Vardaan Learning Institute
Chapter 7: National Movement 1919–1934 (Non-Cooperation & Civil Disobedience Movements)
Chapter Overview
The arrival of Mahatma Gandhi transformed the Indian freedom struggle into a true mass movement based on Satyagraha (truth force) and Ahimsa (non-violence). This period saw two historic nation-wide movements: the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922) and the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–1934).
1. Causes of the Non-Cooperation Movement
Three Triggers of Non-Cooperation
1. The Rowlatt Act (1919)
Officially called the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act (March 1919). Empowered the government to arrest any person without warrant and detain them in prison for up to 2 years without trial. Suspects were denied right to legal counsel or appeal. Popularly condemned as "No Vakil, No Dalil, No Appeal" (No Lawyer, No Argument, No Appeal). Gandhi organized a nationwide Rowlatt Satyagraha (hartal on 6 April 1919).
2. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (13 April 1919)
On Baisakhi day, a peaceful crowd gathered at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar to protest the arrest of leaders Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr. Satyapal. General Dyer blocked the only exit and ordered troops to open fire on the unarmed crowd without warning. Over 1,000 people were killed. In deep outrage, Rabindranath Tagore surrendered his Knighthood, declaring British rule was devoid of moral justification.
3. The Khilafat Movement (1919–1920)
After WWI, Britain stripped the Sultan of Turkey (the Caliph / Khalifa, spiritual leader of Muslims) of his territories. Led by the Ali Brothers (Maulana Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Ali) and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the Khilafat Committee launched protests. Gandhi supported Khilafat, realizing it presented a golden opportunity to unite Hindus and Muslims in a common anti-imperialist movement.
2. The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922)
The Nagpur Session of INC (December 1920) officially endorsed Gandhi's Non-Cooperation resolution.
Programmes of Non-Cooperation
Boycott & Constructive Programme
- Boycott Programme
- Surrender of titles, honors, and honorary posts (Gandhi returned his Kaiser-i-Hind medal).
- Boycott of government schools, colleges, and British courts (lawyers like Motilal Nehru, C.R. Das, Vallabhbhai Patel gave up practice).
- Boycott of legislative councils under the 1919 Act.
- Boycott of foreign cloth and goods; public bonfires of foreign clothes.
- Constructive Programme
- Popularization of Charkha (spinning wheel) and handwoven Khadi.
- Setting up of indigenous national educational institutions: Jamia Millia Islamia, Kashi Vidyapith, Gujarat Vidyapith, and Bihar Vidyapith.
- Promotion of Hindu-Muslim unity and removal of untouchability.
Chauri Chaura Incident and Suspension of Movement
Suspension of Movement
On 5 February 1922, at Chauri Chaura (in Gorakhpur district, UP), a peaceful procession was provoked by the police. The angry mob attacked the police station and set it on fire, killing 22 policemen inside.
Distressed by the outbreak of violence, Mahatma Gandhi immediately suspended the Non-Cooperation Movement on 12 February 1922 through the Bardoli Resolution, asserting that India was not yet trained in non-violent Satyagraha.
Impact of the Non-Cooperation Movement
Significance
- Transformed the INC into a true Mass Movement reaching workers, peasants, students, and women across rural India.
- Shattered the myth of British invincibility and removed fear of arrest and prison from Indian minds.
- Fostered unprecedented Hindu-Muslim Unity.
- Promoted economic self-reliance through Swadeshi and Khadi.
3. The Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–1934)
Circumstances Leading to Civil Disobedience
- Simon Commission (1927) A 7-member British Statutory Commission headed by Sir John Simon sent to report on working of 1919 Act. Boycotted by all Indian parties because it contained not a single Indian member ("All-White Commission"). Greeted across India with black flags and slogan "Simon Go Back".
- Lahore Session (Dec 1929) Presided over by Jawaharlal Nehru. Passed the historic resolution declaring Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence) as the ultimate goal of Congress. The Tricolour flag was unfurled on the banks of River Ravi on 31 December 1929. 26 January 1930 was celebrated as the first Independence Day.
The Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha — 1930)
Salt Satyagraha
Mahatma Gandhi chose Salt as the central symbol of defiance because salt was an essential item of food consumed by rich and poor alike, yet the British levied a heavy tax and held a government monopoly on its manufacture.
- Start Date & Route: On 12 March 1930, Gandhi accompanied by 78 chosen followers set out on foot from Sabarmati Ashram to the coastal village of Dandi (240 miles).
- Breaking the Law: On 6 April 1930, Gandhi picked up a handful of natural salt from the seashore at Dandi, formally breaking the Salt Law and launching the Civil Disobedience Movement nationwide.
Programmes of Civil Disobedience
- Manufacture of illegal salt across all coastal regions.
- Picketing of foreign cloth shops and liquor vendors by women.
- Non-payment of land revenue, chaukidari tax, and forest laws violation.
- Mass resignations of Indian government servants.
The Gandhi-Irwin Pact (March 1931) and Round Table Conferences
| Event |
Key Details & Outcome |
| First Round Table Conference (1930) |
Held in London. Boycotted by the Indian National Congress; achieved no concrete progress. |
| Gandhi-Irwin Pact (5 March 1931) |
Pact between Lord Irwin and Gandhi. Congress agreed to suspend Civil Disobedience and attend 2nd RTC. Government agreed to release non-violent political prisoners and permit peaceful salt manufacture for personal consumption. |
| Second Round Table Conference (Sept 1931) |
Gandhi attended in London as sole representative of Congress. Failed because British government insisted on granting separate electorates for minorities (Depressed Classes, Muslims), which Gandhi opposed. |
| Resumption & End of CDM (1932–1934) |
Gandhi returned empty-handed and resumed Civil Disobedience in Jan 1932. Government unleashed harsh repression, outlawed Congress, and jailed top leaders. Movement gradually lost momentum and was withdrawn in May 1934. |
Significance of the Civil Disobedience Movement
Historical Legacy
- Brought women into public political life on a massive scale (led picketing of liquor/cloth shops).
- Proved that British control depended on Indian passive acquiescence — once people refused obedience, colonial rule lost legitimacy.
- Popularized the demand for Purna Swaraj in every corner of India.
