Modern India — Making of Gandhi
1. Life in South Africa
Context: Gandhi's transformative years in South Africa shaped his philosophy of Satyagraha and non-violent resistance.
- 1893: Gandhi went to South Africa for a legal case involving client Dada Abdullah.
- Established the Natal Indian Congress and started the newspaper Indian Opinion.
- First Satyagraha: Against a law requiring Indians to carry registration certificates with fingerprints.
- Tolstoy Farm (1910): Named after Russian writer Tolstoy, admired by Gandhi.
- Phoenix Farm (1904): Inspired by John Ruskin's critique of capitalism.
2. Gandhi in India
Context: Gandhi returned to India in 1915 and spent a year understanding the condition of the masses.
- Returned to India: January 1915.
- Toured the country for a year to understand the condition of the masses; refrained from taking any political position initially.
3. Champaran Satyagraha (1917)
Context: First Civil Disobedience movement in India, addressing the exploitation of indigo farmers in Champaran, Bihar.
Key Highlights:
- Issue: Indigo planters exploiting farmers in Champaran, Bihar.
- Requested by: Rajkumar Shukla.
- Joined by: Rajendra Prasad, Mazharul-Haq, Mahadev Desai, Narhari Parekh, J.B. Kripalani.
- Resistance: Gandhi defied orders to leave and faced punishment.
- Outcome: Tinkathia system abolished; peasants compensated; first victory of civil disobedience in India.
- Issue: Indigo planters exploiting farmers in Champaran, Bihar.
- Requested by: Rajkumar Shukla.
- Joined by: Rajendra Prasad, Mazharul-Haq, Mahadev Desai, Narhari Parekh, J.B. Kripalani.
- Resistance: Gandhi defied orders to leave and faced punishment.
- Outcome: Tinkathia system abolished; peasants compensated; first victory of civil disobedience in India.
4. Ahmedabad Mill Strike (Feb 1918)
Context: First Hunger Strike undertaken by Gandhi to resolve the dispute between cotton mill owners and workers.
- Dispute: Cotton mill owners vs. workers over plague bonus.
- Letter from: Anusuya Sarabhai (sister of Ambalal Sarabhai, mill owner).
- Intervention: Gandhi mediated, advised non-violent strike, undertook hunger strike.
- Outcome: Tribunal settled; workers awarded 35% wage hike.
Knowledge Nugget
The Ahmedabad Mill Strike marked Gandhi's first use of hunger strike as a tool for social justice, setting a precedent for future non-violent protests.
The Ahmedabad Mill Strike marked Gandhi's first use of hunger strike as a tool for social justice, setting a precedent for future non-violent protests.
5. Kheda Satyagraha (Mar 1918)
Context: First Non-Cooperation Movement led by Gandhi in response to tax refusal due to crop failure and drought in Kheda, Gujarat.
- Issue: Tax refusal due to crop failure and drought in Kheda, Gujarat.
- Leadership: Sardar Patel and Gandhians led the tax revolt.
- Unity: Communities supported the revolt, maintaining discipline.
- Outcome: Government suspended taxes, reduced rate increase, returned confiscated property.
6. Rowlatt Satyagraha (Apr 6, 1919)
Context: First Mass Strike against the repressive Rowlatt Act, which Gandhi called the "Black Act".
- Gandhi's Response: Called Rowlatt Act the "Black Act," urged mass protest.
- Participants: Peasants, artisans, and urban poor became active.
- Forms of Protest: Nationwide hartal, fasting, prayer, civil disobedience, courting arrest.
- All elected Indian members, including Muhammed Ali Jinnah, Madan Mohan Malaviya, and Mazhar Ul Haq, resigned in protest.
7. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (Apr 13, 1919)
Context: One of the darkest chapters in Indian history, where unarmed civilians were fired upon by British troops.
- Amritsar worst affected; shop closures.
- Arrests of Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr Satyapal led to further protests.
- Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer imposed martial law; forbade gatherings.
- Incident: Troops surrounded Jallianwala Bagh, fired on unarmed crowd without warning.
- Casualties: Congress estimated over 1,000 dead, 1,500 injured.
- Hunter Committee's Report (Mar 1920): Condemned Dyer for lack of notice to disperse; held for overstepping authority.
Hunter Committee Findings:
- Condemned General Dyer for not giving adequate warning before firing.
- Held Dyer responsible for exceeding his authority.
- The report led to widespread condemnation and strengthened the Indian freedom movement.
- Condemned General Dyer for not giving adequate warning before firing.
- Held Dyer responsible for exceeding his authority.
- The report led to widespread condemnation and strengthened the Indian freedom movement.
8. Summary: Key Events in Gandhi's Early Career
| Event | Year | Key Feature | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champaran Satyagraha | 1917 | First Civil Disobedience | Tinkathia abolished; peasants compensated |
| Ahmedabad Mill Strike | Feb 1918 | First Hunger Strike | 35% wage hike for workers |
| Kheda Satyagraha | Mar 1918 | First Non-Cooperation | Taxes suspended; property returned |
| Rowlatt Satyagraha | Apr 6, 1919 | First Mass Strike | Nationwide hartal; leaders resigned |
| Jallianwala Bagh Massacre | Apr 13, 1919 | Massacre of unarmed civilians | Hunter Committee condemned Dyer |
Key Takeaways
- Champaran (1917) — First Civil Disobedience; Tinkathia abolished.
- Ahmedabad (1918) — First Hunger Strike; 35% wage hike.
- Kheda (1918) — First Non-Cooperation; Sardar Patel led.
- Rowlatt Satyagraha (1919) — First Mass Strike; Jinnah resigned.
- Jallianwala Bagh (1919) — Dyer's massacre; Hunter Committee.
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Chapter 10 Focus)
Q1. In which year did Gandhi go to South Africa?
Correct Answer: B. Gandhi went to South Africa in 1893 for a legal case involving his client Dada Abdullah.
Q2. Which newspaper did Gandhi start in South Africa?
Correct Answer: A. Gandhi started the newspaper 'Indian Opinion' in South Africa.
Q3. The Champaran Satyagraha (1917) was Gandhi's:
Correct Answer: B. Champaran Satyagraha (1917) was Gandhi's first civil disobedience. The Tinkathia system was abolished.
Q4. Who requested Gandhi to come to Champaran?
Correct Answer: A. Rajkumar Shukla requested Gandhi to come to Champaran to address the plight of indigo farmers.
Q5. The Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918) was Gandhi's:
Correct Answer: B. Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918) was Gandhi's first hunger strike. Workers got 35% wage hike.
Q6. The Kheda Satyagraha (1918) was Gandhi's:
Correct Answer: C. Kheda Satyagraha (1918) was Gandhi's first non-cooperation movement. Sardar Patel led the tax revolt.
Q7. The Rowlatt Satyagraha took place on:
Correct Answer: A. Rowlatt Satyagraha was held on April 6, 1919, as a nationwide hartal against the Rowlatt Act.
Q8. The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre took place on:
Correct Answer: B. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre took place on April 13, 1919, when Dyer ordered firing on an unarmed crowd.
Q9. The Hunter Committee Report was submitted in:
Correct Answer: B. Hunter Committee Report on Jallianwala Bagh Massacre was submitted in March 1920.
Q10. Who resigned in protest against the Rowlatt Act?
Correct Answer: D. All elected Indian members, including Jinnah, Madan Mohan Malaviya, and Mazhar Ul Haq, resigned.