Mahatma Gandhi 1915-1948
Champaran Satyagraha
Mahatma Gandhi 1915-1948: Gandhi cameback to India in 1915. He received guidance from Gopala Krishna Gokhale regarding the actual circumstances in the nation. Gandhi’s initial significant movement against the British was the Champaran Satyagraha in Bihar. He advocated for the rights of Indigo farmers and campaigned for fair prices for their agricultural products. Ultimately, he achieved concessions for the farmers.
In late 1918, he arranged a demonstration against high taxes in the famine and flood-affected region of Kheda district at Nadiad. Here, Sardar Vallabhai Patel collaborated with Gandhi as amember of the volunteer group. (To access the initialsection of this article, click here: Mahatma Gandhi 1869-1915)
ROWLATT Act
In 1919, the British enacted the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act, also known as the Black Act. This legislation enables the British to detain a person without a trial or court examination. The enactment of this law stirred significant anger among Indians. Gandhi urged for Civil Disobedience and Satyagraha, encouraging his supporters to demonstrate nonviolently. On 30 March 1919, shots were fired in Delhi. The government prohibited Gandhi from entering Delhi. Gandhi ignored the commands and as a consequence he was apprehended on April 9th. On April 10th, a demonstration was held in Amritsar opposing the deportation of Satyapal and Saifuddin Kichlu.
Jallianwala Bagh massacre
On the Vaishakhi day of 13 April 1919, people gathered at a place called Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar for civil disobedience, but they carried no arms. It included women and children because it was Vaishakhi day. Afterward, Indian Sepoys under the command of a British man shot and murdered around 1000 people, including infants. Instead of opposing the brutality of the British, Gandhi promoted a peaceful approach to the events. For he understands that no one can defeat the British with weapons.
Following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Gandhi broadened his nonviolent non-cooperation movement to encompass the swadeshi policy and urged people to reject foreign products, particularly British items. He promoted that all Indians should spin and wear khadi (handmade cotton fabric) instead of using factory-produced textiles. Gandhi called on individuals to reject British institutions and judicial systems, to leave government jobs, and to give up British titles and honors. Gandhi aimed to weaken the British economically, politically, and administratively by employing the strategy of non-cooperation.
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Non-cooperation movement
The appeal of “Non-cooperation” grew, and its popularity drew participation from all strata of Indian society.
Chauri Chaura incident
Another significant event that ultimately changed India’s fight for independence was Chauri Chaura. On 2 February 1922, individuals gathered here to demonstrate against increasing meat prices in an act of civil disobedience. Authorities implemented disciplinary actions and detained the leaders of the protest. In response, on the 5th, around 2000 people marched to the police station. Police shot at the demonstrators, resulting in two fatalities. As a result, people became furious and set fire to the police station with 22 officers trapped inside leading to their death.
Gandhi was detained on 10 March 1922, prosecuted for sedition, and received a six-year prison sentence. The sentence began on 18 March 1922.
With Gandhi confined in prison, the Indian National Congress divided into two groups, one under Chitta Ranjan Das and Motilal Nehru advocating for party involvement in the legislatures, while the other led by Chakravarti Rajagopalachari and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel opposed this initiative.
Swaraj
Gandhi was freed in February 1924 for an appendectomy, after completing a year-long prison sentence. Following that, there was a pause of three years in the fight for freedom. In 1926, Congress once again summoned Gandhiji and requested him to spearhead the freedom movement, assuring him they would adhere to his principles of nonviolence. Then in 1928, Congress led by Bose and Nehru advocated for Poorna Swaraj (Complete freedom)
However, Gandhi preferred not to confront at this point and suggested that we first request Swaraj (Dominion status) from the British. Should they fail to meet our demand within a year, we will strive for total freedom. Thus, the Calcutta Congress in December 1928 decided to campaign for Swaraj (Independence within British rule).
Since the British did not act, on 31 December 1929, the fight for Poorna Swaraj (complete independence) was proclaimed as the Congress’s only objective or sole goal, and a newly adopted Tricolor flag was raised in Lahore. It was announced that Independence Day would be commemorated annually on 26 January 1930. Since that time, Indians have commemorated India’s Independence Day. Following the adoption of the Indian Constitution by Indians on 26.01.1950, India was proclaimed a Republic. Consequently, from January 26 onwards, India has been observed as Republic Day of India.
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Salt Satyagraha and Dandi march
It was previously noted that Gandhi withdrew from the independence movement when it turned violent in 1922. Afterward, Congress leaders came to an agreement with Gandhi and pledged to follow his principles of nonviolence. The commitment and determination of the Indian people to drive out the British were clear from the event of confronting British violence through peaceful methods during the famous Salt March to Dandi from 12 March to 6 April, 1931.
