Rise and growth of womens movements

Socio-Religious Reform Movements

The roots of the Indian womens movement go back to the early nineteenth century when social reformers, beginning with Ram Mohun Roy (1772-1833), began to focus on issues concerning women. Roy condemned sati, kulin polygamy and spoke in favour of womens property rights. He held the condition of Indian women as one of the factors responsible for the degraded state of Indian society. If Ram Mohun is remembered for his anti-sati movement, Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar is more often remembered for his widow remarriage campaign. Following them, improving the condition of women became the first tenet of the Indian social reform movement. Womens inferior status, enforced seclusion, early marriage, condition of widows and lack of education were facts documented by reformers throughout the country.

Womens Organizations started by men Womens organizations started by women

By the end of the nineteenth century, a few women emerged from within the reformed families who formed organizations of their own. One of the first to do so was Swarnakumari Devi, daughter of Devendranath Tagore, a Brahmo leader, and sister of the poet Rabindranath Tagore, who formed the Ladies Society in Calcutta in 1882 for educating and imparting skills to widows and other poor women to make them economically self reliant. She edited a women journal, Bharati, thus earning herself the distinction of being the first Indian woman editor. In the same year, Ramabai Saraswati formed the Arya Mahila Samaj in Pune and a few years later started the Sharda Sadan in Bombay. The National Conference was formed at the third session of the Indian National Congress in 1887 to provide a forum for the discussion of social issues. The Bharat Mahila Parishad was the womens wing of this and was inaugurated in 1905. It focused on child marriage, condition of widows, dowry and other evil customs.The Parsis, the Muslims and the Sikhs all formed their own womens organizations.Women in Calcutta, Bombay, Madras and other smaller cities formed associations .

National Womens Organizations

In 1910, Sarala Devi Chaudhurani, daughter of Swarnakumari Devi formed the Bharat Stree Mandal (Great Circle of India Women) with the object of bringing together women of all castes, creeds, classes and parties on the basis of their common interest in the moral and material progress of the women of

India. Purdah was regarded by Sarala Devi as the main obstacle for womens education and teachers were sent round to womens homes to educate them.

Votes for Women

Womens Indian Association founded by Annie Besant in 1917, was in a sense the first all India womens association with the clear objective of securing voting rights for women. The Indian National Congress at its session in Calcutta in 1917, over which Annie Besant presided, supported the demand of votes for women and so did the Muslim League. A womens delegation led by Sarojini Naidu met the Secretary of State and the Viceroy to plead their case personally.

Reform of Personal Laws

The All India Womens Conference was established in 1927 at the initiative of Margaret Cousins to take up the problem of womens education . It waged a vigorous campaign for raising the age of marriage which led to the passing of the Sarda Act in 1929. AIWC took up the cause of reform of personal law. It demanded reform of Hindu laws to prohibit bigamy, provide the right to divorce and for women to inherit property and finally obtained with the passing of the Hindu Code Bills in the 1950s.

Women in the labour movement

In 1917 Anasuya Sarabhai had led the Ahmedabad textile workers strike and in 1920 under her leadership the Majoor Mahajan, the Ahmedabad textile mill workers union was established.

Women in the National Movement

Womens struggle entered a new phase with the arrival of Mahatma Gandhi on the Indian political scene. (Kaur,1968; Basu,1976). Women had been associated with the freedom struggle before that too. They had attended sessions of the Indian National Congress and taken part in the swadeshi movement in Bengal, 1905-11 and in the Home Rule Movement. But the involvement of really large number of women in the national movement began when Gandhi launched the first Non Co-operation Movement and gave a special role to women. Peasant women played an important role in the rural satyagrahas of Borsad and Bardoli. Women participated in the Salt satyagraha, in the Civil Disobedience Movement, in the Quit India Movement and in all the Gandhian satyagrahas. They held meetings, organized processions, picketed shops selling foreign cloth and liquor and went to jail. While thousands of women joined the freedom movement in response to Gandhis call, there were others who could not accept his creed of non-violence and joined revolutionary or terrorist groups. Their hatred of the British was intense and their plan was to make attempts on European lives as widely as possible. They believed in individual acts of heroism not in building a mass movement. Women participated in the freedom movement because they were inspired by patriotism and wanted to see the end of foreign rule. It is debatable as to how far

