Gandhiji, Satyagraha and the early satyagrahas in India
When there is injustice at home we can calmly put forward our side with the truth instead of quarrelling. Gandhiji used this same method in a struggle of millions.
Satyagraha means insistence on truth. Its aim is to make an unjust person see truth and justice through patience, without violence or untruth. The years 1920 to 1947 are the ‘Gandhian era’ of the Indian movement.
Key idea 1 : Experience in South Africa — In 1893 Gandhiji went to South Africa for legal work. Indians there were treated in a humiliating way. In 1906 when the government made carrying an identity card compulsory, Gandhiji used the path of satyagraha.
Key idea 2 : Arrival in India — On 9 January 1915 Gandhiji returned to India. On the advice of Gopal Krishna Gokhale he travelled across the whole country. Seeing the poverty of the people he took a vow of service to the nation and began to live at the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad.
Key idea 3 : Champaran, Kheda and Ahmedabad — In Champaran in Bihar farmers were forced to grow indigo; in 1917 Gandhiji organised them — the first satyagraha in India. In 1918 in Kheda in Gujarat the revenue was collected even though there was famine, so the farmers began a no-tax movement and the government suspended the tax. The mill workers of Ahmedabad, on Gandhiji’s advice, demanded a wage rise and got it.
- Easy : When did Gandhiji return to India? — On 9 January 1915.
- Medium : Where was the first satyagraha in India held? — In Champaran, Bihar (1917).
- Exam-type : What was the Kheda satyagraha for? — To get the revenue waived or suspended during famine (1918).
In the figure: From South Africa to Champaran, Kheda and Ahmedabad, the method of satyagraha developed.
What happened before? In 1916 Rajkumar Shukla, a farmer of Champaran, approached Gandhiji at the Congress session in Lucknow and described the plight of the farmers in his area. He kept following it up. In April 1917 Gandhiji reached Champaran; the administration ordered him to leave the district, but he did not obey and was ready to face a trial.
What happened next? The government appointed an inquiry committee and Gandhiji became a member. Then in 1918 the Champaran Agrarian Act came and the compulsory indigo-growing arrangement was eased. In the same year Gandhiji took up the Kheda satyagraha.
Satyagraha = insistence on truth; first satyagraha Champaran 1917, then Kheda 1918.
It is wrong to think satyagraha means doing nothing or retreating out of fear. It is a calm but firm struggle against injustice.
Memory clue: Remember ‘Ch-Ke-A’ = Champaran, Kheda, Ahmedabad — 1917, 1918, 1918.
Spot the difference
| Satyagraha | For whom | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Champaran 1917 | Indigo farmers | Compulsion eased |
| Kheda 1918 | Famine-hit farmers | Tax suspended |
| Ahmedabad 1918 | Mill workers | Wage rise |
Practice questions
- 1What is satyagraha?
- 2When did Gandhiji return to India?
- 3In which ashram did Gandhiji live?
- 4What compulsion did the farmers of Champaran face?
- 5State the reason for the Kheda satyagraha.
- 6What effect did Gokhale’s advice have on Gandhiji’s work?
- 7Who approached Gandhiji before he went to Champaran, and for what?
- 8What happened after the Champaran satyagraha?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Insistence on truth; making an unjust person see truth and justice without violence or untruth.
- 2On 9 January 1915.
- 3At the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad.
- 4Compulsion to grow indigo.
- 5The government kept collecting revenue despite the famine.
- 6He toured the country, saw the poverty of the people and took a vow of service.
- 7The farmer Rajkumar Shukla; to describe the plight of the farmers of Champaran.
- 8An inquiry committee was appointed and in 1918 the Champaran Agrarian Act came.
Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh
If everyone feels a rule in school is unfair, all of them oppose it together. The whole country felt the same about the Rowlatt Act.
The Rowlatt Act (1919) gave the government power to arrest anyone without a warrant and to imprison people without trial. Gandhiji called for a nationwide hartal against it, and on 13 April 1919 the massacre took place at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar.
