Nationalism in India: Gandhi, Satyagraha & Rowlatt Act

Nationalism in India emerged as a consequence of colonialism, impacting people's understanding of unity and shared identity
The First World War created a new economic and political situation in India, leading to increased defense expenditure and price rise
Customs duties were raised and income tax was introduced to finance the war
Villagers were forced to supply soldiers, and there was widespread crop failure, leading to immense hardship
The idea of Satyagraha emphasized the power of truth and the need to search for it
Mahatma Gandhi successfully used Satyagraha in various local movements like Champaran, Kheda and Ahmedabad
The Rowlatt Act allowed the British government to repress political activities and detain political prisoners without trial
Gandhi launched a nationwide Satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act on April 6, 1919
The Jallianwalla Bagh massacre in Amritsar on April 13, 1919, became a turning point in India's struggle for independence
Khilafat movement was launched by Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Ali to defend the Ottoman Empire
Mahatma Gandhi saw the Khilafat movement as an opportunity to unite Hindus and Muslims
Non-Cooperation Movement was adopted by the Congress at the Nagpur session in December 1920
The Non-Cooperation Movement involved the surrender of titles, boycott of civil services, army, police, schools, and foreign goods
In February 1922, Mahatma Gandhi decided to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement due to incidents of violence
Some Congress leaders advocated for participating in elections to the provincial councils set up by the Government of India Act of 1919
Swaraj Party was formed by C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru to argue for a return to council politics
The economic depression of the 1930s affected agriculture and trade, causing distress among farmers
The Simon Commission was appointed to review the functioning of the constitutional system in India and suggest reforms
The Simon Commission was boycotted because it had no Indian member
The demand for 'Purna Swaraj' or complete independence became prominent during this time
The Lahore Congress session of December 1929 formalized the demand for Purna Swaraj
It was declared that January 26, 1930, would be celebrated as Independence Day
Mahatma Gandhi started the Salt Satyagraha by marching from Sabarmati to Dandi
The Salt March aimed to defy the salt law, which was a symbol of British oppression
Thousands participated in the Salt Satyagraha, defying the law and boycotting foreign cloth and liquor
The government responded to the Salt Satyagraha by arresting leaders and suppressing the movement
Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed in 1931, leading to Gandhi's participation in the Second Round Table Conference
The Second Round Table Conference was unsuccessful, and Gandhiji returned disappointed
The government resumed repression, arresting Nehru and Gandhi, and banning Congress
The limitations of the Salt Satyagraha included limited participation from Dalits
Mahatma Gandhi called the untouchables 'Harijans' and worked for their upliftment
The Poona Pact of 1932 gave reserved seats to the Depressed Classes in provincial and central legislative councils
Muslim political organizations were initially lukewarm in their response to the Civil Disobedience Movement
The Muslim League and the Congress made efforts to negotiate an alliance in 1927
M.R. Jayakar of the Hindu Mahasabha opposed compromises that would favor Muslims
The sense of collective belonging came partly through the experience of united struggles
Cultural processes, like images and symbols, also helped in creating a sense of nationalism
The identity of India was often associated with the image of Bharat Mata
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote 'Vande Mataram,' which became a symbol of nationalism
Abanindranath Tagore painted his famous image of Bharat Mata
Folklore, songs, popular prints, and myths played a role in spreading nationalism
During the Non-Cooperation Movement, nationalist leaders promoted the idea of linking villages and reviving folk culture
History was reinterpreted to instill a sense of pride in the nation
Nationalist writers urged readers to take pride in India's achievements in the past
The rediscovery of India's past glory helped to change perceptions and foster nationalism