4.10 - Arrival of Mahatma Gandhi (1915–1917)
Enroll to start learning
You’ve not yet enrolled in this course. Please enroll for free to listen to audio lessons, classroom podcasts and take practice test.
Interactive Audio Lesson
Listen to a student-teacher conversation explaining the topic in a relatable way.
Return to India
🔒 Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in 1915, where he had successfully led non-violent protests. Student_1, can you think of why his return was significant for India?
He brought back ideas like Satyagraha, which could help in resisting British rule without violence.
Exactly! Gandhi's approach emphasized peaceful resistance as a powerful method for social and political change.
What does Satyagraha actually mean?
Great question! Satyagraha translates to 'truth force' or 'soul force' and embodies the notion of seeking truth through non-violent means.
Champaran Satyagraha
🔒 Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
In 1917, Gandhi led the Champaran Satyagraha in Bihar. Student_3, do you know what prompted this movement?
It was related to the unfair treatment of farmers, right?
That's correct! The farmers were forced to grow indigo under exploitative terms. Gandhi mobilized them, encouraging peaceful protests against this injustice.
Did this movement succeed in changing anything for the farmers?
Yes! The movement led to the redressal of many grievances of the farmers, showcasing the effectiveness of Satyagraha. It marked a pivotal moment in India's struggle for independence.
Ahmedabad Mill Strike
🔒 Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
Following Champaran, Gandhi was involved in the Ahmedabad Mill Strike in 1918. Student_1, what was the main issue at stake?
The mill workers were demanding higher wages and better working conditions.
Exactly! Gandhi's intervention helped to mediate between workers and mill owners, emphasizing that fair treatment of labor is essential for a just society.
So he was not just fighting against British rule, but also for workers' rights?
Precisely! This approach helped him gain respect among a broader audience, extending beyond just political protest.
Kheda Satyagraha
🔒 Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
Late in 1918, Gandhi spearheaded the Kheda Satyagraha. Can anyone tell me the key points of this movement?
It was about the farmers suffering due to a famine and still being forced to pay taxes.
Correct! This was a critical moment where Gandhi's concept of non-violence and civil disobedience shone through as the farmers united for their rights.
How did the government respond?
The government had to eventually concede due to the overwhelming amount of public support for the farmers, showing the power of collective effort.
Introduction & Overview
Read summaries of the section's main ideas at different levels of detail.
Quick Overview
Standard
Mahatma Gandhi arrived in India from South Africa in 1915, where he had developed his philosophy of non-violent resistance, termed Satyagraha. This period marks the beginning of Gandhi's influence on the Indian National Movement, including notable early events like the Champaran Satyagraha and the Ahmedabad Mill Strike in 1917 and 1918, respectively.
Detailed
In 1915, Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa, where he had pioneered the techniques of civil disobedience and non-violent protest under the framework of Satyagraha. Upon his arrival, he quickly became a prominent figure in the Indian National Movement, advocating for peaceful resistance against the British colonial rule. During the years 1917 to 1918, he conducted several significant movements, including the Champaran Satyagraha, where he mobilized support against oppressive oppressive practices affecting farmers in Bihar, the Ahmedabad Mill Strike advocating for workers' rights, and the Kheda Satyagraha focusing on the plight of farmers affected by famine. These early efforts not only mobilized a large section of Indian society but also established Gandhi’s reputation as a key leader in the fight for India’s independence.
Youtube Videos
Audio Book
Dive deep into the subject with an immersive audiobook experience.
Return from South Africa
Chapter 1 of 3
🔒 Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
● Returned from South Africa in 1915
Detailed Explanation
Mahatma Gandhi arrived back in India in the year 1915 after spending many years in South Africa. During his time there, he developed his philosophy of Satyagraha, which emphasizes non-violent resistance against oppression. His experiences in South Africa shaped his understanding of racial injustice and community organization, which he would later apply in India.
Examples & Analogies
Think of Gandhi's return like a scientist coming back from a successful research expedition. He had gathered invaluable data and experiences that he was now ready to share and implement in India, hoping to solve the country’s own struggles against British rule.
Advocating Satyagraha
Chapter 2 of 3
🔒 Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
● Advocated Satyagraha and non-violent resistance
Detailed Explanation
Upon his return, Gandhi promoted Satyagraha, a method of non-violent protest that he believed was a powerful tool for social and political change. Satyagraha involves calmly asserting one's rights and addressing injustice without resorting to violence. By adopting this method, Gandhi differed from many other leaders who believed in more aggressive tactics.
Examples & Analogies
Consider Satyagraha like a peaceful protest in which people hold hands and sing to express their disagreement against a wrongful act. Instead of shouting or throwing stones, they choose to show strength through unity and peace, making it difficult for the oppressor to ignore their message.
Early Movements
Chapter 3 of 3
🔒 Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
● His early movements (1917 onwards) include:
○ Champaran Satyagraha (1917)
○ Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918)
○ Kheda Satyagraha (1918)
Detailed Explanation
Gandhi's early movements in India included three significant events. The Champaran Satyagraha in 1917 addressed the grievances of peasants forced to grow indigo under oppressive conditions. The Ahmedabad Mill Strike in 1918 concerned workers demanding better wages. The Kheda Satyagraha, also in 1918, focused on farmers unable to pay taxes due to drought and crop failure. These movements exemplified Gandhi's strategy of mobilizing ordinary people against injustices.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine a town where people are being unfairly treated by a factory owner who refuses to improve conditions. Just like neighbors coming together to support one another, Gandhi organized local peasants and workers, making a collective stand to demand fairness, demonstrating how community action can directly address and overcome injustice.
Key Concepts
-
Mahatma Gandhi: Indian leader who promoted non-violent resistance.
-
Satyagraha: A method of nonviolent protest to achieve political and social change.
-
Champaran Satyagraha: Gandhi's first significant movement in India, fighting for indigo farmers' rights.
-
Ahmedabad Mill Strike: A workers' strike advocating for fair wages led by Gandhi.
-
Kheda Satyagraha: A protest against tax collection during a famine, uniting farmers for their rights.
Examples & Applications
In 1917, Gandhi led the Champaran Satyagraha to address the grievances of indigo farmers who were being exploited.
The Ahmedabad Mill Strike in 1918 sought to improve working conditions for mill laborers and involved Gandhi's strategies of negotiation.
Memory Aids
Interactive tools to help you remember key concepts
Rhymes
Satyagraha is sweet, it can't be beat; non-violence we shall greet, justice we’ll repeat.
Stories
Gandhi returned to India, welcomed by the cries of farmers seeking justice. He listened to their struggles and inspired them to unite peacefully for their rights, leading movements that changed society.
Memory Tools
GANDHI - G for Gandhi, A for Arrival, N for Non-violence, D for Development of movements, H for Human rights, I for Indian unity.
Acronyms
SAK - Satyagraha, Ahmedabad Mill Strike, Kheda Satyagraha.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Satyagraha
A philosophy of non-violent resistance developed by Mahatma Gandhi to bring about social or political change.
- Champaran Satyagraha
Gandhi's first active resistance movement in India in 1917, focused on the exploitation of indigo farmers in Bihar.
- Ahmedabad Mill Strike
A strike led by Gandhi in 1918, where mill workers demanded better wages and working conditions.
- Kheda Satyagraha
A movement in 1918 where farmers in Kheda, Gujarat protested against tax collection during a famine.
Reference links
Supplementary resources to enhance your learning experience.