this participation liberated them. Womens participation in the freedom movement did not lead to a separate autonomous womens movement since it was part of the anti-colonial movement. While women who picketed shops, marched in processions or went to jail or threw bombs did not question male leadership or patriarchal values, it did generate in them a sense of self-confidence and a realization of their own strength. Many returned to their homes but others continued their activities in the public arena. It transformed the lives of many young widows such as Durgabai Deshmukh or Kamaladevi Chattopadhyaya. Women won respect for their courage and the large numbers in which they participated in the freedom struggle and at the Karachi session of the Indian National Congress in 1930, the resolution on Fundamental Rights gave equal rights to women.

Women in Indian Freedom Struggle

Women in freedom struggle of the country have contributed significantly. The initiative, bravery, guts and headship that the women have showed in the freedom movements for the country`s independence from colonial rule have given them widespread significance in the Indian society. During the uprising of 1857, women of the ruling class came together along with the men to fulfil their ambition for an independent India. Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar and the famous Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi had become iconic figures in the Indian political arena. They were at a supreme status in the society. After the mortifying defeat of 1857, the British Government replaced the East India Company and British rule became a historical fact. The seed of National Movement for India`s independence started with the early 19th century social reform and education programmes started by important social reformers such as Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Ram Mohan Roy, Maharishi Karve and others, as well as the Brahmo Samaj and the Arya Samaj. Indian women actively participated in the revolution and movement for social change during the national struggle for Independence. Thus, the participation of women was not restricted to one type of activity such as the non-violent Satyagraha Movement. Women`s early contribution to the Indian national movement started in the late 19th Century with women`s involvement in the Indian National Congress. In 1890, Swaran Kumari Ghoshal, a women novelist and Kadambari Ganguly, the first woman graduate of the British Empire, went to attend the INC meeting as a delegate. In the year 1905, National Movement for the country`s independence took a crucial turn with the division of Bengal. Role of Women in Independence Movement During the freedom struggle of the country, women were not lagging behind. Women joined men to protest against the British rulers by boycotting foreign goods and resolving to buy only those goods produced in the territory of Bengal. Mrs. Nonibala Devi joined the new Jugantar Party which was dedicated to aggressive movement in the early 20th century. Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in 1915 and took up the demand for self-rule and later for Poorna Swaraj through non-violent methods. His call to join the Satyagraha Movement

witnessed women getting involved in all his programmes. Some of the women who played a very active role in the Swadeshi Movement were Sarojini Naidu, Urmila Devi, Durgabai Deshmukh, S. Ambujammal, Basanti Devi, and Krishnabai Ram. Women in Non-Cooperation Movement Women of educated and liberal families, as well as those from the rural areas actively joined Mahatma Gandhi in his non cooperation movement. Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, Sucheta Kripalani, Sarla Devi Chaudhurani, Muthulaxmi Reddy, Susheela Nair, and Aruna Asaf Ali are some the women freedom fighters who participated in the non-violent movement. Kasturba Gandhi and Kamla Nehru also participated in the National Movement. Lado Rani Zutshi and her daughters led the movement in Lahore. Indian women who joined the national movement belonged to all walks of life, all castes, religions and communities. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit hailed from a well-known family. Her father Motilal Nehru was the president of Congress and brother Jawaharlal Nehru went on to become India`s Prime Minister. She was highly inspired by the personality of Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi and by Sarojini Naidu. She participated in the Non Co-operation Movement to fight against the British rulers. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit attended many public lectures and represented the country abroad. She was a great fighter and took parts in many of the freedom movement. In the year 1936, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit was elected in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. Her political profession made her the first women cabinet minister of India in the year 1937. Aruna Asaf Ali was another renowned freedom fighter and a devoted sociologist. She was selected as the first Mayor of Delhi. Sarojini Naidu was popularly known as the Nightingale of India. She was a noted poet, and one of the great freedom fighters of the country. Sarojini Naidu actively campaigned for the Khilafat Movement. The Indian National Army (INA), which was set up by Subhash Chandra Bose, was one of the most genuine and fearless movements undertaken by Indian men and women under the able and remarkable leadership of this great patriot. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose recruited around 1000 women for the Rani of Jhasi Regiment from different South East Asian countries. Dr. Lakshmi Swaminathan, who was a medical practitioner by profession, led this regiment. The women in the regiment were given the same training as that was given to men. Even their uniform was similar to the men soldiers. The real impact of the INA may not have been in military terms, but it had a deep psychological impact on the women of India. While there was significant number of women patriots who stood by Gandhiji and the Congress in the non-violent movement, women of Bengal and from other parts of India also participated in a vital role in various armed revolutions. Women played a major role in the Lahore Students Union of Bhagat Singh and the Kakori case. The Mahila Rashtriya Sangha was established by Latika Ghosh in the year 1928. Veena Das who shot at the Governor of Bengal, and Kamla Das

