NAME- MEHAK SHARMA

CLASS- BA.LLB- 2ND YEAR

ROLL NO- DYLAW22U0ALL012
SUBJECT- HISTORY
PROFESSOR- ADV. SAILEE BHOSLE

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 Gandhi and his political movements that led us to independence
from The British Raaj

OBJECTIVE

1] To know who was Mahatma Gandhi and the role he played in the freedom struggle.

2] Analyzing all the movements led by Mahatma Gandhi

RESEARCH QUESTION

1] Who was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and his role in the independence struggle?
2] What were the various movements led by Mahatma Gandhi?

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The research approach in this research paper involves a wide use of articles, journals and
books by various authors that have talked and mentioned Gandhi and his political movements
and how it built the foundation for the independence of India from The Britishers. The
approach here id a doctrinal approach because of use of various written documents.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Mahatma Gandhi, whose honorific term "Mahatma" means "Great Soul," is one of the most
well-known individuals in Indian political history. Gandhi, who was born on October 2 in
Porbandar, India, lived a life that went beyond the confines of his time and location. He
serves as a representation of bravery, commitment, and inspirational leadership for both India
and the rest of the world. Gandhi's importance as a political figure is immeasurable.
Internationally, he has always been praised for entering the world scene during a turbulent
time in India's history, leading the country through British colonial rule, and laying the way
for independence.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi played a crucial and transformative role in the Indian
independence movement. He became a preeminent figure in the independence movements,
directing and launching Indian struggles against British colonial rule through non-cooperation
and civil disobedience movements. The leadership of Mahatma Gandhi had a distinct vision
for the independence of India, which was to be attained through peaceful means. He resorted
to the usage of Satyagraha and Ahimsa to achieve his political goals. Gandhi's struggle
movements were based on the founding stones of uniting the fragmented Indian mass under a
common cause.

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His approach towards political activism was characterized by civil disobedience, nonviolence
and the unwavering commitment to truth, a set of principles collectively known as
'Satyagraha'.
Gandhi's theories and tactics have had a significant and enduring influence on the
international scene in addition to his involvement in the Indian Independence movement.
Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolence served as an inspiration for great leaders like Cesar
Chavez, Nelson Mandela, and Martin Luther King Jr. as they engaged in their own campaigns
for human rights and justice.

The Non-Cooperation movement, launched by Mahatma Gandhi in the year 1920, was one
of the most significant and influential phases of India's struggle for independence from
British colonial rule. This campaign signaled a turning point in the history of the Indian
independence movement; it encouraged peaceful mass mobilization and provided India's fight
against colonial authority a clear direction. The founding pillars of the non-cooperation
movement were Ahimsa and Satyagraha. The main goals of the non-cooperation movement
were to assert self-governance, win back Indian citizens' rights, and get the British
administration to address problems. One of the central strategies of the movement was the
boycott of British institutions. Indians were encouraged to boycott British made goods,
educational institutions, law courts and government positions. This economic and social
boycott was to demonstrate Indian self-reliance and undermine British control. The
movement was successful in establishing mass participation as the movement saw widespread
participation from all sections of the society including peasants, workers, students and even
women. It became a mass movement with the people actively engaging in acts of non-
cooperation.
The non-cooperation movement had a significant impact as it compelled the British
government to introduce certain constitutional reforms, the Montagu-Chelmsford reform was
one fine output of the movement and it also paved a way for future negotiations between the
Indian National Congress and the British governmenti.
The Dandi March, also known as the salt march, was another historic event in the Indian
independence movement led by Mahatma Gandhi. It took place in the year 1930 and was a
powerful symbol of nonviolent resistance against British colonial rule. The march was a
symbolic response to the oppressive British salt tax, which heavily burdened the citizens of
India and particularly the poor. The march covered an approximate distance of 240 miles,
starting from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad to the coastal village of Dandi in Gujarat. It
began on March 12, 1930 and concluded on April 6, 1930. It was initiated by Gandhi and 78
of his followers but in a short span of time it gained momentum and thousands of people
joined along the way.
The Dandi March was not merely a protest against the salt law but was an act of defiance
against British authority. The aim of the march was to challenge the oppressive regime in a
nonviolent manner. The choice of salt was deliberate as salt was an essential commodity in
every Indian household. The Dandi March is remembered as one of the most iconic episodes
in the history of nonviolent resistance, it showcased the power of collective action, and non-
cooperation as a potential tool for achieving social and political change.
The Civil Disobedience movement was a pivotal chapter in India's struggle for
independence, launched in the year 1930, it was a continuation of the nonviolent resistance
against the oppressive British policies5. The civil disobedience movement was born out of the
people's unhappiness with the oppressive laws, economic exploitation, and political
marginalization. It took place against the backdrop of growing discontent with British rule in

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India. Indians were urged to boycott British products and institutions as part of the
movement. The British economic hegemony over India was intended to be undermined by
this economic boycott. Utilizing locally manufactured commodities like khadi was
encouraged. Acts of non-cooperation by individuals included boycotts, non-violent protests,
and refusal to pay taxes.
However, the British authorities responded heavily, repressing and arresting thousands of
protesters including Mahatma Gandhi. The movement had a serious impact as it disrupted
British administration, led to an economic downfall and created a crisis of governance. It
further opened gateways for negotiations between the British government and the Indian
National Congress and led to the signing of the Gandhi- Irwin pact in the year 1931.

FINDINGS

Political leader Mahatma Gandhi left behind a legacy that transcends space and time. His
actions and leadership have made a lasting impression on history, influencing not just the
direction of India's independence struggle but also innumerable movements for peace, justice,
and freedom around the world. His unshakable dedication to nonviolence, which is embodied
in the Ahimsa ideals, redefined the potential of political activism.
The most important aspect of Gandhi's leadership was his capacity to mobilize large numbers
of people. People from many backgrounds, including peasants, students, women, and
workers, came together to support a common cause. It sparked widespread popular
participation, which gave rise to iconic movements.
It serves as a constant reminder as we consider Gandhi's life and leadership that his lasting
influence extends beyond historical analysis to include those who aspire to a better world.
Gandhi is referred to as a "Mahatma" because of his capacity to turn to and maintain the path
of nonviolence despite enormous obstacles. Gandhi's legacy serves as a constant reminder
that political leadership can have a lasting impact on society by influencing the development
of a country's moral and just institutions when it is based on moral conviction, compassion,
and devotion to justice

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i