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 'non violently' 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 self-government 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.