Detailed Summary
This section delves into Mahatma Gandhi's approach to transform the Indian nationalist struggle into a mass movement from 1915 to 1948, particularly through the Non-Cooperation and Khilafat Movements.
Gandhi sought to link these two movements in an effort to create a united front against colonial rule by integrating both Hindu and Muslim communities in India. He believed that by combining the efforts of both communities, they could effectively end British colonial dominance. This fusion generated significant popular involvement, with students boycotting educational institutions, lawyers refusing to attend courthouses, and the working class initiating widespread strikes.
The acts of civil disobedience encountered varying responses from different social strata—rural peasants protested against oppressive tax regimes while urban laborers engaged in strikes that crippled industrial productivity. Gandhi's leadership was characterized by an emphasis on non-violent protest and a commitment to real issues impacting the lives of common people. He also participated in communal activities like spinning khadi, which symbolized self-reliance, and dressed simply to connect with the masses.
However, an unexpected turn of events occurred with the violence during the Chauri Chaura incident, which compelled Gandhi to suspend the movement. Nonetheless, the mass mobilization marked a turning point in the Indian Nationalist Movement, emphasizing that Gandhian nationalism was no longer just a movement of the educated elite, but rather a collective of diverse social groups. Ultimately, Gandhi’s initiatives underscored the importance of making nationalism representative of all strata of Indian society.