Gandhian phase of Freedom Struggle
The era of Gandhi
Gandhi Ji returned to India on January 9, 1915 from South Africa. He had his own style of working whereby he never intervened in a situation without first studying it with great care.
He spent his first year in touring all over India and organising his Aashram at Sabarmati.
He did not believe in the methods of Home Rule leaders and further he commented, "He would join any organisation to affect its policy and not to be affected by it".
Champaran Issue (Champaran Movement)
Champaran Movement (1917) was the First Civil Disobedience Movement led by Gandhi Ji.
In Champaran, European Planters had involved the cultivators in agreement that forced them to cultivate indigo on three-twentith (3/20th) of their land holding. This system is known as Tinkathia System.
By the end of 19th century German synthetic dyes completely forced out indigo from the market. European planters were keen to release the cultivators from the obligation to grow indigo but they tried to turn their necessity into an opportunity by taking advance rent and illegal dues for the price of release.
On this issue a peasant leader Rajkumar Shukla persuaded Gandhi Ji. On reaching Champaran, Gandhi Ji disobeyed the order of commissioner to immediately leave the district. Further he started an investigation with the help from local leaders like Narhari Parikh, J.B. Kriplani, Brij Kishor, Mazhar-ul-haq, Mahadev Desai and Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
As a result the government also appointed a commission for enquiry which gave judgement that planters must refund 25% of the money they had illegally taken from the peasants.
Ahmedabad Mill Strike
Ahmedabad Satyagraha (1918) was the First Hunger Strike led by Gandhi Ji.
Issue at Ahmedabad was plague bonus which was given to the workers was withdrawn. Moreover, in the aftermath of WWI cost of living increased which forced workers to demand increase in wages and continuation of plague bonus.
Ahmedabad mill owners were not ready for it. Gandhi Ji convinced Ambala Sarabhai and other mill owners to be part of the tribunal which will decide the case but later they refused to accept the award.
In this situation, Gandhi Ji decided to observe Hunger Strike to keep the motivations of the workers high as such mill owners agreed to submit the issue to the tribunal which later ordered to increase the wages of the workers by 35%.
Anusuiya Bahan (Sarabhai) who was the sister of Ambala Sarabhai supported Gandhi Ji in this case.
Kheda Movement (1918)
Kheda movement was the First Non-Cooperation Movement led by Gandhi Ji.
At Kheda, the issue was crop failure due to which peasants demanded remission of land revenue.
Earlier, Servant Society of India justified the case of peasants. At this time Gandhi ji was member of Gujarat Sabha who played an important role in agitation.
He advised peasants to withhold the revenue and fight unto death against such a kind of evil system. He further commented that it is impossible to govern the men without their consent.
In Gujarat, Gandhi ji was supported by Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, Indulal Yagnik and Vithalbhai Patel.
When the situation was going out of proportion government issued a secret instruction whereby it suspended the collection of land revenue and quoted that those who afford to pay can pay the amount on their own.
Rowlatt Bill Satyagraha and Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
Rowlatt Act (1919) - It was named after the person who chaired the committee of the bill. The timing of these bills were not suitable when Indians were expecting substantial constitutional concession after the end of the WWI.
In February 1919, it was introduced which was aimed at severely curtailing the civil liberties of the people in the name of curbing terrorist violence.
At this moment, Gandhi ji stepped in and suggested Satyagraha. Young home rule leaders also joined it. The form of protest was nation wide 'Hartal' accompanied by fasting and prayers.
It was decided that April 06 would be the start date of Satyagraha but due to some confusion regarding the date, public resorted to violence particularly in Delhi, Lahore and Amritsar. As such the governement declared martial law in the affected area.
On April 10, two local leaders of Amritsar, Satpal and Saifuddin Kitchlew were arrested by the Britishers which led to attack on townhall, post office, telegraph, etc.
