDHI AND THE NATIONAL MOVEMENT
Mahatma Gandhi completely dominated the Indian National Movement from 1915 to
1948. That is why, this period is known as the Gandhian era in Indian history.
NON-COOPERATION MOVEMENT (1920)
It is a way of protesting in which one does not cooperate with the evil-doer’.
Causes that led to the Non-Cooperation Movement
1. Rowlatt Act/Black Act (1919)
It allowed the government to imprison anyone without trial and convict him in a court.
The Rowlatt Act implied:
1. Arrest of a person without a warrant.
2.In camera trial (trial in seclusion)
3.Restrictions on movements of individuals.
4. Suspension of the Right of Habeas Corpus.
2. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (13th
April,1919)
• People had gathered to protest against the
arrest of two leaders-Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlu
and Dr.Satya Pal.
• General Dyer ordered open firing on a
peaceful gathering at Amritsar.
• Hundreds killed, thousands injured.
• Shocked the nation and deepened resentment against British rule.
3. Khilafat Issue (1919–1920)
• After WWI, harsh terms imposed on Turkey by which the Caliph was deprived of
his authority.
• The Muslims felt that weakening the Caliph’s position would adversely affect the
position of the Muslims.
• In India, the Ali brothers launched the Khilafat Movement to protect the Caliph.
• Gandhi supported it to unite Hindus and Muslims in the freedom struggle.
Programmes of the Movement
• Boycott programmes
• Swadeshi programmes
Suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement
Date & Place: In February 1922, at Chauri Chaura in Gorakhpur district, Uttar
Pradesh.
Event:
• A peaceful protest by villagers (part of the Non-Cooperation Movement) turned
violent after police fired at demonstrators.
• In retaliation, the enraged crowd set fire to the police station.
• 22 policemen were killed.
Impact:
• Mahatma Gandhi was deeply disturbed by the violence.
• He believed it went against the principle of non-violence (ahimsa).
• As a result, Gandhi suspended the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Impact of the Non-Cooperation Movement
• The National Movement became a Mass movement as people from all sections of
the society participated in the Movement.
• It instilled confidence among the people to challenge the colonial rule.
• It transformed the Indian National Congress from a deliberative body to and
organisation of action.
• It fostered Hindu Muslim unity.
• It spread nationalism to every part of the country.
• It popularized the cult of swaraj.
FACTORS LEADING TO CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE MOVEMENT
1. Simon Commission
• The Simon Commission came to India in
1928 to investigate the need for further
constitutional reforms.
• The Committee consisted seven members
of the British Parliament.
• This was seen as violation of the principle
of self-determination and a deliberate
insult to the self-respect of Indians as NO INDIANS were part of it.
Reaction to the Commission
• All-India hartal was declared.
• The Committee was greeted with black flags and slogans of ‘Simon Go Back’
2. Declaration of Poorna Swaraj
• The Session under the Presidentship of Pandit Nehru, passed a resolution of
Poorna Swaraj to be the objective of the Congress.
• It decided to celebrate 26 January as Independence Day every year. It was
celebrated till 15th August, 1947.
• The Working Committee decide to prepare for Civil Disobedience.
Dandi March
➢ Date: Began on 12 March 1930.
➢ Route: Gandhi walked from
Sabarmati Ashram (Ahmedabad) to
Dandi (Gujarat).
➢ Event at Dandi (6 April 1930):
Gandhi broke the salt law by making
salt from seawater.
➢ Salt Tax: British monopoly over salt
production and taxation.
➢ Salt was a basic necessity, and the high tax burden affected especially the poor.
➢ Gandhi chose salt as a symbol to unite Indians against British rule.
➢ Breaking the salt law marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Programmes /Features of the Movement
➢ Defiance of salt laws
➢ Boycott of liquor, foreign cloth, British goods of all kinds
➢ Non-payment of taxes and revenues.
Gandhi-Irwin Pact
The pact was signed to start negotiations between Gandhiji and the British after the
failure of the First Round Table Conference.
Gandhiji and Lord Irwin signed the Gandhi-Irwin Pact in March 1931.
TERMS OF THE GANDHI-IRWIN PACT
The Government agreed to:
1.All political prisoners were to be released ,except those guilty of violence.
2.Restore the confiscated properties to the Satyagrahis.
3.Permit peaceful picketing of liquor and foreign cloth shops.
4. Permit the free collection and manufacture of salt by persons living near the
seacoast.
The Congress agreed to:
1.Suspend the Civil Disobedience Movement.
2. To participate in the second session of the Round Table Conference.
3. Not to press into investigation of police excesses.
SECOND ROUND TABLE
➢ Attended by Mahatma Gandhi as a sole representative of the Congress as per
the terms of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.
➢ There was a deadlock with attention being diverted to separate electorates for
Depressed Classes, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians and Europeans.
➢ Gandhiji was disappointed as there was no discussion on setting up of
responsible government or granting dominion status.
Impact of the Civil Disobedience Movement
1. It caused a tide of patriotic fervour in the country.
2. It widened the base of the freedom struggle.
3.It made the people understand the significance of the principles of non-violence.
4. The movement popularized ‘Prabhat Pheris’. Handwritten ‘patrikas’ or news –sheets
were issued. Women and children participated. Children organized themselves into
Vanara Sena. Girls had their own separate Manjari Sena or ‘Cat Army’.
5.The movement strengthened the position of the Depressed Classes.
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