Chapter in a nutshell: Under Mahatma Gandhi, the freedom struggle became a mass, non-violent movement based on Satyagraha & Ahimsa. Three great movements — Non-Cooperation (1920–22), Civil Disobedience (1930–34, the Dandi Salt March) and Quit India (1942, "Do or Die") — were triggered by events like the Rowlatt Act, Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the failure of British reforms, and led India towards independence in 1947.
1. Gandhi's Principles
- Satyagraha: non-violent insistence on truth/justice.
- Ahimsa: non-violence in thought, word and deed.
- Swadeshi & Khadi: self-reliance through Indian goods and hand-spun cloth.
- Aim: mass involvement of peasants, workers, women and students.
2. Background Events (1919)
- Rowlatt Act (1919): allowed imprisonment without trial ("no appeal, no vakil, no daleel") → outrage.
- Jallianwala Bagh massacre (13 April 1919, Amritsar): General Dyer ordered firing on a peaceful crowd, killing hundreds → turning point.
- Khilafat issue: Indian Muslims' anger over the treatment of the Turkish Caliph — joined with the national cause.
3. Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922)
- Causes: Rowlatt Act, Jallianwala Bagh, Khilafat.
- Programme: boycott British goods, schools, courts, councils and titles; surrender of honours; promote Swadeshi, khadi and national schools; non-violent non-cooperation.
- Suspension: after the Chauri Chaura incident (Feb 1922) — a mob burnt a police station killing 22 policemen — Gandhi, committed to non-violence, called off the movement.
4. Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–1934)
- Causes: rejection of demands; the all-British Simon Commission (1928, "Simon Go Back"); the Poorna Swaraj (Complete Independence) resolution at the Lahore Session (1929), with 26 January 1930 declared Independence Day.
- Dandi Salt March (1930): Gandhi walked ~240 miles to Dandi and broke the salt law by making salt — a symbol of defying unjust British laws.
- Programme: break salt/forest laws, refuse taxes, boycott foreign cloth/liquor.
- Gandhi–Irwin Pact (1931) paused it; the Round Table Conferences in London failed to satisfy Indian demands.
5. Quit India Movement (1942)
- Cause: failure of the Cripps Mission; demand for immediate British withdrawal during World War II.
- Gandhi gave the call "Do or Die"; the Quit India Resolution (Aug 1942) launched a mass uprising.
- The British arrested all top leaders; the movement was crushed but showed Indians were determined to be free.
6. Significance of the Gandhian Era
Turned the struggle into a mass movement; made non-violence a political weapon respected worldwide; united Indians across class and religion; and built unstoppable pressure that led to Independence (1947).7. Worked / Structured Examples (ICSE pattern)
Q1. What was the immediate background to the Non-Cooperation Movement? Solution: The Rowlatt Act, the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the Khilafat issue. Q2. Why did Gandhi suspend the Non-Cooperation Movement? Solution: Because of the violent Chauri Chaura incident (1922), against his principle of non-violence. Q3. What was the significance of the Dandi Salt March? Solution: It broke the unjust salt law non-violently and launched the Civil Disobedience Movement. Q4. What did "Poorna Swaraj" mean and when was it declared? Solution: Complete independence; declared at the Lahore Session (1929), Independence Day 26 Jan 1930. Q5. What was Gandhi's call during the Quit India Movement? Solution: "Do or Die".8. Key Terms — Quick Glossary
| Term | One-line definition |
|---|---|
| Satyagraha | non-violent insistence on truth/justice. |
| Ahimsa | non-violence. |
| Swadeshi/Khadi | Indian goods / hand-spun cloth. |
| Rowlatt Act | 1919 law allowing jail without trial. |
| Jallianwala Bagh | 1919 Amritsar massacre. |
| Non-Cooperation | 1920–22 boycott movement. |
| Civil Disobedience | 1930–34 law-breaking movement. |
| Dandi March | 1930 salt-law protest. |
| Poorna Swaraj | complete independence. |
| Quit India | 1942 "Do or Die" movement. |
9. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Mixing up the three movements and their years (Non-Cooperation 1920–22; Civil Disobedience 1930–34; Quit India 1942).
- Forgetting Chauri Chaura caused the suspension of Non-Cooperation.
- Saying the Dandi March broke the land law — it broke the salt law.
- Confusing Poorna Swaraj (1929) with the Simon Commission (1928).
- Thinking Quit India succeeded immediately — it was crushed but built decisive pressure.
10. Likely Exam Questions (with crisp answers)
- Name Gandhi's two core principles. → Satyagraha (truth-force) and Ahimsa (non-violence).
- What was the Rowlatt Act? → A 1919 law allowing imprisonment without trial.
- Describe the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. → Dyer's troops fired on a peaceful crowd in Amritsar (1919), killing hundreds.
- State two parts of the Non-Cooperation programme. → Boycott British schools/courts and surrender of titles (also Swadeshi).
- Why was Non-Cooperation called off? → The violence at Chauri Chaura (1922).
- What was the Simon Commission and the reaction? → An all-British body to review reforms; greeted with "Simon Go Back".
- When and where was Poorna Swaraj declared? → Lahore Session, 1929; Independence Day 26 Jan 1930.
- What law did Gandhi break at Dandi? → The salt law (by making salt).
- Name the 1931 pact that paused Civil Disobedience. → The Gandhi-Irwin Pact.
- What triggered the Quit India Movement? → The failure of the Cripps Mission (1942).
- What was Gandhi's slogan in 1942? → "Do or Die".
- Name the movement associated with khadi and spinning. → The Non-Cooperation/Swadeshi movement.
- Why did the Khilafat issue join the national movement? → It united Hindus and Muslims against the British.
- State the overall significance of the Gandhian era. → It made the freedom struggle a mass, non-violent movement leading to 1947.
- Where were talks held that failed to satisfy Indians? → The Round Table Conferences (London).
- Who led the Civil Disobedience Movement? → Mahatma Gandhi.
11. The Three Movements Compared
| Movement | Years | Trigger | Method | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Cooperation | 1920–22 | Rowlatt/Jallianwala/Khilafat | boycott, surrender titles | suspended after Chauri Chaura |
| Civil Disobedience | 1930–34 | Simon Commission, Poorna Swaraj | break salt/forest laws, no tax | Gandhi-Irwin Pact; faded |
| Quit India | 1942 | Cripps Mission failure | "Do or Die" mass uprising | crushed; leaders jailed |
12. Important Dates
- 1919: Rowlatt Act; Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
- 1920: Non-Cooperation launched.
- 1922: Chauri Chaura → suspension.
- 1929: Lahore Session — Poorna Swaraj.
- 1930: 26 Jan Independence Day; Dandi Salt March.
- 1931: Gandhi-Irwin Pact.
- 1942: Quit India Movement.
- 1947: Independence.
13. Other Key Points
- Khadi & charkha (spinning wheel): symbols of self-reliance and dignity of labour.
- Women's participation: Sarojini Naidu, Kasturba Gandhi and many others joined, especially in Civil Disobedience.
- Subhas Chandra Bose: later took the armed path (INA) — a different strand from Gandhi's non-violence.
14. More Worked / Structured Examples
Q6. Why did Gandhi choose salt for his protest? Solution: Salt was used by every Indian, so the unjust salt tax/monopoly was a powerful, relatable symbol. Q7. How did the Jallianwala Bagh massacre affect the movement? Solution: It shocked the nation and pushed Gandhi to launch Non-Cooperation. Q8. What was the Cripps Mission and its result? Solution: A 1942 British offer of limited reforms; rejected, leading to Quit India. Q9. Why is non-violence considered Gandhi's greatest contribution? Solution: It mobilised millions morally and won worldwide respect for India's struggle.15. More Exam Questions (with crisp answers)
- Who ordered firing at Jallianwala Bagh? → General Dyer.
- What does "Simon Go Back" refer to? → Protest against the all-British Simon Commission (1928).
- Name the pact between Gandhi and the Viceroy in 1931. → The Gandhi-Irwin Pact.
- Where did the Salt March end? → At Dandi (on the coast of Gujarat).
- What date was first observed as Independence Day? → 26 January 1930.
- Name two women leaders of the movement. → Sarojini Naidu and Kasturba Gandhi.
- Which incident showed Gandhi valued means over ends? → Calling off Non-Cooperation after Chauri Chaura.
- What was the charkha a symbol of? → Self-reliance (Swadeshi) and the dignity of labour.
- Name the leader who chose an armed path instead of non-violence. → Subhas Chandra Bose.
- Which world event was the backdrop to Quit India? → World War II.
- State one outcome of the Gandhian movements. → Mass national awakening that forced the British towards granting independence.
- What does Ahimsa require of a Satyagrahi? → To resist injustice without any violence, even when provoked.
- Name the act that allowed detention without trial. → The Rowlatt Act (1919).
- Which movement included the surrender of British titles? → The Non-Cooperation Movement.
- What is a Satyagrahi? → One who practises Satyagraha (non-violent truth-force).
- Why did the Khilafat and national movements merge? → To unite Hindus and Muslims against common British rule.
- Name the Gujarat coastal village of the salt protest. → Dandi.
- In which year did India gain independence? → 1947.
- Who was the main leader of all three movements? → Mahatma Gandhi.
- Name the spinning wheel that symbolised self-reliance. → The charkha.
- State the slogan of the Quit India Movement. → Do or Die.
- Which conferences in London failed to resolve Indian demands? → The Round Table Conferences.