- Boycott of British institutions – schools, colleges, courts, elections, titles, and official functions.
- Boycott of foreign goods and promotion of Swadeshi & Khadi.
- National institutions – national schools, colleges, and village panchayats.
- Social reform – Hindu–Muslim unity, removal of untouchability, women upliftment.
Key Points
Key Points: Economic Suffering and the Rise of Gandhi
- World War I caused heavy taxes, price rise and poverty
- Food shortages & famines (1918–21)
- Influenza epidemic killed millions
- Mass suffering created need for new leadership
- Mahatma Gandhi emerged, leading the Gandhian Era (1915–1948)
Key Points: Early Life of Mahatma Gandhi
- Born 1869, Porbandar; studied Law in England
- Faced racism in South Africa → developed Satyagraha
- Returned to India in 1915
Early Struggles:
- Champaran: Helped indigo peasants
- Ahmedabad: Supported mill workers
- Kheda: Fought for tax relief
Key Points: Gandhiji's Methods and Directions
- Satyagraha: Truth + non-violence; peaceful resistance without hatred
- Non-Violence (Ahimsa): No harm by thought, word or action; moral strength
- Swadeshi: Use of Indian goods; self-reliance (charkha, khadi)
- Mass Movement: Involved peasants, workers, women and all communities
Key Points: Non-Cooperation Movement
- During World War I, Congress and Gandhiji supported the British.
- Events of 1919 (Rowlatt Act, Jallianwala Bagh massacre and Khilafat issue) disillusioned Gandhiji.
- Gandhiji decided to withdraw cooperation from the British government.
- Non-Cooperation meant refusing to assist an unjust government.
- The movement was launched on 31 August 1920 based on the principle that non-cooperation with evil is a moral duty.
Key Points: Causes that Led to the Non-Cooperation Movement
- Rowlatt Act (1919): Arrest without trial → anger and protest.
- Jallianwala Bagh (1919): Brutal massacre → faith in British justice ended.
- Khilafat Issue: Hurt Muslim sentiments → need for Hindu–Muslim unity.
- Gandhiji’s Response: Launched Non-Cooperation Movement (31 Aug 1920).
Key Points: Objectives of the Non-Cooperation Movement
- Attain Swaraj (self-government), within or outside the British Empire.
- Withdraw unjust laws like the Rowlatt Act and correct Punjab atrocities.
- Support Khilafat demands and protect Muslim religious interests.
Key Points: Programmes of Non-Cooperation Movement
Key Points: Activities During Non-Cooperation Movement
- Mass participation – lawyers quit practice, students left schools, elections boycotted.
- Promotion of Swadeshi – charkha, khadi, burning of foreign goods, picketing of liquor shops.
- National institutions – Jamia Millia Islamia, Kashi, Bihar & Gujarat Vidyapiths set up.
- Symbolic protest – titles returned, funds donated, Prince of Wales’ visit boycotted.
- Rural unrest & setbacks – peasant movements, Moplah rebellion harming Hindu–Muslim unity.
Key Points: Repression by the Government
- Severe repression – leaders arrested, meetings and processions banned, organisations declared illegal.
- Mass arrests – jail became a symbol of sacrifice, not fear.
- Withdrawal of movement – Non-Cooperation was called off after the Chauri Chaura incident (1922).
Key Points: Repression by the Government
- Leaders arrested; jails filled
- Meetings & processions banned
- Congress & Khilafat groups banned
- Movement withdrawn after Chauri Chaura (1922)
Key Points: Suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement
- Chauri Chaura incident (5 Feb 1922) – violent clash led to killing of 22 policemen.
- Gandhiji withdrew the movement on 12 Feb 1922 due to his belief in non-violence.
- Criticism of withdrawal by leaders like Motilal Nehru, Lala Lajpat Rai, Subhas Bose.
- Shift to constructive work – khadi, swadeshi, Hindu-Muslim unity, removal of untouchability.
- Gandhiji arrested on 10 March 1922, released later due to ill health.
Key Points: Impact of the Non-Cooperation Movement
- Turned nationalism into a mass movement
- Built self-confidence against British rule
- Made Congress a mass action organisation
- Promoted unity, swadeshi and social reform
- Popularised the idea of Swaraj
Key Points: Factors Leading Upto Civil Disobedience Movement
- Simon Commission (1927) – all-British body, no Indians → nationwide protest.
- Nehru Report (1928) – demand for Dominion Status & Fundamental Rights.
- British rejection of Nehru Report → political deadlock.
- Lahore Session (1929) – Congress declared Poorna Swaraj as the goal.
- 26 January 1930 declared Independence Day.
- Decision to launch Civil Disobedience Movement to achieve complete independence.
Key Points: Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934)
- Started in 1930 with Dandi March and breaking of Salt Law
- Aimed at defying British laws (salt, taxes, foreign goods)
- Mass participation across India
- Government repression – arrests, firing, Congress banned
Key Points: Round Table Conference
- Round Table Conferences (1930–32):
Congress boycotted the 1st; Gandhiji attended the 2nd; all failed due to minority issues. - Gandhi–Irwin Pact (1931):
Govt released prisoners & allowed salt making; Congress suspended CDM and joined talks. - Communal Award & Poona Pact (1932):
Separate electorates announced; opposed by Gandhiji → Poona Pact gave reservations without separate electorates. - Renewal & End of CDM:
Talks failed, repression followed, Congress banned; movement withdrawn in 1934.