Gupta and Kalyani Das were all active within the respective revolutionary groups. Women courageously participated in violent and non-violent movements of Indian independence. The women in freedom struggle of India excelled as speakers, marchers, campaigners and tireless volunteers. They actively participated in the processions and rallies conducted by the Indian political parties. They always fought for Hindu-Muslim unity. The contribution of women in freedom struggle of India is truly remarkable and is difficult to define in words.

Role of Mahatma Gandhi in Freedom Struggle

Mahatma Gandhi played an essential role in spearheading the movement for Indian independence. His peaceful and non-violent techniques formed the basis of freedom struggle. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2nd, 1869. After he came back to India from South Africa, where he worked as a barrister, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, who led the congress party, introduced Gandhi to the concerns in India and the struggle of the people. The Indian independence movement came to a head between the years 1918 and 1922. A series of nonviolence campaigns of Civil Disobedience Movement were launched by the Indian National Congress under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. The focus was on weakening the British government by removing support. The protests were mainly against abolition of salt tax abolition, land revenue, reducing military expenses etc. Champaran and Kheda Satyagraha: The Kheda Satyagraha and Champaran agitation in 1918 was one of Gandhi`s first significant steps to achieve Indian independence. He went to Champaran (Bihar) in 1917 at the request of the poor peasants to enquire about the situation as they were compelled by British indigo planters to grow indigo on 15 percent of their land and part with the whole crop for rent. In the sufferings of a devastating famine, the British levied an oppressive tax which they insisted on increasing. At the same time, Kheda in Gujarat was also experiencing the same problem. Hence, Mahatma Gandhi started reforming the villages, building of schools, clean-up of villages, construction of hospitals and encouraging the village leadership to denounce many social tribulations. The British police arrested him on the charge of creating unrest. However, the impact of reformation changed after this act and hundreds of people protested and rallied outside the police stations and courts. They demanded his release, which the court unwillingly granted. Gandhi led planned protests against all the landlords, who were exploiting the poor farmers. Finally Mahatma Gandhi became successful in forcing the British to agree with his demands of reforming the farmers. During this agitation people addressed Gandhi as `Bapu`. Rabindranath Tagore accorded `Mahatma` (Great Soul) title to Gandhi in the year 1920.