Gandhi and 78 volunteers walked 388 kilometres (241 miles) from Ahmedabad to Dandi in Gujarat to make salt, opposing the salt laws. Authorities indiscriminately struck the volunteers on their heads and shoulders with lathis for hours, resulting in over 300 protesters suffering serious injuries and two fatalities. At no point did the volunteer demonstrators provide any physical opposition or resistance. And on this occassion more than 60,000 persons were detained nationwide. It is noteworthy that Jawaharlal Nehru and Sarojini Devi took part in the Dandi march.
The British Government of India agreed to free all political prisoners through the Gandhi–Irwin Pact, which was signed in March 1931. Gandhi paused the civil disobedience movement. Gandhi took part as the sole Congress delegate in the Round Table Conference that took place in London. A conflict persisted between the British and the Congress until 1934. In 1935, the Government of India Act was implemented to enable provincial elections, with the goal of establishing a partial democracy in India. Consequently, elections were held in 1937. Congress managed to establish administrations in the majority of provinces.
Nevertheless, the British Government of India entered World War II in 1939 without seeking the advice of the Legislators. Subsequently, lawmakers from Congress stepped down. During this time, the Muslim League adopted a resolution in 1940 to split the country into two, notoriously known as the two-nation theory.
Quit India Movement
Congress insisted on an immediate transfer of power to the Indian people. Britain pledged Dominion status following the War. On 8th August 1942, Gandhi presented the slogan “Quit India.” The government acted swiftly to suppress the agitators and detained all Congress leaders, including Gandhi, within one day. Nonetheless, the unrest persisted with extensive acts of sabotage, bomb assaults on military supply convoys took place, governmental structures were set ablaze, power lines were severed, and transport as well as communication networks were undermined. The struggle continued among the people until the conclusion of 1943. Gandhi was freed from prison in May 1944.
In this time, his secretary Mahadev Desai passed away from a heart attack, his wife Kasturba died after 18 months of imprisonment on 22 February 1944, and Gandhi experienced a serious malaria attack.
Let’sexamine the police actions directed at Gandhi ji during the struggle for independence.
On 16 April 1917, Gandhi was issued a notice to vacate the Champaran district; however, he was not taken into custody.
10 April 1919 – Detained at Palwal while traveling to Amritsar and returned to Bombay, where he was freed on 11 April.
10 March, 1922 – Detained close to Sabarmati Ashram for penning three pieces in Young India. Received a six-year prison sentence. Freed from Yervada jail on 5 February 1924 following a procedure on 12 January 1924.
05 May, 1930 – detained at Karadi close to Dandi for breaching the Salt Law, was incarcerated without trial and freed on 26 January, 1931.
04 January, 1932 – Captured in Bombay and sent to Yervada Jail. And was released on 8 May, 1933 as he began fasting as part of Satyagraha.
01 August, 1933 – Detained in the early morning in Bombay after his march to Rass and instructed to exit Yervada by 9:30 a.m. However, he refused to comply, resulting in a one-year prison sentence. He began his Satyagraha on 16th August and was discharged on 23 August because of a critical health issue.
09 August, 1942 Detained early in the morning after the ‘Quit India’ resolution and confined in Agakhan Palace Jail. He was released on 6 May, 1944.
Partition of India
Gandhi wasagainst the division of the Indian subcontinent basedonreligion.
The Muslim League calledon the British to “Divide and Leave India.”
The Direct Action Day on 16.08.1946 was proclaimed by Jinnah to impose Partition on India. It incited a widespreadkilling of Hindus in Calcutta. The police were onvacation and were unable to manage or prevent the conflict. The British government also did not command its military to advance against Muslim rioters.
Gandhi and Nehru hesitantly accepted the Partition of India. Approximately 5,00,000 persons lost their lives in the partition violence. Around 10 Lakh perople were relocated to either Pakistan or India. The majority of the unrest took place solely in the provinces of Bengal and Punjab. Gandhi undertook a fast lasting several days to mourn the ongoing deaths of individuals. He urged for tranquility and for the return of harmony. On January 30, 1948, a killer shot Gandhi ji and took his life.
Legacy of Gandhi and Nehru
What sets Gandhi and Nehru apart from others and the reason people admired them, even revered them, is that they remained steadfast under extremely difficult circumstances. They adhered to their beliefs. They lived upto their conviction. They were unafraid of dying. Gandhi spent over 7.5 years in prison, while Nehru was incarcerated for 9.5 years. Nehru advanced the legacy of Gandhi.
Nehru fulfilled Gandhi’s vision of Grama swaraj by constructing dams and barrages along river courses to irrigate farmland. Nehru worked tirelessly to ensure India achieved self-sufficiency in heavy industry and defense. Nehru established IITs, IIMs, ISRO, BARC, and more.
Martyr’s Day
Approximately 3,50,000 Indians gave their lives during the struggle for independence. Gandhi was fired at by a political adversary and as a consequence Gandhi died of Bullet wounds. The Indian Republic commemorates Gandhi’s ultimate sacrifice as Martyr’s Day.
Anarchist
But philosophically Gandhi wanted abolition of the State altogether. He believed that Society and hence the country should be run under trusteeship. A kind of Laisez faire.