📌 Topic 01 of 6 · Chapter 15 · Gandhian Era & Independence
Gandhi’s Entry & Non-Cooperation Movement
Champaran (1917), Kheda (1918), Ahmedabad (1918). Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922), Chauri Chaura, withdrawal.
🕊️ Gandhi’s Early Movements in India
Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in January 1915. He first tested his Satyagraha methods in three local movements before launching national campaigns:
| Movement | Year | Place | Issue | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champaran Satyagraha | 1917 | Bihar | Indigo farmers exploited by British planters (tinkathia system) | Gandhi’s first Satyagraha in India; tinkathia system abolished; Gandhi established as national leader |
| Kheda Satyagraha | 1918 | Gujarat | Land revenue collection during famine; peasants demanded remission | British agreed to suspend revenue collection; Sardar Patel emerged as Gandhi’s lieutenant |
| Ahmedabad Mill Strike | 1918 | Gujarat | Mill workers demanded wage increase | Gandhi’s first hunger strike; workers got 35% wage increase |
⚔️ Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (April 13, 1919)
- Occurred on Baisakhi day at Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar
- General Dyer ordered firing on a peaceful crowd protesting the Rowlatt Act
- ~379 killed (official), ~1,000+ (unofficial); hundreds wounded
- Rabindranath Tagore returned his knighthood in protest
- This massacre turned moderate Indians into nationalists
- Became a turning point in the freedom struggle
🚫 Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922)
- Launched: September 1920; Gandhi’s first mass movement
- Causes: Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Rowlatt Act, Khilafat issue
- Khilafat Movement: Muslim movement to protect Ottoman Caliphate; Gandhi supported it — Hindu-Muslim unity
Methods of Non-Cooperation:
- Boycott of British goods, schools, courts, councils
- Surrender of titles and honours
- Non-payment of taxes
- Promotion of Swadeshi goods and Khadi
- Promotion of Hindu-Muslim unity
Chauri Chaura Incident (February 5, 1922):
- A mob burned a police station at Chauri Chaura (Gorakhpur, UP)
- 22 policemen killed
- Gandhi was deeply disturbed by this violence
- Gandhi withdrew the Non-Cooperation Movement immediately
- Many Congress leaders criticised this decision — movement was at its peak
⭐ Significance of Non-Cooperation Movement: The Non-Cooperation Movement was the first mass movement in India — involving all sections of society (peasants, workers, students, women). It showed the power of non-violent resistance. Despite being withdrawn, it demonstrated that the British could be challenged. It established Gandhi as the undisputed leader of the freedom movement.
📝 Exam Tip:
• Champaran = 1917 = Bihar = Gandhi’s first Satyagraha in India
• Jallianwala Bagh = April 13, 1919 = General Dyer = ~379 killed
• Tagore returned knighthood = protest against Jallianwala Bagh
• Non-Cooperation Movement = September 1920 = first mass movement
• Chauri Chaura = February 5, 1922 = 22 policemen killed = Gandhi withdrew movement
• Champaran = 1917 = Bihar = Gandhi’s first Satyagraha in India
• Jallianwala Bagh = April 13, 1919 = General Dyer = ~379 killed
• Tagore returned knighthood = protest against Jallianwala Bagh
• Non-Cooperation Movement = September 1920 = first mass movement
• Chauri Chaura = February 5, 1922 = 22 policemen killed = Gandhi withdrew movement