Non Cooperation Movement: The Gandhi Era in the Indian Freedom Struggle took place with the Non Cooperation Movement. This movement was led by Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress. This was the first-ever series of nationwide movement of non-violent resistance. The movement took place from September 1920 until February 1922. In the fight against injustice, Gandhi`s weapons were non-cooperation and peaceful resistance. But after the massacre and related violence, Gandhiji focused his mind upon obtaining complete self-government. This soon transformed into `Swaraj` or complete political independence. Thus, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, the Congress Party was re-organised with a new constitution, with the aim of Swaraj. Mahatma Gandhi further extended his non-violence policy to include the `swadeshi policy` which meant the rejection of foreign-made goods. He addressed all the Indians to wear khadi (homespun cloth) instead of British-made textiles. Gandhi appealed strongly to all Indians to some spend time spinning khadi for supporting the independence movement of India. This was a policy to include women in the movement, as this was not considered a respectable activity. Moreover, Gandhi also urged to boycott the British educational institutions, to resign from government jobs, and to leave British titles. Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore resigned the title knight from the British soon after the Jalianwalabagh Massacre as a protest. When the movement reached great success, it ended unexpectedly after the violent clash in Chauri Chaura, Uttar Pradesh. Following this, Mahatma Gandhi was also arrested and sentenced to six years imprisonment. Indian National Congress divided into two segments. Furthermore, support among the Hindu and Muslim people was also breaking down. However, Gandhi only served around two years and was released. Dandi March and Salt Satyagraha: He returned to the forefront again in 1928. On March 12, 1930 Gandhiji launched a new Satyagraha against the tax on salt. He started the historic Dandi March, by walking from Ahmedabad to Dandi, to break the law that had deprived the poor of his right to make his own salt. Mahatma Gandhi broke the Salt law at the sea beach at Dandi. This movement stimulated the entire nation and it came to be known as Civil Disobedience Movement. On 8th May, 1933 Gandhi started a 21-day fast of self-purification in order to help the Harijan movement. Quit India Movement: Gandhi again became active in the political arena after the outburst of Second World War in 1939. On August 8, 1942 Gandhi gave the call for Quit India Movement or `Bharat Chhodo Andolan`. Soon after the arrest of Gandhi, disorders broke out immediately throughout the country and many violent demonstrations took place. Quit India became the most powerful movement in the freedom struggle. Thousands of freedom fighters were killed or injured by police gunfire, and hundreds of thousands were arrested. He called on all Congressmen and Indians to maintain discipline via non violence and Karo Ya Maro (Do or Die) in order to achieve ultimate freedom. On 9th of August, 1942 Gandhi and the entire Congress Working Committee were arrested in Mumbai. In view of his deteriorating health he was released from the jail in May 1944 because the British did not want him to die in prison and enrage the nation. The cruel restraint of the Quit India movement brought order to India by the end of 1943 although the movement had modest success in its aim. After the British gave clear signs of transferring power to the Indians, Gandhi called off the fight and all the prisoners were released. Partition and freedom of India: In 1946, upon persuasion of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Gandhi reluctantly accepted the proposal of partition and independence offered by the British cabinet, in order to evade a civil war. After

independence, Gandhi`s focus shifted to peace and communal harmony. He fasted for abolition of communal violence and demanded that the Partition Council compensated Pakistan. His demands were fulfilled and he broke his fast. Thus, it was Mahatma Gandhi who was able to bring the entire nation under one umbrella to fight the British. The inspiring life of Mahatma Gandhi came to an end when he was shot on January 30th, 1948 by Nathuram Godse.

