Gandhi's Political Career in South Africa

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Questions and Answers

What was the primary goal of Gandhi's non-cooperation movement launched on 4 September 1920?

To promote the dismemberment of Turkey

To establish a new political party in India

To persuade the British government to grant self-governance (correct)

To support the British government in its efforts

Which act did Gandhi officially oppose with the use of Satyagraha in South Africa starting in 1907?

Khilafat Movement

Immigrants Regulation Act of 1913

Indian Relief Bill

Asiatic Registration Law (the Black Act) (correct)

What was the outcome of the march on 6 November 1913 that Gandhi participated in?

It resulted in a violent confrontation with authorities

The Indian Relief Bill was scrapped (correct)

The march successfully led to self-governance for Indians

Gandhi was not arrested during the march

On which date did Gandhi first get arrested for his opposition to British laws in South Africa?

28 December 1907 Signup and view all the answers

What other significant social issue did Gandhi address during the non-cooperation movement in addition to self-governance?

Elimination of untouchability Signup and view all the answers

What incident occurred to Gandhi during his journey from Charlestown to Johannesburg?

He was made to sit outside with the coachman. Signup and view all the answers

What was Gandhi's primary role upon his arrival in South Africa in 1893?

Legal counsel to a merchant Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the significant themes of Gandhi's first public speech?

Truthfulness in business Signup and view all the answers

Which legislation was the first discriminatory law directed at Indians in the Transvaal?

Law 3 of 1885 Signup and view all the answers

What was the annual poll tax that Indians had to pay in the Transvaal?

£3 Signup and view all the answers

How many books on religion did Gandhi read during his stay in Pretoria?

80 Signup and view all the answers

In what year did the Immigration Law Amendment Bill come into law?

1895 Signup and view all the answers

What was notable about the position of Indians in the Transvaal compared to Natal?

It was worse than in Natal. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the Secretary of State for Colonies to whom Gandhi sent a petition?

Lord Ripon Signup and view all the answers

What significant event took place on 25 June 1894 at the residence of Sheth Abdulla?

Opposition to the Franchise Bill was resolved Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Natal Indian Congress established in 1894?

To protect the rights of Indians in South Africa Signup and view all the answers

What did Gandhi's 'Green Pamphlet' represent?

A pamphlet outlining Indian grievances Signup and view all the answers

Which war broke out in 1899 during Gandhi's time in South Africa?

Second Anglo-Boer War Signup and view all the answers

What community did Gandhi establish after being inspired by 'Unto This Last'?

Phoenix Settlement Signup and view all the answers

What vow did Gandhi take in 1906 that influenced his focus on Satyagraha?

The vow of brahmacharya Signup and view all the answers

Which concepts from the Bhagavad Gita influenced Gandhi's philosophy?

Aparigraha and Samabhava Signup and view all the answers

What was the significant outcome of the Congress session held in Lahore in 1929?

Adoption of the Historic Independence Resolution Signup and view all the answers

Which event marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement led by Gandhiji?

Manufacturing salt at Dandi Signup and view all the answers

Who was the president of the Nagpur Session in 1920 that endorsed the non-cooperation movement?

Vijayaraghavachariar Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the Special Session of the Indian National Congress held in Calcutta in 1920?

To condemn the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms Signup and view all the answers

What significant action did Gandhiji take on March 12, 1930?

Led a march from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi Signup and view all the answers

What was the term coined by Gandhi that means 'Universal Uplift'?

Sarvodaya Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the demands made by Gandhiji in his letter to Lord Irwin dated March 2, 1930?

End of the salt tax Signup and view all the answers

Which movement did Gandhi revive in January 1932?

Civil Disobedience Movement Signup and view all the answers

What was the distance covered by Gandhiji's march to Dandi?

241 miles Signup and view all the answers

What agreement was signed as a result of negotiations between Gandhiji and the British government in March 1931?

The Gandhi-Irwin Pact Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Gram Swaraj' refer to in Gandhi's philosophy?

Village self-governance Signup and view all the answers

Which book authored by Gandhi is recognized as his autobiography?

