RESEARCH QUESTIONS

What were the reasons behind the

starting of the Non-Cooperation

movement?

Why the movement failed?

How the non cooperation movement

helped India attaining independence?

INTRODUCTIONA new chapter in the history of India’s struggle for independence was opened with the non-cooperation movement in 1920. Based on the principles

of non-violence and boycott, this movement was launched formally on August 1, 1920.

The Non-cooperation movement is said to be the first organized national movement against British rule.

Though, First - It has a lot of importance in modern Indian history.

The movement formally begun on August 1st,1920.

Gandhi promised, that if everything goes right, then India will be free within a year.

Thousands of students, lawyers, peasants, workers joined the movement.

People Boycotted Government schools, colleges, foreign cloths, Courts as a sign of protest.

But, apparently the movement became violent.

At last, It has to be withdrawn.

Failure?

CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING TO THE NON

COOPERATION MOVEMENT DISILLUSION AT THE END OF THE WW I.

(British promised autonomy – Used Indian Wealth, Manpower - Indians helped – at last, Britishnever did anything - Greatly disillusioned.)

IMPOSITION OF ROWLATT ACT.( Revolutionary activities - disturbed British officials - then governor general came up with the idea of

reform-cum-repression – A new committee formed – Sydney Rowlett - tried to put restriction uponthe Freedom of liberty – whole of the nation rose in indignation against the government, and like awild fire there was a wave of an agitation all over the country.)

JALLIANWALA BAGH INCIDENT.( 13th April, 1919 - More than 20,000 people had gathered in a protest – Single Entrance gate in protest

area - General Dyre, with 150 with his men were surrounding the place - Soon he ordered his mento fire at those protesters – Many died)

KHILAFAT MOVEMENT.( Dismissal of the Khalif- Anger among Indian Muslims against British – Gandhi apporached Ali

brothers – Unity among Hindu Muslims – The all India Khilafat Committee adopted the NonCooperation programme of Gandhiji - Appealed the Muslim community to join the movement and

urged to fight together against the British.)

Aims of the MovementSurrender of all titles and Government posts

Boycott of Government schools and colleges

Boycott of all functions of the British Government

Boycott of law courts

Boycott of all foreign articles

Formation of Nyay Panchayats

Development of small scale industries

Development of communal harmony

Use of Swadeshi articles

Establishment of national schools

End of untouchability and caste-system

Adoption of non-violence in the whole country.

Starting of the movement

The movement was launched formally on 1st August 1920.

Gandhiji, along with the Ali brothers (Khilafat leaders), undertook a nation-wide tour during which he addressed hundreds of meetings and met a large number of political workers.

In the first month itself thousands of students left schools and colleges and joined the movement and more than 800 national schools and colleges that had sprung up all over the country.

The boycott of law courts by lawyers was not as successful as the educational boycott, but it was very dramatic and spectacular. Many leading lawyers of the country, like C. R. ,Das, Motilal Nehru, M. R. Jayakar, Vallabhbhai Patel, C. Rajagopalachari etc gave up lucrative practices, and their sacrifice became a source of inspiration for many.

Volunteers would go from house to house collecting clothes made of foreign cloth, and burnt the cloths together.

In Assam, tea workers went on a strike.

There was a overall success in every part.

But... On 17 Nov,1921 Prince of Wales visited Bombay. The day

when Prince was to land on Bombay, Gandhi called a

nationwide Hartal protesting Prince’s visit. However, there

was clashes between who went to the Prince’s welcome

meeting and who came back from the Gandhiji’s meeting.

Police sacking, riot happened.

A three day long violent activity was going on all over the

Bombay

The whole sequence of event left Gandhi worried about the

future of the protest.

CHOURI-CHOURA INCIDENT

On 5 February, 1922 a violent outburst took place at Chouri Choura in the Gorakhpur district of the United Province of British India.

A large group of protesters, participating in the Non-cooperation movement, clashed with police, who opened fire.

In reprisal the demonstrators attacked and set fire to a police station, killing all of its occupants.

The event led to the deaths of three civilians and 22 or 23 policemen.

Suspension of the Movement

Gandhi viewed the Chauri Chaura tragedy as a red signal, a warning

that the atmosphere in the country was too explosive for a mass

movement.

After this incident, Gandhi himself called off the movement.

He decided to retrace his steps, to cancel the plans for civil

disobedience in Bardoli, to suspend the aggressive part of the non-

cooperation campaign, and to shift the emphases to the

‘constructive' programme of hand-spinning, communal unity,

abolition of untouchability etc.

The Indian National Congress officially called off the Non-

Cooperation Movement on February 12, 1922.

Reasons apart from Chauri Choura incident…

Though Chouri Choura incident had a major role in the suspension, but its notthe only reason.

Fall of The Caliph : After Kamal Pasha overthrew the Caliph from Turkey, thefight for the Caliph weaken and that was not a issue anymore to fight. Therewas a difference of thought between Ali Brothers and Gandhi. The Muslimsalso got divided into Khalifat supporter and Congress supporter.

Unproductive student boycott : The protracted boycott of colleges andschools by students dampened the zeal of the movement. There were noalternative built up till then. The students had no option but to join thegovernment run schools and colleges again.

Failure of the programme of Boycott : Gandhi, before the starting of themovement promised that they will get Swaraj within a year if nothing goeswrong. But, till 1922, Most of the goals were not attained.

Repressive measure taken by the British : British took repressivemeasures to stop the movement. They brutally attacked those who retaliated.With the help of the Rowlatt Act British officials arrested, killed people at theirwish. Judiciary was too well maintained by the British officials. Hence, Peoplestarted avoiding meetings, rallies in support of the movement.

Conclusion

The Non Cooperation Movement of 1920 failed to achieve its immediate goal

of establishing Swaraj in India. But this apparent failure must not blind us

about the immense impact the movement had on India and its people.

Though none of programmed fulfilled yet it was not a failed movement. The

movement had its success in many grounds.

Indian people could realise that it was through this organisation that the goal

for Swaraj could be achieved.

It united the Indian people.

The movement failed because people were not that mature for a complete

non violent movement.