Mahatma Gandhi's Life and Indian Independence

Life and Philosophy

• Born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat, India
• Led a simple life, advocated for non-violence, and promoted self-sufficiency
• Influenced by Henry David Thoreau's concept of civil disobedience

Role in Indian Independence Movement

• Led the Indian Independence Movement against British rule
• Fought for India's independence through non-violent resistance
• Organized various movements and protests, including:
  • Salt March (1930): Protested against the British salt tax
  • Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922): Boycotted British goods and institutions
  • Quit India Movement (1942): Demanded immediate independence from British rule

Strategies and Tactics

• Used non-violent civil disobedience, including:
  • Hunger strikes
  • Non-cooperation
  • Satyagraha (holding fast to truth)
• Emphasized the importance of:
  • Swaraj (self-rule)
  • Swadeshi (indigenous goods and industries)
  • Ahimsa (non-violence)

Key Events and Contributions

• Led the Indian National Congress (1920-1924)
• Played a key role in the Round Table Conferences (1930-1932)
• Inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world
• Assassinated on January 30, 1948, by Nathuram Godse

Life and Philosophy

• Born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat, India
• Advocated for simple living, non-violence, and self-sufficiency
• Inspired by Henry David Thoreau's concept of civil disobedience

Indian Independence Movement

• Led the movement against British rule, using non-violent resistance
• Demanded independence through various movements and protests, including:
  • Salt March (1930) against British salt tax
  • Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922) boycotting British goods and institutions
  • Quit India Movement (1942) demanding immediate independence

Strategies and Tactics

• Employed non-violent civil disobedience, including:
  • Hunger strikes to protest against British rule
  • Non-cooperation with British authorities
  • Satyagraha (holding fast to truth) as a means of resistance
• Emphasized:
  • Swaraj (self-rule) for India's independence
  • Swadeshi (indigenous goods and industries) to promote Indian economy
  • Ahimsa (non-violence) as a core principle

Key Events and Contributions

• Led the Indian National Congress (1920-1924) as a prominent leader
• Played a key role in the Round Table Conferences (1930-1932) for Indian independence
• Inspired global movements for civil rights and freedom
• Assassinated on January 30, 1948, by Nathuram Godse

Civil Disobedience

Definition

• Civil disobedience is the deliberate and non-violent refusal to obey laws or commands that are considered unjust or immoral.

Key Principles

• Non-violent resistance is a fundamental principle of civil disobedience, meaning it does not involve physical harm or aggression towards others.
• Individuals have a moral obligation to disobey unjust laws and to challenge unjust authority.
• Mass participation and collective action are essential for the effectiveness of civil disobedience.

Examples of Civil Disobedience

• The Salt March (1930) was a 24-day protest march led by Gandhiji from Ahmedabad to Dandi against the British salt tax, which hurt Indian salt producers and consumers.
• The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922) involved boycotting British goods, law courts, and government institutions to protest the Rowlatt Act, which gave the British government emergency powers to suppress dissent.
• The Quit India Movement (1942) was a movement launched by Gandhiji to demand immediate independence from British rule, involving civil disobedience, strikes, and protests.

Impact of Civil Disobedience

• Civil disobedience movements led by Gandhiji challenged the British government's authority and legitimacy in India.
• Gandhiji's philosophy of civil disobedience inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world, including the American Civil Rights Movement led by Martin Luther King Jr.
• Civil disobedience played a significant role in India's struggle for independence, ultimately leading to the country's freedom from British rule in 1947.