Tag: non-cooperation movement

Gandhi was a great supporter of Ahimsa. He always thought that any battle could be won by non-violence. This could be done by appealing to the conscience of the oppressor.

In 1916, Gandhiji travelled to Champaran in Bihar and took up the cause of poor peasants against the oppression of indigo planters.

In Ahmedabad, he took up the cause of textile workers, who were demanding a raise in their wages.

Gandhi supported non-violence and encouraged love and tolerance. According to him without seeking vengeance or being aggressive, a Satyagrahi could win the battle through non-violence. Oppressors had to be persuaded to see the truth, instead of being forced to accept truth through the use of violence.

He called the Untouchables 'Harijan', or the children of God organised satyagraha to secure them entry into temples, and access to public wells, tanks, roads and schools. 

Term 'Harijan' was popularised by Mahatma Gandhi. He devoted himself to fight against the inhuman practice of untouchability. He started a crusade to root out this evil & referred to the oppressed class as 'Harijans' (sons of God). In his ashram, together with his followers, he performed all those tasks which were otherwise carried out by the Untouchables.

First mass movement of Mahatma Gandhi was at Champaran which is located in Bihar. Here poor peasants and indentured laborers were forced to grow indigo plantations instead of food crops which were required for their survival. This indigo was taken by British at very low prices leaving the farmers in extreme poverty. 

Mahatma Gandhi on the eve of launching Quit India Movement on 8^th August 1942 gave the call ‘Do or Die’. Gandhiji said we shall either free India or die in the attempt.

Mahatma Gandhi played leading roles in Quit India movement, Civil disobedience movement, and Non-Cooperation movement but was not associated with the Home Rule Movement. Prominent Indians like Joseph Baptista, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, G. S. Khaparde, Sir S. Subramania Iyer and the leader of the Theosophical Society, Annie Besant were associated with the Home Rule Movement.

The third and final phase of the Nationalist Movement [1919-1947] is known as the Gandhian era. During this period Mahatma Gandhi became the undisputed leader of the National Movement. His principles of nonviolence and Satyagraha were employed against the British Government.