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre - On 13th April 1919, (Baisakhi Day) large number of people gathered to attend a public meeting in Jallianwala Bagh.
General-o-Dyre incensed that his orders were flaunted and he ordered his troops to fire upon the unarmed crowd for the next 10 minutes without warning.
Government estimate was 379 death but more than that died. The brutality stunned the nation. Rabindra Nath Tagore renounced his Knighthood title in protest. Gandhi ji renounced his Kaiser-i-hind title in protest and overwhelmed by the total atmosphere of violence, he withdrew the movement on 18th April 1919.
Khilafat Aandolan (Khilafat Movement)
Khilafat Movement (1919-1924)
Muslims were enraged by the treatment melted out to Turkey by the British after WWI. The Muslims in India as well as all over the world regarded the sultan of Turkey as their spiritual leader, Khalifa.
During WWI, Turkey allied with Germany and Austria against the British. After the end of war, Khalifa was removed from the power.
Muslims from India demanded that Khalifa's control over Muslim sacred placed should by restored and Khalifa must be left up with sufficient territory after territorial rearrangement.
In early 1919, Khilafat Committee was created by Ali Brothers (Shaukat Ali, Mohd. Ali), Maulana Azad, Azmal Khan and Hasrat Mohani.
Development of Khilafat Non-Cooperation program
In November 1919, All India Khilafat conference was held in Delhi. Gandhi Ji presided this assembly. He thought that this platform can be used for uniting people of India against the government on following issues which are as follows -
- Muslims were incensed that their loyalty were purchased during the war by assurance of generous treatment to Turkey after the War.
- People wanted rectification of Punjab round.
- House of lord, Britain voted in favour of General Dyre's action and Morning Post raised 30,000 Pounds for the action of General Dyre.
- People felt doomed by the scheme of Government of India Act 1919, which is nothing but just an extension of Divide and Rule policy of British.
Non-Cooperation Movement (1920)
Calcutta Special Session (1920) -
- President - Lala Lajpat Rai
- It meets on the question of Non-Cooperation movement but it was decided to discuss this matter in annual sessions of INC.
Nagpur Session of INC (1920) -
It was presided by Vijay Raghavachariar.
Proposals -
- Non-Cooperation related proposals were presented by CR Das which included boycott proposal of government institutions, foreign articles and titles.
- Focus on constructive works like Khadi, Hindu-Muslim unity, removal of untouchability and improving the conditions of women.
- Creation of Congress Working Committee (CWC) to look after day to day administration of Congress on the suggestion of Gandhi ji.
- Creation of All India Congress Committee to co-ordinate with the regional/provincial branches of INC.
- It was also proposed to fix the Congress membership fee at 25 Paisa (earlier it was approx. ₹100).
- Use of Vernacular language in provinces and to develop Hindi as contact language till extent possible.
Development during Non-Cooperation Movement (NCM)
- Boycott of educational institutions, foreign articles and judiciary was very successful.
- Rajendra Prasad, C. Rajagopalachari and others leaders left the profession of law.
- During the movement there was foundation of Kashi Vidyapeeth, Gujarat Vidyapeeth, Bihar Vidyapeeth and Jamil Millia Islamia.
- During the course of NCM, Tilak Swaraj Fund was created and within a short period of time ₹1 crore was collected.
- Madan Mohan Malviya tried to consolidate between government and INC. In this series the dialogue between Gandhi ji and Viceroy Reading happened which failed.
- Travel of Prince of Wales to India was opposed which led to violence. Gandhi ji observed fast to control violence.
- On 01 February 1922, Gandhi ji challenged that if all the prisoners are not released within a week then he will start Civil Disobedience from Bardauli.
- Chauri Chaura Incident - On 05 February 1922, Some policeman attacked the crowd at Chauri-Chaura in Gorakhpur district of UP. In retaliation masses attacked on Police station and set it ablaze. As such it was violent activity on the part of masses, Gandhi ji decided to withdraw NCM with Bardoli Resolution of February 12.
