The Idea of Satyagraha & Early Movements
Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in January $1915$. He championed Satyagraha, emphasizing the power of truth and the need to search for truth without resorting to physical violence.
Early Champaran, Kheda & Ahmedabad Satyagrahas:
- Champaran (Bihar, 1917): Supported peasants struggling against oppressive indigo plantation system (Tinkathia system).
- Kheda (Gujarat, 1917): Demanded relaxation of land revenue collection due to crop failure and plague epidemic.
- Ahmedabad (Gujarat, 1918): Organised movement supporting cotton mill workers demanding a $35\%$ wage hike.
Rowlatt Act (1919) & Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
- Rowlatt Act (Black Act): Passed hurriedly by Imperial Legislative Council, gave government enormous powers to repress political activities and detain political prisoners without trial for two years.
- Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (13 April 1919): General Dyer blocked the only narrow exit of Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar where peaceful crowds had gathered for Baisakhi fair and fired indiscriminately, killing hundreds.
Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922)
In his famous book Hind Swaraj (1909), Mahatma Gandhi declared that British rule was established in India with the cooperation of Indians. If Indians refused to cooperate, British rule would collapse within a year.
- Surrender of government titles, boycott of civil services, army, police, courts, legislative councils, and foreign goods.
- Chauri Chaura Incident (February 1922): A violent clash at Chauri Chaura (Gorakhpur, UP) where 22 policemen were burnt inside a police station led Gandhi to immediately withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Salt March & Civil Disobedience Movement (1930)
On 12 March 1930, Mahatma Gandhi launched the historic Dandi March from Sabarmati Ashram to coastal town of Dandi with 78 trusted volunteers.
- Covered 240 miles in 24 days.
- On 6 April 1930, he broke the British Salt Law by boiling sea water to manufacture salt, launching the nationwide Civil Disobedience Movement.
