Question

Answer the following question.
Define the term 'Civil Disobedience Movement.' Describe the participation of rich and poor peasant communities in the 'Civil Disobedience Movement'.

Answer 1

The Civil Disobedience Movement led by M K Gandhi, in the year 1930 was an important milestone in the history of Indian Nationalism. it began with Gandhiji's famous salt march of about 240 miles from Sabarmati ashram in Ahmedabad to the coastal town of Dandi in Gujarat.

Rich peasants the Patidars of Gujarat and the Jats of Uttar Pradesh – were active in the movement.  These rich peasants became enthusiastic supporters of the Civil Disobedience Movement, organizing their communities, and at times forcing reluctant members, to participate in the boycott programs. For them, the fight for swaraj was a struggle against high revenues.

Many of them were small tenants cultivating land they had rented from landlords. As the Depression continued and cash incomes dwindled, the small tenants found it difficult to pay their rent. They wanted the unpaid rent to the landlord to be remitted. They joined a variety of radical movements, often led by Socialists and Communists.

The rich peasants were greatly affected by the economic depression and fall in the prices of goods. he wanted a reduction inland revenue. Swaraj for them meant a reduction of taxes. So they participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement.

The poor peasants, on the other hand, wanted a reduction in rent or revenue. For them, Swaraj meant a reduction of taxes. This was their aim in the participation of the movement.