Key idea 1 : The Rowlatt Act — In the First World War Indians had helped the British, so they hoped for a share in decisions after the war. Instead, rising prices and taxes increased discontent. To suppress it a committee under Sir Sydney Rowlatt was appointed and on its recommendations the Act was passed in March 1919 despite the opposition of Indian members. Indians called it the ‘Black Act’.
Key idea 2 : The hartal and Amritsar — On 6 April 1919, at Gandhiji’s call, a hartal was observed across the country. The agitation became intense in Punjab; Amritsar became the main centre. General Dyer banned public meetings and Dr Satyapal and Dr Kitchlew were arrested. Gandhiji was prohibited from entering Punjab.
Key idea 3 : The Jallianwala Bagh massacre — On 13 April 1919, the day of Baisakhi, unarmed people gathered in Jallianwala Bagh. The garden was walled on nearly all sides and had one small exit. Dyer ordered his soldiers to fire without any warning; hundreds were killed and many were wounded. Martial law was imposed in Punjab. The Governor of Punjab, Michael O’Dwyer, is also held responsible.
- Easy : What did Indians call the Rowlatt Act? — The ‘Black Act’.
- Medium : Who ordered the firing at Jallianwala Bagh? — General Dyer.
- Exam-type : What did Rabindranath Tagore do in protest? — He gave back the title ‘Sir’ given by the British.
In the figure: Hartal against the law, then repression in Amritsar, then the massacre and an inquiry — one event after another.
What happened before? When the Rowlatt Act was passed, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, a member from Bombay, resigned from the Imperial Legislative Council in protest. Around 9–10 April 1919 Dr Satyapal and Dr Kitchlew were arrested in Amritsar and people were angry. A few days later came the Baisakhi festival and thousands gathered in the garden.
What happened next? On 30 May 1919 Rabindranath Tagore wrote to the Viceroy and gave back his knighthood. The government appointed the Hunter Committee to inquire. Gandhiji, seeing the violence, had already called off his satyagraha in April 1919.
Rowlatt = March 1919, hartal 6 April, Jallianwala 13 April, Tagore = knighthood returned.
It is wrong to think people came to Jallianwala Bagh to fight. They were unarmed and had gathered for a meeting on Baisakhi day.
Memory clue: Remember ‘6-13-30’ = 6 April hartal, 13 April firing, 30 May Tagore’s protest.
Spot the difference
| Point | Rowlatt Act | Jallianwala Bagh |
|---|---|---|
| Year | March 1919 | 13 April 1919 |
| Nature | Arrest without warrant | Firing on unarmed people |
| Responsible | British government | General Dyer |
| Result | Hartal across India | Hunter Committee, Tagore’s protest |
Practice questions
- 1What powers did the Rowlatt Act give the government?
- 2On which day did Gandhiji call for the nationwide hartal?
- 3Where and when did the Jallianwala Bagh massacre take place?
- 4Who gave the order to fire?
- 5Which committee was appointed to inquire into the massacre?
- 6Why did discontent against the Rowlatt Act grow?
- 7Which event in Amritsar angered the people before the massacre?
- 8What did Tagore do after the massacre and what step did the government take?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Arrest without warrant and imprisonment without trial; no appeal against the punishment.
- 2On 6 April 1919.
- 3In Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, on 13 April 1919.
- 4General Dyer.
- 5The Hunter Committee.
- 6Because of rising prices, taxes and fear of arrest without trial; the opposition of Indian members was ignored.
- 7The arrest of Dr Satyapal and Dr Kitchlew.
- 8Tagore gave back the title ‘Sir’; the government appointed the Hunter Committee.
Khilafat, Non-co-operation, Chauri Chaura and Mulshi
If we want to teach a shopkeeper a lesson, we stop buying from him. His business runs on our buying. The same idea was behind non-co-operation.
The Non-co-operation Movement was a non-violent nationwide movement (1920–22) of refusing to co-operate with the British government. The idea behind it was that British rule rests on the co-operation of Indians.
