Mahatma Gandhi and the Nationalist Movement (1915–1947)

Introduction

The nationalist movement in India underwent a major transformation with the arrival of Mahatma Gandhi in 1915. Gandhi introduced new methods of mass struggle based on truth (Satya), non-violence (Ahimsa), and civil disobedience, which mobilised millions of Indians across caste, class, and gender. His leadership changed the nature of Indian nationalism from an elite movement to a mass movement.

Arrival of Mahatma Gandhi in India (1915)

Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in January 1915.
He had already gained experience in political struggle through Satyagraha movements in South Africa.
He travelled across India to understand the problems of common people.

Early Satyagrahas

Champaran Satyagraha (1917)
- Related to the exploitation of indigo farmers by British planters.
- Gandhi supported peasants against the Tinkathia system.
- Result: Abolition of oppressive indigo cultivation system.
Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918)
- Concerned with wage disputes between mill workers and owners.
- Gandhi used fasting as a moral pressure.
- Workers achieved a wage increase.
Kheda Satyagraha (1918)
- Peasants demanded remission of land revenue due to crop failure.
- Government eventually suspended revenue collection.

Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919)

Rowlatt Act (1919) allowed detention without trial.
Gandhi called for a nationwide protest.
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (13 April 1919) in Amritsar:
- British officer General Dyer ordered firing on peaceful protesters.
- Hundreds were killed.
- Shocked the entire nation and strengthened anti-British sentiment.

Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922)

Causes

Jallianwala Bagh massacre
Rowlatt Act
Khilafat issue

Programmes

Boycott of British institutions, courts, schools, and colleges
Promotion of Khadi and Swadeshi
Surrender of titles and honours

Participation

Students, teachers, lawyers, peasants, and workers participated.
Women played an active role.

Withdrawal

Withdrawn after the Chauri Chaura incident (1922) where protesters killed policemen.
Gandhi believed violence contradicted non-violence.

Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–1934)

Salt Satyagraha (Dandi March)

Gandhi led a 240-mile march from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi.
Protest against the British monopoly on salt.

Spread of the Movement

Violation of salt laws
Boycott of foreign goods
No payment of taxes

Government Response

Mass arrests including Gandhi and other leaders

Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931)

Civil Disobedience Movement temporarily suspended
Gandhi attended the Second Round Table Conference

Quit India Movement (1942)

Background

Failure of Cripps Mission
Impact of World War II

Call for Action

Gandhi gave the slogan “Do or Die”.
Immediate demand for British withdrawal from India.

Nature of the Movement

Mass uprising across India
Participation of students, workers, peasants, and women
Harsh repression by British government

Role of Mahatma Gandhi in the National Movement

Introduced Satyagraha as a powerful tool
United masses across regions and communities
Promoted social reforms like removal of untouchability
Emphasised communal harmony and self-reliance

Impact of Gandhian Nationalism

Transformed Indian nationalism into a mass movement
Strengthened Indian unity
Weakened British authority
Prepared the ground for independence

Limitations of the Gandhian Movement

Limited participation of some sections (industrial workers, Muslims at times)
Suspension of movements disappointed many revolutionaries
Communal tensions continued

Conclusion

Mahatma Gandhi played a decisive role in shaping the Indian nationalist movement. His leadership, ideology, and mass mobilisation ultimately led India towards independence in 1947. Gandhian nationalism remains a significant chapter in India’s freedom struggle.

Very Short Answer Questions (1–2 Marks) with Answers

When did Mahatma Gandhi return to India?
Mahatma Gandhi returned to India in January 1915.
What is meant by Ahimsa?
Ahimsa means non-violence in thought, word, and action.
Name the system opposed in the Champaran movement.
The Tinkathia system.
Which incident led to the withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement?
The Chauri Chaura incident (1922).
Which movement is associated with the slogan “Do or Die”?
Quit India Movement (1942).

Short Answer Questions

Explain the importance of the Champaran Satyagraha.
The Champaran Satyagraha (1917) was Gandhi’s first major experiment with Satyagraha in India. It highlighted the exploitation of indigo cultivators by British planters and resulted in the abolition of the Tinkathia system. It established Gandhi as a national leader.
Why did Gandhi support the Khilafat Movement?
Gandhi supported the Khilafat Movement to unite Hindus and Muslims against British rule. He believed that Hindu-Muslim unity was essential for the success of the national movement.
Describe the main features of the Non-Cooperation Movement.
The movement included boycott of government institutions, foreign goods, courts, and schools. Promotion of khadi and swadeshi, surrender of titles, and peaceful protests were its key features.
What was the significance of the Salt Satyagraha?
The Salt Satyagraha broke the British monopoly on salt and symbolised resistance against unjust laws. It encouraged mass participation, including women, peasants, and workers.

Long Answer Questions

Examine the role of Mahatma Gandhi in transforming Indian nationalism into a mass movement.
Mahatma Gandhi transformed Indian nationalism by involving peasants, workers, women, and students. Through Satyagraha, non-violence, and civil disobedience, he made the freedom struggle a moral and mass-based movement. His leadership during the Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, and Quit India movements weakened British authority and united Indians.
Discuss the causes and significance of the Quit India Movement.
The Quit India Movement was launched in 1942 due to British refusal to grant independence and the failure of the Cripps Mission. Despite severe repression, it demonstrated mass determination for freedom and convinced the British that they could no longer rule India without Indian cooperation.

Case-Based / Source-Based Question with Answers

Source:
Gandhi believed that freedom could not be achieved through violence. He emphasised discipline, sacrifice, and non-violent resistance.

(a) Which method of struggle is referred to here?
Answer: Satyagraha.

(b) Mention two principles of this method.
Answer: Truth and non-violence.

(c) How did this method help the national movement?
Answer: It mobilised masses peacefully and morally challenged British rule.

Multiple Choice Questions

Mahatma Gandhi gained political experience before 1915 in:
(a) England
(b) South Africa ✅
(c) America
(d) India
The Ahmedabad Mill Strike was related to:
(a) Indigo peasants
(b) Land revenue
(c) Wage dispute of workers ✅
(d) Salt tax
The Rowlatt Act allowed the British government to:
(a) Increase taxes
(b) Arrest without trial ✅
(c) Introduce elections
(d) Grant freedom
Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place in:
(a) Lahore
(b) Delhi
(c) Amritsar ✅
(d) Kanpur
The Non-Cooperation Movement was launched in:
(a) 1919
(b) 1920 ✅
(c) 1922
(d) 1930
Which movement began with the Dandi March?
(a) Quit India Movement
(b) Non-Cooperation Movement
(c) Civil Disobedience Movement ✅
(d) Khilafat Movement
The Gandhi–Irwin Pact was signed in:
(a) 1927
(b) 1929
(c) 1930
(d) 1931 ✅
Which conference did Gandhi attend after the Gandhi–Irwin Pact?
(a) First Round Table Conference
(b) Second Round Table Conference ✅
(c) Third Round Table Conference
(d) Simla Conference
The Quit India Movement was launched during:
(a) First World War
(b) Second World War ✅
(c) Civil War
(d) Cold War
Which of the following was NOT a principle of Gandhian ideology?
(a) Truth
(b) Non-violence
(c) Swadeshi
(d) Armed struggle ✅

Gandhi returned: 1915
First movement: Champaran (1917)
Non-Cooperation: 1920–22
Civil Disobedience: 1930–34
Quit India: 1942
Core ideas: Satya, Ahimsa, Satyagraha

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Wednesday, December 17, 2025