The Growth of Mass Nationalism
In the wake of World War I, widespread dissatisfaction with British rule fostered the growth of mass nationalism in India. With soaring prices and increased taxes following the war, the common populace faced immense hardship. This discontent provided fertile ground for political movements and the rise of influential leaders.
Mahatma Gandhi emerged as a pivotal figure during this period. Returning to India in 1915 after significant activism in South Africa, he quickly grasped the diverse needs of Indian society. His philosophy of non-violence, or Ahimsa, became a cornerstone of the Indian struggle for independence. One landmark event was the Rowlatt Act of 1919, which restricted civil liberties and fueled public outrage. Gandhi initiates a nationwide campaign against this oppressive legislation, calling for non-violent protests.
Student participation surged in movements such as the Non-Cooperation Movement, which Gandhi launched in 1920 in response to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the Khilafat movement, aimed at supporting the Khalifa against British authority. This movement saw wide participation, with many Indians boycotting British goods and institutions, and led to a significant rise in nationalist sentiment across various societal sections, including women and peasants.
In 1930, Gandhi's Salt March became symbolic of civil disobedience against unjust laws. Marching 240 miles to the sea to produce salt, Gandhi protested the monopoly enforced by the British on this essential commodity. This event galvanized mass participation and highlighted the unity of different societal groups, emphasizing self-reliance and independence from colonial rule.
The growing engagement of diverse segments of society, from urban workers to rural peasants, marked the transition of the independence movement into a national struggle, advocating for collective rights and freedoms. By the late 1930s and finally culminating in the Quit India Movement of 1942, the collective efforts against colonialism underscored the shift towards mass nationalism, leading ultimately to independence.