Indian History BL.4004 Mahatma Gandhi: Major Movements that helped in Indian Freedom Struggle: Mahatma Gandhi ‘Father of the Nation’ is also known as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. He was born on 2 October, 1869 Porbandar, Gujarat, India. Gandhi ji got married to the Kasturba Makhanji at the age of just 13 years. He had played an important role in India's freedom struggle. Let us read his major movements that helped in achieving freedom from British Raj. Non-Cooperation Movement (1920): Non-Cooperation movement was launched in 1920 by Mahatma Gandhi due to the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. Mahatma Gandhi thought that this will continue and Britishers will enjoy their control over Indians. With the help of Congress, Gandhi ji convinced people for starting non- cooperation movement in a peaceful way which is key factor to attain independence. He framed the concept of Swaraj and it became a crucial element in the Indian freedom struggle. The movement gained momentum and people started boycotting the products and establishments of British government like schools, colleges, government offices. But due to Chauri Chaura incident, Mahatma Gandhi ended the movement because in this incident 23 police officials were killed. Civil-Disobedience Movement (1930): Mahatma Gandhi in March 1930 addressed the nation in a newspaper, Young India and expressed his willingness to suspend the movement if his eleven demands get accepted by the government. But the government at that time was of Lord Irwin and he did not respond back to him. As a result, Mahatma Gandhi initiated the movement with full vigour. 20 Interesting and Unknown Facts about Mahatma Gandhi He started the movement with Dandi March from 12 March to 6 April, 1930. Mahatma Gandhi along with his followers marched from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi in Nausari District, Ahmedabad on the sea coast and broke the salt law by making salt on 6 April, 1930. Under this movement student left college and government servant resigned from the office. Boycott foreign clothes, communal burning of foreign clothes, non-payment of government taxes, women stage Dharna at the government liquor shop etc. In 1930, the Lord Irwin's Government called for a Round Table Conference in London and Indian National Conference refused to take part in it. So, to make sure that Congress participates in conference he signed a pact with Mahatma Gandhi in 1931. It was known as Gandhi-Irwin Pact. It focuses on the release of all the political prisoners and cancellation of the oppressive laws. Quit India Movement (1942): Mahatma Gandhi launches Quit India movement on 8 August, 1942 during Second World War to drive British rule out of India. In the movement Mahatma Gandhi delivered 'Do or Die' speech. As a result the entire members of Indian National Congress were arrested by the British officials and imprisoned them without trial. But the protest continued across the nation. By the end of World War II, British government cleared that they will hand over the powers to India. Mahatma Gandhi called off the movement which results in the release of thousands of prisoners. Therefore, these are the major movements that led by Mahatma Gandhi and helped India in attaining freedom from the British rule Quit India Movement: All you need to know in 10 point The Quit India Movement also known as India August Movement or Bharat Chodo Andolan was launched at the Bombay session of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) by Mahatma Gandhi on August 8, 1942. The protest was initiated to demand an end to the British rule in India. Since the movement was held in August it is also known as August Kranti or August Movement. The movement was started on August 9, 1942, and since then the day is celebrated as August Kranti Day/Diwas. The day is celebrated by paying tribute to freedom fighters with national integration speeches and other events. Here’s all you need to about Quit India Movement: Mumbai’s Gowalia Tank Maidan also known as August Kranti Maidan is the place where Mahatma Gandhi delivered his speech marking the beginning of the Quit India Movement. Mahatma along with other leaders gathered here on August 8 and 9, 1942. The maidan also houses a monument as a tribute to the historical event. In his speech at Mumbai’s Gowalia Tank, Gandhiji called the nation to ‘Do or Die’ in his speech. Within hours of the speech, almost the entire INC was imprisoned without trial. Several national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Abdul Kalam Azad, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel were arrested. The Congress was declared an unlawful association, leaders were arrested and its offices all over the country were raided and their funds were frozen. The first half of the movement was peaceful with demonstrations and processions. The peaceful protest was carried till Mahatma Gandhi’s release. The second half of the movement was violent with raids and setting fire at post offices, government buildings and railway stations. Lord Linlithgow adopted the policy of violence. The Viceroy’s Council of Muslims, Communist Party and Americans supported Britishers. After the arrest of major leaders, young Aruna Asaf Ali presided over the AICC session. Despite several police warnings and government notices for banning public processions and assemblies, a large crowd gathered at Mumbai’s Gowalia Tank Maidan where Aruna Asaf Ali hoisted the flag. The final phase of the movement was marked on September 1942 where mobs getting together and bombings in government places of Mumbai and Madhya Pradesh. The British refused to grant immediate independence and stated that it could only be granted after the war ended. Finally, India got independence in 1947. .