Key idea 1 : The Khilafat Movement — Muslims across the world regarded the ruler of Turkey as their religious head. Turkey fought against the British in the First World War; to win the support of Indian Muslims the British promised not to harm the Khalifa’s empire, but did not keep the promise. So Indian Muslims began the Khilafat Movement. For Hindu–Muslim unity Gandhiji supported it.
Key idea 2 : Programme of Non-co-operation — At the 1920 Nagpur session the non-co-operation resolution moved by Chittaranjan Das was accepted and leadership passed to Gandhiji. Programme: boycott of government offices, courts, schools and colleges, foreign goods and elections. Motilal Nehru and Das gave up their practice; national schools and colleges were started; foreign clothes were burned. In 1921 a hartal was observed during the visit of the Prince of Wales.
Key idea 3 : Chauri Chaura, Mulshi and constructive work — In February 1922 at Chauri Chaura in Uttar Pradesh the police fired on a peaceful procession; an angry mob set the police station on fire and many policemen died. Hurt by this, Gandhiji suspended the movement on 12 February 1922. In Mulshi taluka of Pune, Senapati Pandurang Mahadev Bapat led a farmers’ satyagraha; he was sentenced to six years. Later Gandhiji took up constructive work such as khadi, swadeshi, prohibition, removal of untouchability and national education.
- Easy : At which session was the non-co-operation resolution passed? — The Nagpur session of 1920.
- Medium : After which event was the movement suspended? — Chauri Chaura (12 February 1922).
- Exam-type : Who led the Mulshi satyagraha? — Senapati Bapat.
In the figure: Offices, schools, foreign goods and elections — a plan to stop co-operating in all four places.
What happened before? On 1 August 1920 Gandhiji returned to the government the Kaisar-i-Hind medal he had received for his services during war time. On that very day Lokmanya Tilak passed away. Then at the Nagpur session in December 1920 the Congress adopted the programme of non-co-operation.
What happened next? After Chauri Chaura Gandhiji fasted for five days as a penance for himself. In March 1922 he was arrested over articles in ‘Young India’ and a special court in Ahmedabad sentenced him to six years. Because of ill health he was released in February 1924.
Non-co-operation = 1920–22; Nagpur 1920; Chauri Chaura 1922; four boycotts.
It is wrong to think non-co-operation meant violent struggle. Gandhiji stopped the movement precisely because violence occurred at Chauri Chaura.
Memory clue: Remember ‘20-21-22’ = Nagpur, Prince of Wales hartal, Chauri Chaura.
Spot the difference
| Movement | Cause | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Khilafat | The issue of the Khalifa’s empire | Muslim agitation |
| Non-co-operation | Government’s injustices | Four boycotts |
| Mulshi | Farmers’ land | Satyagraha |
Practice questions
- 1Why did the Khilafat Movement begin?
- 2What was the idea behind the Non-co-operation Movement?
- 3Who moved the non-co-operation resolution?
- 4State any three boycotts of the Non-co-operation Movement.
- 5When and why did Gandhiji suspend the movement?
- 6Who led the Mulshi satyagraha and what punishment did he get?
- 7Which honour did Gandhiji return to the government before the Nagpur session?
- 8What happened to Gandhiji after the movement stopped, and which work did he take up?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1After the war the British did not keep their promise not to harm the Khalifa’s empire.
- 2British rule rests on the co-operation of Indians; if co-operation stops it will collapse.
- 3Chittaranjan Das.
- 4Government offices, courts, schools and colleges, foreign goods, elections — any three.
- 5On 12 February 1922; because violence occurred at Chauri Chaura.
- 6Senapati Pandurang Mahadev Bapat; six years of imprisonment.
- 7The Kaisar-i-Hind medal.
- 8He was arrested in March 1922 and sentenced to six years, later released due to ill health; he took up constructive work such as khadi, prohibition and removal of untouchability.
Swaraj Party, Simon Commission, Nehru Report and the Lahore session
If a task is decided without us we object. There was not a single Indian in the Simon Commission, so the whole country opposed it.
After non-co-operation stopped, the Swaraj Party was formed to fight from inside the legislatures. Through the Simon Commission, the Nehru Report and the 1929 Lahore session the Congress adopted the goal of complete independence.