The Gandhian Era represented a special time in Indian history when Gandhi was preaching for freedom and all of India was behind him in support. In 1919 the British government passed an Act call the Rowlatt Act. This act allowed people to be imprisoned without a trial or conviction in a court of law. This act was strongly protested against by all the Indian people and as a result it broke into a huge massacre in Jallianwala Bagh. The main reason for this protest was to terrorize the people. Later on in 1920 Gandhi set up and let set up what was known as the non-cooperation movement. This started out when Indians decided they didn't like the way British made them say "sir" as an honorary title. As a result of this boycotts broke out again legislation, elections and anything relating to the government. Indians began to burn the clothes of the British and soon khadi became a symbol for their freedom. This movement was an overall success. But unfortunately ended sadly in February of 1922 when a violent attack broke out and Gandhi called the whole movement off. Soon after that Gandhi was put in jail. Later on during this Era in 1929, the Simon Commission was form. The purpose was to see if there were any other changes that needed to be made to the government in 1919. But because all the members in this commission were all English the whole thing didn't last and congress decided to boycott it that same year that it started. In 1929, under Jawaharlal Nehru as president congress started a resolution known as Poorna Swaraj, which means complete Independence. And on January 26 1930 India declared that day as their Independence Day, which would be celebrated every year from then on. After this day many changes occurred for example, all of India got together and together they boycotted foreign goods and refused to pay the taxes to Britain. This whole time period was a very emotional one for India, it was a day that they would all remember. And this was what ended the Gandhian Era. This Era was named after Gandhi simple because he was a main part in the long struggle for India to gain back its independence from the British. He fought for what he believed in and what was right no matter what the consequences would be. He was a strong influence in India and will be remembered not only by the Indian people themselves but by everyone around the world because of his heroic accomplishments.

operation ement

ivil edience ement

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born in Porbandar, Gujarat. Having completed his education as a law student, he revolted against the discriminating policies of the government in Africa. After coming to India, he joined the Indian National Congress and led the freedom struggle till the Independence. The Background Mahatma Gandhi had successfully launched the Satyagrah or ?nonviolent civil resistance? against the racial policies of the government in South Africa. He arrived in India in January 1915. The advent of Gandhiji provided a strong leadership and unity. He introduced an ideal and constructive programme to the nationalist movement in India. His entry resulted in far reaching changes in the Indian political scene, such as the re-entry of the extremists in the Congress, Hindu-Muslim unity leading to the Lucknow pact, etc. The extremists left the Congress in 1907. The main leaders of the Extremists were absent from the political scene for some time. Gopal Krishna Gokhale died and Lokamanya Tilak was in the jail after six years. Tilak and Annie Besant were also the main force

introduced but was greatly restricted. Tilak described it as extremely ?disappointing and unsatisfactory?. Gandhiji arrived in Indian politics during this time. He successfully used his weapon Satyagrah. He was against the system of recruiting Indian labourers for the British colonies. He revolted against the oppressions of the indigo planters in Champaran in Bihar in 1917. He also undertook a Satyagrah campaign in Kheda (Gujarat) against the revenue policies of the British government. He organized the Ahmedabad mill workers? strike in 1918 for higher wages. The Rowlett Act was rushed through the Imperial Legislative Council between February 6 and March 18,1919. The British government through these two bills wanted to impose wartime restriction on civil liberties on a permanent basis. Further, it provided for a system of special court and detention without trial. These bills were known as Black Acts. In spite of Gandhiji?s warning to launch Satyagrah, those bills were passed as the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act of 1919. Gandhiji organized Satyagrah Sabha to start passive resistance movement against the bills. Gandhiji, as the President of Satyagrah Sabha,

owards edom

behind the Lucknow pact. The session regarding the agreement between The Indian National Congress and the Muslim League in 1916 is known as the Lucknow Pact. A joint scheme for constitutional reforms was formulated .The Muslim League offered co-operation to the Congress on account of England?s fight against Muslims of Turkey in the First World War and The partition of Bengal in 1911. The Congress, in turn, accepted the communal representation and separate electorate. Tilak played an important role in bringing the Congress and the league together, because he realized that Swaraj could be achieved only through Hindu-Muslim unity. Mrs. Annie Besant was elected president of the Congress session held at Bombay in 1917. The liberals boycotted the session when they realised that it was dominated by the extremists, who formed another Party, The Liberal Federation. This party was established under the leadership of Surendrnath Banerjee. The Government introduced Montague-Chelmsford Reforms in 1919. The main feature of these reforms was the introduction of Diarchy, a kind of double government in the provinces. A separate electorate was also
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declared 6th April 919, as ?the day of mourning? and Hartal, followed by civil disobedience. On April 13, General Dyer attacked a peaceful unarmed crowd, consisting in large part of villagers without the slightest provocation. This incident took place in an enclosed ground known as the Jallianwala Baug at Amritsar. Almost 1,000 people were dead and several thousands were wounded. The Jallianwala Baug massacre was followed by great repression in Punjab. The British government appointed an official committee of enquiry headed by Lord Hunter to enquire into the Punjab incidents. This Hunter Commission was boycotted by the Congress. A special session of the Congress was called at Calcutta in September 1920. It approved the resolution of Non-cooperation involving surrender of titles, boycott of government functions, boycott of governmentaided institutions, and boycott of law courts. The next session of the Congress at Nagpur revolutionized the structure of the Congress. It became an instrument of ?political socialization?. It took up constructive work, like Khadi, removal of untouchability, prohibition of liquor and national education. Thus, a secular organization decided to fight the British imperialism under Gandhiji?s leadership.

