Indian Independence
The Crusade of
Mahatma Gandhi
Introduction

Unlike many of the great figures of the 20th
century. Mahatma Gandhi never held high
office. Yet his power to control the actions of
millions was immense. He believed
passionately in the injustice of British colonial
rule in India. But he believed equally firmly
that Indian independence had to be gained
by non-violent means.
Violence

'I object to violence because when it appears
to do good, the good is only temporary: the
evil is permanent.'
Background

Gandhi's 20s and 30s were spent working as a
barrister in South Africa, where he fought 'nonviolently' against racial prejudice. At 45. he returned
to India. Believing that Britain's power over India was
symbolised by the huge imports of British cloth, he
refused to wear bought clothing. He spent part of
every day spinning and wove simple cloth called
khadi. Both the khadi and the spinning wheel
became, to Gandhi's followers, symbols of Indian
self-sufficiency and independence. The spinning
wheel was later used in the design of the Indian flag
Actions & Reactions: 1919 Hartal

The First World War
saw hundreds of
thousands of Indians
fight for Britain. In
return for this service
Indians hoped for a
greater say in running
their own affairs. This
was not to be. Britain
actually increased the
restrictions in 1919.

Gandhi felt betrayed by
Britain's action. He
called a general strike throughout India for one
day. On the day, 300
million people brought
India to a standstill by
praying and fasting.
Against Gandhi's
wishes, violence broke
out in some areas.
British Reaction: 1919 Amritsar
massacre

British fears of a general revolt in the Punjab led to
arrests of Indian politicians in Amritsar, one of the
main cities in northern India. Indians protested and
the authorities called for army reinforcements, led by
General Dyer. Dyer ordered his men to open fire on
a large crowd of unarmed Indians attending a
meeting in the city. No warning was given, and 10
minutes continuous fire left 379 dead and 1200
wounded. Dyer said ‘My idea….was to make a wide
impression throughout the Punjab. It was a merciful
act, though a horrible act and they ought to be
thankful to me for doing it’.
Following the massacre….


Dyer set up a series of punishments for the Indians.
These included the ‘crawling order’, whereby Indians
wishing to use a particular street in Amritsar were
forced to crawl on their hands and knees as a mark
of respect for the British.
The Amritsar Massacre was a turning point. After it,
Gandhi became the leader of the Indian nationalists
in the Indian Congress party. He resolved to work
towards Indian independence by a series of major
campaigns against the British.
Gandhi’s Action: 1920 Non-cooperation



Gandhi's first campaign was based on 'non-co-operation'. It took many
forms. He called for British imported goods. Especially cloth to be
boycotted. Peasants were to refuse to pay their taxes. For months
Gandhi toured the country, explaining the purpose of his ideas, which
he claimed would bring home rule within 12 months. Everywhere he
went he encouraged supporters to burn foreign clothing and to spin
and weave each day.
In 1921 the nationalist Congress Party agreed to Gandhi's request for
a national non-violent campaign of civil disobedience.
But, in spite of Gandhi's wishes, violence broke out in several places.
Gandhi was appalled. He went on a five-day fast and called off the
campaign. India. he concluded, was not yet ready for independence
through non-violent action.
British Reaction 1922





As time passed they realized the threat that Gandhi posed. In March
1922 Gandhi was arrested and charged with sedition ( encouraging
others to disobey the law).
The case against Gandhi was clear cut. He himself had written about
non-co-operation and the law.
Non-co-operation aims at the overthrow of the government and is
legally seditious (Gandhi, Young India 1922 )
Gandhi pleaded guilty. The trial gave Gandhi the opportunity to
publicise his views.
In sentencing Gandhi, the judge admitted that he was a special case.
Nevertheless, Gandhi was sentenced to six years prison! He did not
serve the whole sentence. After two years he fell ill with appendicitis –
was operated upon- and was later released. The British did not wish
Gandhi to die while he was in prison.
Gandhi’s action: Civil disobedience
1930


I hold the British rule in India to be a curse. It has impoverished
millions by a system of exploitation and by ruinously expensive
military and civil administration. Gandhi 1930
His first act was to march with thousands of followers 400km to
the coast, where he picked up salt on the seashore. The heat
of India’s climate makes taking salt a necessity of life. Yet,
despite India being almost surrounded by salt water the Indian’s
had no control over salt production. The British had total
control and everybody rich or poor had to pay a tax on it. By
this simple act on the sea shore Gandhi was breaking the law –
he was avoiding the payment of salt tax. Gandhi’s act was a
signal for other Indians to make their own salt and break the
law.
Britain’s Reaction


Indians staged acts of non-violent protest around the country. At
Dharasana salt depot, they tried to get into the factory to protest
about all salt production being in government hands. The British
were forced to act. During the next few months over 60,000
Indians were imprisoned. Gandhi was amongst them, and this
time there was no trial.
Yet the civil disobedience campaign was successful. Many
people in both Britain and India began to realize that Britain
could not hold India by force. Many people were shocked at
Britain's heavy-handed response to the non-violent protest. The
publicity harmed Britain's image and reputation as a humane
world power. Some British politicians began to think in terms of
Indian self-government. Indians now began to believe that one
day they could win their independence.
Conference & next action



Gandhi was released from prison and invited to a series of
meetings with the Viceroy. He was then invited to attend a
conference in 1931 in London. The conference itself was a
failure for India – independence was still not promised. Gandhi
predicted as much before he sailed for Britain.
GANDHI’S ACTION- BRITAIN 1931:
While In Britain Gandhi traveled north to Lancashire to meet
cotton mill workers. His campaign to boycott imported cloth
meant many Lancashire workers had most their jobs. They
nevertheless greeted him with affection.
British Reaction


Gandhi returned to India as a hero. But to the British
he remained a dangerous enemy. Eventually in
1932 he was arrested and imprisoned again –
without trial – along with 30,000 followers.
While in prison Gandhi learned of a British plan to
divide up India’s voters on the basis of religion. He
announced his decision to fast to death unless the
British withdrew the plan.
British Reaction

Gandhi was now 60. The British feared the
consequences if Gandhi were to die as a
martyr in prison, and so dropped their plans.
Event – 2WW

Gandhi resisted temptation to press hard for
independence when Britain was at its most
vulnerable. In return for active Indian
support in the war, Britain promised India
internal self-government as soon as the war
ended – but not full independence. Churchill
wanted to keep the Empire together.
GANDHI’S ACTION: QUIT INDIA! 1942


Gandhi objected to Britain’s ideas for selfgovernment because they allowed individual
religious groups to work separate deals with
Britain. Gandhi saw his vision of ‘one India’
being ruined by the desire of some Indian
Muslims to create their own separate state.
In July 1942 Gandhi drew up a ‘Quit India’
plan. In it the Congress Party declared that
‘British rule must cease immediately’.
BRITISH REACTION:



Britain had no intention of quitting India.
Swiftly, Gandhi and other Congress Party
leaders were arrested.
EVENTS:VIOLENCE
Violence broke out all over India. Symbols of
British rule, like post offices, railway stations
and government offices were attacked.
Murders and lootings began.
More Action & Reaction




GANDHI’s ACTION:
For once, Gandhi still in goal, was unable to stop the
violence. He tried, by staging a 21 day fast, but with
no success.
BRITISH REACTION:
They blamed Gandhi for the disorder. They now
seemed willing to let him die in prison. Eventually in
1944, aged 75, he was released on doctor’s advice.
Gandhi’s Action

He immediately set about trying to unite the
Hindu and Muslim leaders in demanding one
India. But Mohammed Jinnah, leader of the
Muslim League, wished to see a separate
Muslim country as part of an agreement with
the British. Gandhi was unable to unite the
two sides.
EVENT: DIRECT ACTION 1946


In August 1946 Jinnah called all Muslims to take
‘direct action’ to demand an independent Muslim
state, to be called Pakistan. Violence erupted –
Muslims killed Hindus and vice versa. In one day
alone 5000 people died in Calcutta. India was in a
state of civil war.
Still the violence continued. In Feb 1947 the British
government announced that it would give up the
government of India by June 1948. The Viceroy –
Lord Mountbatten arrived – he consulted regularly
with Gandhi, Jinnah and Nehru ( leader of Congress
party).
EVENTS:PARTITION


Rather than risk full civil war Gandhi and Nehru accepted
Jinnah’s demands. India would be split – portioned- to create a
Muslim Pakistan separate from the predominately Hindu India.
The partition was no simple matter – states such as Bengal and
Punjab which had large numbers of Hindu’s and Muslims had to
somehow be divided.
Following independence, violence broke out once again, as
large numbers of Muslims realized they were going to be under
Hindu rule, or Hindu’s under Muslim rule. Millions of refugees
fled from one country to an other. Half a million people were
killed in religious hatred.
Gandhi’s Action



Once again Gandhi announced he would fast. He would not
stop until it was safe for Muslims to walk the streets of Delhi.
The violence in Delhi did subside. But by supporting the rights
of Muslims Gandhi put his own life in danger. Fanatical Hindu’s
plotted to kill him.
EVENT:ASSASSINATION
On the 30th January 1948 Gandhi walked through a large
crowd which had gathered to hear him. In the crowd was a
young assassin. As Gandhi approached, the young man
bowed, then fired. Gandhi fell and died.