Key idea 1 : The Swaraj Party (1922) — Chittaranjan Das and Motilal Nehru put forward the idea of contesting elections and obstructing the government’s work. The Swaraj Party was founded in 1922. In 1923 many of its members were elected to the Central and provincial legislatures; among them were Lala Lajpat Rai, Madan Mohan Malaviya and N. C. Kelkar.
Key idea 2 : The Simon Commission (1928) — The reforms of 1919 were unsatisfactory. So the British appointed a commission under Sir John Simon, but it had no Indian member. The Congress boycotted it. When it arrived in 1928, slogans of ‘Simon Go Back’ were raised everywhere. In Lahore, a demonstration led by Lala Lajpat Rai was lathi-charged and he died within a few days.
Key idea 3 : Nehru Report and the Lahore session — The Secretary of State Birkenhead criticised that Indian leaders could not draft a constitution acceptable to all. Accepting the challenge, an all-party committee was formed under Motilal Nehru; its report is the ‘Nehru Report’ (1928). At the Lahore session of December 1929 (president Jawaharlal Nehru) the Congress gave up dominion status for the goal of complete independence, hoisted the tricolour and decided to observe 26 January as Independence Day.
- Easy : Who founded the Swaraj Party and when? — Chittaranjan Das and Motilal Nehru, 1922.
- Medium : Why did the Congress boycott the Simon Commission? — It had no Indian member.
- Exam-type : Which goal was adopted at the Lahore session? — Complete independence.
In the figure: The journey from the fight inside the legislatures, through opposition to Simon, to the resolution of complete independence.
What happened before? When the Simon Commission reached Bombay in 1928, a young leader, Yusuf Meherally, is recorded as giving the slogan ‘Simon Go Back’. It spread across the country. On 30 October 1928 the demonstration in Lahore was lathi-charged and Lala Lajpat Rai was injured; he died on 17 November 1928.
What happened next? The Lahore session met on the banks of the Ravi in December 1929. Before that, at the 1928 Calcutta session the Congress had given the government one year to accept the Nehru Report, failing which a movement would begin. When the deadline ended, the resolution of complete independence was passed, and on 26 January 1930 the independence pledge was taken across the country. After that Gandhiji began preparing for the Civil Disobedience Movement.
1922 Swaraj Party; 1928 Simon and Nehru Report; 1929 Lahore; 1930 pledge day.
The Nehru Report was of the committee headed by Motilal Nehru; Jawaharlal Nehru presided over the Lahore session. Do not mix up the two.
Memory clue: Remember ‘22-28-29-30’ = Party, Simon, Lahore, pledge.
Spot the difference
| Event | Year | Main point |
|---|---|---|
| Swaraj Party | 1922 | Fight from the legislatures |
| Simon Commission | 1928 | No Indian member |
| Nehru Report | 1928 | All-party constitution draft |
| Lahore session | 1929 | Resolution of complete independence |
Swaraj Party, Simon Commission, Nehru Report and the Lahore session
In the app you can move this figure with your finger.
Open in the appPractice questions
- 1Who were the founders of the Swaraj Party?
- 2Why did Indians oppose the Simon Commission?
- 3How did Lala Lajpat Rai die?
- 4Who was the chairman of the Nehru Report committee?
- 5Who presided over the Lahore session?
- 6Which goal did the Congress give up at Lahore and which did it adopt?
- 7What criticism led to the preparation of the Nehru Report?
- 8After the Lahore resolution what happened on 26 January 1930 and which movement followed?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Chittaranjan Das and Motilal Nehru.
- 2Because it had no Indian member.
- 3He was injured in the lathi charge on an anti-Simon demonstration and died within a few days (1928).
- 4Motilal Nehru.
- 5Jawaharlal Nehru.
- 6It gave up dominion status and adopted complete independence.
- 7Birkenhead said Indian leaders could not draft a constitution acceptable to all.
- 8The independence pledge was taken across the country; the Civil Disobedience Movement followed.