Mahatma Gandhi - Father of The Nation

The period from 1920 to 1947 had been described as the Gandhian Era in Indian Politics. During the period, Gandhi spoke the final word on behalf of the Indian National Congress in negotiating with the British Government for constitutional reforms, and for chalking out a program for the national movement. Mahatma Gandhi led the national freedom struggle against the British rule. The most unique thing about this struggle was that it was completely non-violent. Mohan Das Karamchand Gandhi was born on 2nd October, 1869 at Porbander in Gujarat. After finishing his early education in India, he sailed to England in 1891 and qualified as Barrister. In 1894, Gandhi went to South Africa in connection with a law suit. The political career of Gandhi started in South Africa where he launched a Civil Disobedience Movement against the maltreatment meted out to Asian settlers. In 1916, he returned to India and took up the leadership of National Freedom Struggle. After the death of freedom fighter and congress leader Bal Gangadhar Tilak on August, 1920, Gandhi became virtually the sole navigator of the ship of the congress. Gandhi had whole heartedly supported the British during the 1st World War (1914-1919). The end of war, however, did not bring the promised freedom for India. So Gandhiji launched many movements to force the British to concede India its Independence. The well known

being: Non Co-operation Movement (1920), Civil Disobedience Movement (1930) and Quit India Movement (1942). The British passed the Rowlett Act in 1919 to deal with the revolutionaries. Gandhi made the Rowlett Act an issue and appealed to the people to observe peaceful demonstration on April 6, 1919. Gandhi's call for peaceful demonstration met with tremendous response. It led to mass demonstrations in Punjab and Delhi. The Jallianwala Massacre (1919) was a sequel of this agitation. The Indian people were shocked by the way the British conducted themselves. Gandhi them launched a non-co operation in 1920 against the British rule. On 12th March 1930, Gandhi started his Civil Disobedience with his famous 'Dandi March' to break the salt laws. Many leaders and persons courted arrest. Then followed the Gandhi-Irwin Pact for the participation of the congress in the Second Round Table Conference in 1931. On March 1942, Sir Stafford Cripps came to India with his proposals which were rejected by all political parties. The failure of the Cripps Mission led to unprecedented disturbances. Disillusioned and disappointed, the congress passed at Bombay the Quit India Resolution (August 8, 1942). The British were asked to leave India forthwith. The moving spirit behind the resolution was Gandhiji. The Quit India Movement was the greatest challenge to the British empire. Gandhi was a great leader, a saint and a great social reformer. He was pious, truthful and religious. He believed in simple living and high thinking. Every body who came in contact with him were so deeply influenced by his personality. He was a Champion of democracy and was deadly opposed to dictatorial rule. Gandhi showed India and the World the path of truth and non-violence. He believed that it was truth alone that prevailed in the end. Gandhi believed that real India lived in more than five lakh villages uplift. According to him India's real emancipation depended on Swadeshi i.e. boycott of foreign goods, use of khadi encouragement to village and cottage industries. Gandhi began to work day and night for the freedom of his country. He and his brave followers went to jail again and again, and suffered terrible hardships. Thousands of them were starved, beaten, ill treated and killed, but they remained true to their master. At last his noble efforts bore fruit and on August 15,1947, India became free and independent. Gandhi defeated the mighty British empire not with swords or guns , but by means of strange and utterly new weapons of truth and Ahimsa. He worked all through his life for Hindu- Muslim Unity and the abolition of untouchability. Gandhi worked hard for the upliftment of the Harijans, the name given by him to the untouchables. Gandhi declared untouchability a sin against God and Man.

