The Advent of Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi, a pivotal figure in the Indian independence movement, returned to India in 1915 after successfully leading non-violent protests in South Africa. His early activities included traveling across India, understanding the people's struggles, and addressing local grievances in Champaran and Kheda.
In 1919, he launched the Rowlatt Satyagraha against the Draconian Rowlatt Act, which limited civil liberties. This movement highlighted his philosophy of Satyagraha, emphasizing non-violent resistance to oppression. The atrocities committed during this period, notably the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, intensified Indian discontent towards British rule. To further unite Indians, he supported the Khilafat Movement, collaborating with Muslim leaders to oppose British actions against the Ottoman Empire.
The Non-Cooperation Movement followed in 1920, where Gandhi urged the Indian populace to boycott British institutions. Mass involvement, including the participation of students and peasants, showcased Gandhi’s power to mobilize diverse communities against colonial rule.
Gandhi’s methods not only galvanized national sentiment but also established him as the ‘Mahatma’—a figure representing the hope and aspiration of the Indian populace for independence from British rule.