Gandhi and Indian Independence

Gandhi and Indian independence

Gandhi

FACT FILE Name: Mohandas Gandhi (Gandhi is also known as ‘Mahatma’, which means ‘Great Soul’) Dates: 1869–1948 Nationality: Indian Role: leader of Indian nationalist movement Known for: peaceful campaign for Indian independence

3 Read Background and the text. Complete the table with notes about the significant events in Indian history and Gandhi’s life.

Venture Level 2 . Gandhi and Indian independence, p.246 © Oxford University Press PHOTOCOPIABLE 1858 1

1869 2

1888 3

1893 4

1916 5

1930 6

1947 7

1948 8

Background The British in India In the 17th century, a group of British traders were given a monopoly on all trade with India. The East India Company set up large trading posts along the coasts of India. Whole British communities developed there, and the defence of these communities eventually turned into battles for land with local Indian leaders. The East India Company’s expansion through India was supported by the British government and army.

The British and Indians continued to fight for possession of land through the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1858, the British crushed a large Indian rebellion and took control of Delhi. India officially became a British colony. It was one of the largest countries in the British Empire and was known as the ‘jewel in the crown’.

Mohandas Gandhi was born in India, but he studied Law in London from 1888 to 1891. In 1893, he went to work as a lawyer in Durban, South Africa. In South Africa, Gandhi found harsh discrimination against Indian immigrants. He campaigned for their rights and spent time in prison because he opposed the government.

Gandhi returned to India in 1916 and started a career in politics. He was against British rule in India, but wanted to achieve independence by non-violent methods.

Venture Level 2 . Gandhi and Indian independence, p.246 © Oxford University Press PHOTOCOPIABLE Instead of fighting, he told Indians to protest, to go on strike and to boycott British goods. For example, Gandhi objected to Britain’s monopoly on salt production in India, so in 1930 he led around 100,000 Indians in a symbolic walk to the sea to make their own salt.

Gandhi was put in prison many times by the British. In prison, he often went on hunger strike. The British always released him because nobody wanted the responsibility for his death. Gandhi chose to dress as a simple Indian villager, a choice which won him attention and support from people all over the world.

After the Second World War, Britain gave India its independence. Gandhi played an important role in the negotiations. For this reason, many people still see him as the ‘Father of the Nation’.

In 1947, two independent states were created. The north of India became Pakistan, for the Muslims, while the rest of India was given to the Hindus. This partition of India was unpopular with the population. Ten million people had to move, and thousands were killed in acts of religious violence. In 1948, Gandhi was assassinated by a Hindu fanatic who blamed him for the partition.

Gandhi’s practice of non-violence has influenced other important civil rights leaders, including Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela.