Indian Independence Movement: Non-Cooperation Movement

Study Notes

In ancient times, India was known as "Sone Ki Chidiya" or the Golden Bird, but for over 500 years, it was under the rule of the Mughals and then the British.
The long struggle for independence started after the World War I, when Indians were forced to support the British war effort.
The Indian National Congress party entered the war without a clear direction, and the Indian economy suffered due to various taxes and customs duties imposed by the British.
The period from 1918 to 1919 saw widespread crop failures and a deadly influenza epidemic, exacerbating the food shortage in India.
Gandhi, a revered leader, arrived in India in 1915 and was inspired by the nonviolent protests of the indentured laborers in South Africa.
His first satyagraha was conducted in Champaran, Bihar, in 1917, where peasants were protesting against an oppressive plantation system.
In 1918, Gandhi led a satyagraha in Kheda, Gujarat, where farmers were protesting against high taxes and the devastating effects of the influenza epidemic.
In 1919, the Rowlatt Act, which allowed for the detention of suspects without trial and indefinite imprisonment without trial, was passed. This led to widespread protests, known as the Non-Cooperation Movement.
On April 13, 1919, a peaceful protest at the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar exerciseturned violent when British soldiers opened fire on unarmed civilians, killing hundreds, including women and children.
In the aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, India saw increased violence and chaos, with both the police and public engaging in violent protests.
Gandhi declared an end to the Non-Cooperation Movement due to the loss of control and the violent turn of events.
The Rowlatt Act was eventually repealed in 1922, but the effects of the struggle for independence continued, leading to more protests and eventually, India's independence in 1947.- Gandhi was limited in his participation in the Indian National Congress due to his age and was disappointed, especially about the issue of shooting at unarmed civilians during the Indian Rowlatt Act protests of 1919.
Gandhi was asked by General Dyer why he had made the people of India fight the British if he believed in non-violence. He replied that he considered the British as a king among tyrants, and the Indian people as slaves seeking freedom, with Muslims and Hindus joining together in this fight.
Gandhi was inspired by the Non-Cooperation Movement led by the ModERN Turkie, which was initially supported by the Ottoman Empire's automobile tycoon and his leader, the Sultan Abdul Hamid II. However, the situation changed when the Ottoman Empire was weakened by the World War I and the British army took control.
The Non-Cooperation Movement aimed to boycott British institutions and services, including education, courts, and British goods. The Indian National Congress leaders were divided on the issue, with some like Maulana Azad and Motilal Nehru supporting it, while others like Chittaranjan Das and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel opposing it.
The Non-Cooperation Movement gained momentum and spread across the country. The Indian National Congress leaders, including Gandhi, held a session in Nagpur in December 1920 to discuss the movement's future. The decision to launch civil disobedience was made, and the movement gained widespread support.
Gandhi's decision to start the Non-Cooperation Movement was based on his belief that it was a necessary step to bring about Indian independence from British rule. He had written a book in 1909 titled "Hind Swaraj," in which he argued that India was being ruled by the British as a slave nation, and that the only way to achieve freedom was to refuse to cooperate with them.
The movement was met with resistance from the British authorities, who arrested many prominent leaders, including Gandhi himself, in 1922. The movement also faced opposition from some Indian leaders, who believed that it was too radical and would lead to chaos.
The Non-Cooperation Movement marked the beginning of Gandhi's leadership of the Indian independence movement, which continued until his assassination in 1948. The movement helped to galvanize the Indian people and inspired others around the world to fight for their freedom.
The Non-Cooperation Movement was significant in that it was the first mass movement led by Indians against British rule. It also marked the beginning of Gandhi's use of civil disobedience as a tool for achieving political change.
The Non-Cooperation Movement was a turning point in Indian history, as it helped to bring about the end of British rule in India and paved the way for Indian independence. It also marked the beginning of Gandhi's political career, which made him a key figure in Indian history.

Description

Test your knowledge of the Non-Cooperation Movement, a significant chapter in the Indian independence movement led by Mahatma Gandhi against British rule. Explore key events, leaders, and the impact of this pivotal movement.