Key Points: Impact of the Civil Disobedience Movement
- Strengthened nationalism and kept the freedom struggle alive; Congress ban lifted in 1934.
- Expanded mass participation (peasants, workers, traders, tribals, women).
- Popularised non-violence and new methods like prabhat pheris and patriotic songs.
- Improved social conditions (Harijan uplift, temple entry, women’s participation).
- Forced British to introduce reforms → Government of India Act, 1935.
- Prepared ground for Congress success in 1937 elections.
Key Points: Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar's Contribution
- Architect of the Indian Constitution
- Leader of Dalits and social reformer
- Fought untouchability & caste discrimination
- First Law Minister of India
- Chairman of Constitution Drafting Committee
- Promoted equality, justice, social harmony
- Converted to Buddhism (1956)
- Awarded Bharat Ratna
Important Questions [31]
- Through various national movements, Gandhiji mobilised public support to win freedom for India. Any three causes for Gandhiji to launch the Non-Cooperation Movement.
- State Any Two Provisions of the Rowlatt Act Passed by the Government in 1919.
- With Reference to the Picture Given Below, (I) Identify the Memorial Built for Those Who Were Killed in this Incident. (Ii) Where Did this Incident Take Place?
- The Rowlatt Act was called the Black Act because the Indians ______.
- Name the leaders of the Khilafat movement that was launched in India to champion the cause of the Caliph of Turkey.
- What Was the Khilafat Movement
- Name the incident which led to the suspension of this movement.
- With Reference to the Picture Given Below, Answer the Following Questions :State Any Four Impacts of the Movement.
- With Reference to the Picture Given Below, Answer the Following Questions : Explain Briefly the Reason for the Suspension of this Particular Movement Gandhi in 1922.
- State Any Two Causes that Led to the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930.
- Why Was the Congress Session Held at Lahore Significant to the National Movement?
- With Reference to the National Movement from 1930 to 1947, Answer the Following : State Any Three Features of the Programmed of the Civil Disobedience Movement Launched in 1930.
- People protested against the ______ because it had seven British members and no Indian representation.
- Look at the picture given below and answer the following question: Name the march being led by Gandhiji in the above picture.
- Look at the picture given below and answer the following question: Which movement did this march launch?
- Mention any two conditions that the British Government agreed to according to this pact.
- Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Irwin signed a pact in 1931. Mention any two conditions that the congress agreed according to this pact.
- In the Nagpur Session, 1920, the Congress Ratified the Resolution to Launch the Non-cooperation Movement Under the Leadership of Gandhiji. in this Context: What Were the Objectives Which the Movement Sought to Achieve?
- Why Was the Simon Commission Rejected by the Congress?
- Who is Regarded as the Political Guru of Mahatma Gandhi? Give a Reason for Him Being Considered as the Mahatma’S Guru.
- Through Various National Movements, Gandhiji Mobilised Public Support to Win Freedom for India. in this Context, State the Following: the Impact of the Non-cooperation Movement in India’S Freedom Struggle.
- Through Various National Movements, Gandhiji Mobilised Public Support to Win Freedom for India. in this Context, State the Following: the Name Was Given to the Uprising of 1942. Two Reasons for Launching this Mass Uprising.
- With reference to the National Movement from 1930 to 1947, answer the following : What was the significance of the Second Round Table Conference held in 1931?
- Why did Mahatma Gandhi start his historic march to Dandi?
- The Period Between 1920 to 1947 Was Marked with Major Events and Reforms that Finally Led to Us to Our Independence. in this Context, Answer the Following Questions: State Three Provisions of the Gandhi Irwin Pact as a Result of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
- With Reference to the Growth of National Consciousness in India, Explain Each of the Following: the Impact of the Swadeshi and the Boycott Movement.
- In 1930 Mahatma Gandhi'S Demands Were Rejected by the British, as a Result of Which He Launched the Civil Disobedience Movement. in this Context Explain the Following: the Gandhi-irwin Pact as a Consequence of this Movement.
- In 1930, Mahatma Gandhi’s demands were rejected by the British, as a result of which he launched the Civil Disobedience Movement. In this context, explain the following:
- In 1930 Mahatma Gandhi'S Demands Were Rejected by the British, as a Result of Which He Launched the Civil Disobedience Movement. in this Context Explain the Following Significance of the Second Round Table Conference.
- Mention Any One Provision Each of the Gandhi-irwin Pact Signed in 1931.
- In the Nagpur Session, 1920, the Congress Ratified the Resolution to Launch the Non-cooperation Movement Under the Leadership of Gandhiji. in this Context: What Do You Understand by the Term Non-cooperation?
Concepts [16]
- Economic Suffering and the Rise of Gandhi
- Early Life of Mahatma Gandhi
- Gandhiji's Methods and Directions
- Non-Cooperation Movement
- Causes that Led to the Non-Cooperation Movement
- Objectives of the Non-Cooperation Movement
- Programmes of Non-Cooperation Movement
- Activities During Non-Cooperation Movement
- Repression by the Government
- Suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement
- Impact of the Non-Cooperation Movement
- Factors Leading Upto Civil Disobedience Movement
- Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934)
- Round Table Conference
- Impact of the Civil Disobedience Movement
- Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar's Contribution