The Story of My Experiments with Truth Signup and view all the answers

What does the charkha symbolize in Gandhi's ideology?

Economic independence Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following books examines Gandhi's life before he returned to India?

Gandhi Before India Signup and view all the answers

Who translated Gandhi's autobiography into English?

Mahadev Desai Signup and view all the answers

What was the central motive of the Civil Disobedience Movement overshadowed by the Poona Pact?

Political autonomy Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Gandhi's Early Political Career in South Africa

Gandhi arrived in Durban, Natal (now KwaZulu-Natal) in 1893 to serve as legal counsel to merchant Dada Abdulla.
He faced racial discrimination during travel, being forced to sit outside with the coachman on stagecoaches due to his Indian ethnicity.
Indians in Transvaal were subjected to a £3 poll tax, worse treatment than in Natal.
In Pretoria, Gandhi read around 80 books on religion and attended Bible classes, influencing his thoughts on truthfulness in business.
The first discriminatory legislation against Indians was Law 3 of 1885, while Natal received self-government in 1893.
The Immigration Law Amendment Bill (1895) required Indians to return to India after five years or pay a tax, reflecting systemic discrimination.
Gandhi became active in politics, opposing the Franchise Bill in 1894, initiating the Natal Indian Congress for Indian rights.
Published grievances known as the Green Pamphlet, which faced distortions upon arrival in Durban.
During the Second Anglo-Boer War (1899), Gandhi organized an Indian Ambulance Corps to assist the British despite supporting the Boer cause.
Gandhi founded the British Indian Association in 1903 to resist proposed evictions of Indians.
Influenced by the Bhagavad Gita, he embraced concepts of non-possession (aparigraha) and equability (samabhava).
The book "Unto This Last" led him to establish the Phoenix Settlement near Durban in 1904.
In 1906, he adopted the vow of brahmacharya, enhancing his focus on Satyagraha principles.
The first use of Satyagraha occurred in 1907 against the Asiatic Registration Law, leading to significant arrests of Indians.

Civil Disobedience in India

The Non-Cooperation Movement launched on September 4, 1920, aimed at ending British colonial rule and achieving self-governance through Indian unity.
It sought to address issues like the Khilafat Movement and untouchability.
The 1921 revolt by Moplahs highlighted the challenges faced by the movement.
Gandhi's letter to Lord Irwin on March 2, 1930, signaled the start of the Salt Satyagraha campaign against British salt laws.
The historic Dandi March began on March 12, 1930, covering 241 miles and culminating in acts of salt-making on April 6.
Multiple arrests of Gandhi and other Congress leaders marked his steadfast opposition, culminating in the Gandhi-Irwin Pact on March 5, 1931.

Ideas and Philosophies

Sarvodaya, meaning "Universal Uplift," reflects Gandhi's vision for holistic progress, first articulated in "Unto This Last."
Swadeshi emphasized self-reliance, symbolized by the charkha (spinning wheel), crucial to Gandhi's constructive program.
Gram Swaraj represented Gandhi's vision for self-sufficient rural communities.

Influential Works by Gandhi

"The Story of My Experiments with Truth": Gandhi's autobiography detailing his life and philosophies.
"Gandhi: An Autobiography": Translated by Mahadev Desai, this work captures Gandhi's life journey.
"Gandhi Before India": Covers the formative years of Gandhi leading up to his return to India.
"Gandhi: The Years That Changed the World": Focuses on Gandhi's pivotal role in India's struggle for independence.
"Great Soul: Mahatma Gandhi and His Struggle with India": A nuanced examination of Gandhi's challenges in India.
"Gandhi's Passion": An analysis of Gandhi's influential legacy.
"The Life of Mahatma Gandhi": A classic biography foundational to the film adaptation.
"Mahatma Gandhi: The Man Who Became One with the Universal Being": Written by Romain Rolland, capturing Gandhi's essence through a foreign lens.

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Explore the pivotal moments of Gandhi's early political career in South Africa, including his employment with an Indian business firm in the Transvaal. This quiz will delve into his experiences in Durban and the impact of his work on his future political endeavors.