- Gandhi ji was arrested and imprisoned for 6 years for spreading disaffection against the government.
Gandhi's Struggle-truce-Struggle
Gandhi ji believed that masses cannot sacrifice endlessly so after every phase of mass struggle a period of truce was to be followed till the masses were again prepared for another mass movement.
The period of truce was to be utilised for the constructive program like Hindu-Muslim unity, emancipation of women and abolition of untouchability.
Khilafat question also lost its relevance. In November 1922, the people of Turkey rose under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Pasha and deprived the Sultan of his political power and Turkey was made a secular state.
Phase of Pro-Changers and No-Changers (Swarajists)
After the end of Non-Cooperation Movement, two type of ideological streams emerged within the Congress regarding the course of National struggle.
Some leaders of the Congress advocated to follow the provisions of Government of India Act 1919 and participate in legislature. They came to be known as Pro-Changers. They suggested that nationalist should end the boycott of legislative council and enter into the council and obstruct every work of the council. They further maintained that they are not giving up the Non-Cooperation but wanted to enter into the council.
The idea was proposed during Gaya Session of INC (1922) presided by CR Das.
Another section if the INC including Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, Rajendra Prasad and C. Rajagopalachari wanted to stick to Non-Cooperation program advised by Gandhi ji and they opposed council entry. They came to be known as No-Changers.
On 01 January 1923, Congress-Khilafat Swaraj Party was created with CR Das as its president and Moti Lal Nehru as its secretary (as the proposal at Gaya Session was not sanctioned).
Despite the differences both the factions realised that however important council work may be it cannot replace mass movement. They also fully accepted the essentiality of Gandhi ji's leadership.
In a Special Session at Delhi (September 1923), Congress suspended all propaganda against council entry (President of this Session - Maulana Abul Kalam Azad)
On 05 Feb 1924, Gandhi ji was released from jail on health ground. He was completely opposed to council entry but later he became accommodative. He did not want to embarrass them since already the decision has been taken. Moreover, he was also convinced that pro-changers (Swarajists) were not the limb of imperialistic force.
Achievement of Swarajists
- In November 1923, elections to the legislative council were held. Swarajist won 42 out of 101 seats in Central legislative assembly. They also got clear majority in the Central Province, Largest party in Bengal and faired well in Bombay and United Province.
- While hindering the council work, they delivered powerful speeches on three fronts -
- Constitutional advance leading to self-government.
- Civil liberties
- Development of Indigenous industry
- In 1925, they were successful in electing Vithal Bhai Patel as the first Indian Speaker of Central Legislative Council.
Simon Commission (1928)
In 1924, British government appointed a committee under the chairmanship of Sir Alexander Muddiman (Muddiman Committee) which suggested the formation of Indian Statutory Commission to look into the Indian affairs.
As such, Indian Statutory Commission (Simon Commission) under Sir Simon was constituted to review the provisions of Government of India Act 1919. It was an all White commission to recommend whether India was ready for further constitutional progress and on what lines.
Indians response
Indian response was immediate unanimous. They decided to oppose it from root and branch. They were highly disaffected that even the most liberal Indians was not accommodated on a body which was going to decide the future of India.
The Simon boycott was endorsed by Liberal Federation of Tez Bahadur Sapru, Hindu Mahasabha, etc. Though Muslim League was split on the issue of boucott but Muhammad Ali Jinnah supported boycott with majority of Muslim League leaders. INC turned boycott into a popular movement.
It began from Bombay in February 1928. The method of agitation was complete hartal, mass rallies, processions and black flag demonstration with slogan. "Simon go back".
In Lucknow, Govind Vallabh Pant and Jawahar Lal Nehru were severely beaten but the worst incident happened in Lahore where Lala Lajpat Rai was hit on chest on October 30. Later, he scrummed to the injuries on November 17, 1928.
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