Gandhi wrote his famous autobiography under the title 'My Experiments with Truth'. Gandhi always stood for communal harmony, but he himself was shot dead by a religious fanatic Nathuram Godse on 30th January, 1948. The whole World mourned his death. Concluding Remarks: Some one had quipped: "If they had not thrown Gandhi out of the train in South Africa, the English would not have too much trouble from him." Gandhi, the young Attorney, vowed to oppose such unfair treatment- through non-co operation and other non-violent means. Gandhi's ultimate search was for righteous conduct. The means are more important than the end, he maintained; with the right means, desired ends will follow. In time, he was proven right- almost always. His struggles and actions were but external manifestations of his struggle to evolve his own value system. Mahatma Gandhi better known as the father of Nation because it was he who got freedom for us. He was the maker of Modern India.

Mahatma Gandhi - Father of The Nation

The period from 1920 to 1947 had been described as the Gandhian Era in Indian Politics. During the period, Gandhi spoke the final word on behalf of the Indian National Congress in negotiating with the British Government for constitutional reforms, and for chalking out a program for the national movement. Mahatma Gandhi led the national freedom struggle against the British rule. The most unique thing about this struggle was that it was completely non-violent. The political career of Gandhi started in South Africa where he launched a Civil Disobedience Movement against the maltreatment meted out to Asian settlers. In 1916, he returned to India and took up the leadership of National Freedom Struggle. He revolted against the oppressions of the indigo planters in Champaran in Bihar in 1917. He also undertook a Satyagrah campaign in Kheda (Gujarat) against the revenue policies of the British government. He organized the Ahmedabad mill workers strike in 1918 for higher wages. The British passed the Rowlett Act in 1919 to deal with the revolutionaries. Gandhi made the Rowlett Act an issue and appealed to the people to observe peaceful demonstration on April 6, 1919. Gandhi's call for peaceful demonstration met with tremendous response. It led to mass demonstrations in Punjab and Delhi. The Jallianwalabagh Massacre (1919) was a sequel of this agitation. The Indian people were shocked by the way the British conducted themselves. Gandhi them launched a non-co operation in 1920

against the British rule. On 12th March 1930, Gandhi started his Civil Disobedience with his famous 'Dandi March' to break the salt laws. Many leaders and persons courted arrest. Then followed the Gandhi-Irwin Pact for the participation of the congress in the Second Round Table Conference in 1931. On March 1942, Sir Stafford Cripps came to India with his proposals which were rejected by all political parties. The failure of the Cripps Mission led to unprecedented disturbances. Disillusioned and disappointed, the congress passed at Bombay the Quit India Resolution (August 8, 1942). The British were asked to leave India forthwith. The moving spirit behind the resolution was Gandhiji. The Quit India Movement was the greatest challenge to the British empire. Gandhi was a great leader, a saint and a great social reformer. He was pious, truthful and religious. He was a Champion of democracy and was deadly opposed to dictatorial rule. Gandhi showed India and the World the path of truth and non-violence.He popularized Charkha and Khadi. Gandhi believed that real India lived in more than five lakh villages uplift. According to him India's real emancipation depended on Swadeshi i.e. boycott of foreign goods, use of khadi encouragement to village and cottage industries. He worked all through his life for Hindu- Muslim Unity and the abolition of untouchability. Gandhi worked hard for the upliftment of the Harijans, the name given by him to the untouchables At last his noble efforts bore fruit and on August 15, 1947, India became free and independent. Gandhi defeated the mighty British Empire not with swords or guns, but by means of strange and utterly new weapons of truth and Ahimsa