Mahatma Gandhi: Life & Movements

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Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi: Early Life Full Name: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi Born: October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat, into a Gujarati Hindu Modh Bania family. Father: Karamchand Gandhi (Dewan by profession) Mother: Putlibai Gandhi Education Early schooling in Rajkot. Moved to a high school in Rajkot. In 1888, joined Samaldas College in Bhavnagar. Unsatisfied with education, went to London to study Law. Joined Inner Temple Law College in London. Gandhi in South Africa (1893-1914) 1893: Aged 23, set sail for South Africa to be a lawyer for Abdullah's cousin. Experienced severe racial discrimination (e.g., thrown off a train at Pietermaritzburg for refusing to leave first-class). 1900: Volunteered in the Boer War. Spent 21 years in South Africa. Natal Indian Congress (NIC) Founded by Gandhi Ji in 1894 in South Africa. Campaigned against discrimination against Indians. August 22, 1894: Drafted a constitution; NIC later allied with the African National Congress (ANC). Indian Opinion - The Newspaper Founded and published by Mohandas Gandhi ("Mahatma"), M.H. Nazar, and Madanjit Viyavaharik in 1903 in Natal Province. Weekly newspaper focused on Indian rights, indentured laborer conditions, and racial discrimination. Published articles in English, Hindi, Gujarati, and Tamil. Gandhi's Return to India & Early Satyagrahas (1917-1918) Returned to India in 1915. Launched three major Satyagrahas between 1917-1918: Champaran Satyagraha (1917) Kheda Satyagraha (1918) Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918) Ideological Tools & Methods Satyagraha: Moral power and pursuit of truth over physical violence. Ahimsa (Non-violence): Encompassed physical, thought, and word non-violence; true change through peaceful means. Sarvodaya: "Universal uplift" or "welfare of all"; society where everyone thrives regardless of caste, religion, or economic status. Swadeshi: Promoted self-reliance and use of locally made goods. Champaran Satyagraha (1917) Context: In Champaran district, Bihar, landless serfs and poor farmers were forced to grow indigo and other cash crops instead of food crops. European planters forced peasants to grow indigo on $3/20$ of total land area ( Tinkathia system ). Gandhi's Role: Matter first discussed in Lucknow session of INC (1916). Peasant Rajkummar Shukla discussed the issue with Gandhi. Gandhiji investigated, disobeyed orders, and went to district court. Bihar government appointed Champaran Agrarian Committee, with Gandhi as a member. Committee recommended abolishing the Tinkathia system and a $25\%$ refund. Recommendations included in Champaran Agrarian Act of 1917. Peasants' Perception of Gandhi: Recognized importance of addressing farmers' concerns during independence struggle. Advocated against oppressive British measures (exorbitant taxes, harsh collection). Viewed as a protector, possessing extraordinary abilities, with tales of misfortunes befalling those who spoke ill of him. Kheda Satyagraha (11 March 1918) Context: Crops in Gujarat's Kheda district failed due to drought in 1918. Government insisted on taxes, threatening property seizure if not paid. Gandhi's Role: Requested farmers not to pay taxes. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and others (Narahari Parikh, Mohanlal Pandya, Ravi Shankar Vyas) organized villagers and provided leadership. Ahmedabad Mill Strike (15 March 1918) Context: Anusuya Sarabhai (social worker, sister of mill owner Ambalal Sarabhai) sought Gandhi's help for mill workers. Gandhi's Role: Called on workers to strike, demanding a $35\%$ wage increase (rather than $50\%$). Strike was called off; tribunal awarded workers a $35\%$ wage increase. Khilafat Movement (1919-1922 AD) Origin: Ali Brothers (Mohammad Ali and Shaukat Ali) launched an anti-British movement in 1919. Purpose: Restoration of the Khilafat (Caliphate) after Turkey's defeat in WWI; Muslims felt it was an insult, as the Caliph was seen as the religious leader worldwide. Support: Supported by Mahatma Gandhi and INC. Leadership: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad also led the movement. Integration: Mahatma Gandhi merged this movement into the Non-Cooperation Movement. Celebration: 'Khilafat Day' was celebrated on October 17, 1919. Reasons against British Rule: British attitude against Turkey upset Indian Muslims. Aimed to change British government's attitude towards Turkey and restore the Khalifa. Leaders included Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, M.A. Ansari, Saifuddin Kitchlew, and the Ali brothers. Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922) Start: Started in 1920. Nature: First mass political movement under Gandhiji. Approval: Approved by the Nagpur session of the Indian National Congress in 1920. Goal: Attainment of 'Swaraj' (self-rule) by peaceful means. Withdrawal: Called off by Gandhiji due to the Chauri Chaura incident in 1922. Gandhi's Role in Non-Cooperation Movement Initiation & Direction: Mahatma Gandhi played a pivotal role; chief architect of the movement. First Mass Movement: His first mass movement in India. Protest: Conceived as a protest against British injustices (Rowlatt Act, Jallianwala Bagh massacre). Foundation: Non-violence (ahimsa) was the core principle. Mobilization: Mobilized millions from diverse backgrounds (Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, peasants, workers, urban dwellers). Strategies: Boycott of government institutions, foreign goods; resignation from government jobs; refusal to attend government functions. Withdrawal of Non-Cooperation Movement Cause: Chauri Chaura incident, Gorakhpur district (Uttar Pradesh). Event: On February 4, 1922, protesters clashed with police who opened fire. Outcome: Incident turned violent, leading Mahatma Gandhi to call off the movement. Date of Withdrawal: February 12, 1922. Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934) Start: March 12, 1930 – April 6, 1930. Launch: Launched by Mahatma Gandhi. Purpose: Protest against the Simon Commission; form of non-cooperation to pressure British government to accept Indian demands. Beginning: Famous Dandi March on March 12, 1930. Dandi March: Gandhi left Sabarmati Ashram with 78 delegates. Symbolism: Making salt was a symbol of refusal to live under British-made laws. Dandi March / Salt March / Salt Satyagraha Dates: March 12 to April 6, 1930. Route: Gandhi and 78 followers marched 241 miles from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi (coastal town in Gujarat). Action: Marchers broke the Salt Act by making salt from seawater. Nature: Direct-action campaign against the British salt monopoly. Repression: British arrested over 60,000 people. Gandhi was arrested on May 5, but the Satyagraha continued. Salt Laws in Indian Freedom Struggle Monopoly: Salt law led to British monopoly on salt production and distribution, increasing prices and adding tax. Denial of Access: People were denied access to natural salt; tons of natural salt were destroyed. Impact on Local Industry: Attacked local salt industry in villages. Significance: Extremely unpopular, became a crucial issue in the struggle. General Response Towards Civil Disobedience Indian Response: Mass Participation: Widespread involvement from peasants, workers, students, women, merchants. Enthusiasm & Patriotism: High fervor, active participation in protests, boycotts. Women's Participation: Significant role, participating in protests, picketing, facing imprisonment. Regional Variations: Strong in Gujarat, Bengal, North-West Frontier Province. Muslim Participation: Less widespread compared to Non-Cooperation Movement. British Response: Repression & Arrests: Government responded with repression, arresting thousands, including Gandhi. Ordinances & Restrictions: Imposed ordinances to curb movement, banning gatherings, censoring press. Negotiations & Concessions: Faced with resistance, government agreed to negotiate with Gandhi and INC. Importance of 'Charkha' (Spinning Wheel) as a Symbol of Nationalism Handwork: Represented handwork, not idealizing machinery. Dignity of Labor: Gave value to physical work; individuals labored with their own hands. Affordability & Self-Sufficiency: Minimal investment, affordable for everyone, boosted small-scale industries, revived handicrafts. Social Impact: Honored manual work, encouraged self-reliance, challenged caste system. Economic Resistance: Means to exclude British imported clothing. Recruitment: Spinning Khadi was a significant part of Gandhi's constructive efforts, especially for recruiting women. Overall: Charkha emerged as an emblem of Indian nationalism. Quit India Movement (August 1942) Other Names: India August Movement, August Kranti. Launch: Officially launched by the Indian National Congress (INC) led by Mahatma Gandhi on August 9, 1942. Slogans: 'Quit India' or 'Bharat Choro'. Gandhi's Call: 'Do or die' / 'Karenge ya Marenge'. Nature: Peaceful non-violent movement aimed at urging British to grant India independence. Resolution: Passed by the Congress Working Committee on August 8, 1942, in Bombay. General Response Towards Quit India Movement Indian Response: Mass Participation & Intensity: Spontaneous and widespread, even without key leaders. "Do or Die" Spirit: Gandhi's call inspired courage and determination. Rural Participation: Significant involvement from rural areas; disruption of communication, attacks on government buildings, parallel governments. Divisions & Concerns: Muslim League opposed it; some groups had reservations about timing. British Response: Brutal Repression: Swift and brutal repression; force to quell protests, arrests, strict censorship. Use of Force & Violence: Police and military used excessive force (lathi charges, firing, aerial bombings). Propaganda & Censorship: Discredited movement, controlled information flow. Maintaining Control: Maintained control due to superior military power and administration. How Mahatma Gandhi Identified with Common People Lived a simple lifestyle, wore simple clothes. Spoke local languages. Opposed caste system, attacked untouchability, lived with Harijans. Attached dignity to labor and physical work; worked on Charkha, cleaned toilets. Attacked the sentiment of classifying people into low and high.