History Notes Chapter 7 Non-co-operation Movement Class 8 Maharashtra Board

Notes For All Chapters – History Class 8
1. Introduction

• The period from 1920 to 1947 is called the Gandhian Era.
• After Lokmanya Tilak’s death in 1920, Mahatma Gandhi became the leader of the Indian freedom movement.
• Gandhi introduced the principles of Truth (Satya), Non-violence (Ahimsa), and Satyagraha.
• This period marked the beginning of mass participation in the national movement.

2. Gandhi’s Role in South Africa

• Mahatma Gandhi went to South Africa in 1893 as a lawyer.
• Indians in South Africa faced discrimination and were treated unfairly.
• In 1906, a law required Blacks and Indians to carry identity cards.
• Gandhiji started the Satyagraha (non-violent protest) to fight this injustice and successfully improved their rights.

3. Gandhi’s Return to India

• Gandhiji returned to India on 9th January 1915.
• Following Gopal Krishna Gokhale’s advice, he traveled across India to understand people’s problems.
• He set up Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, where he trained his followers in non-violence and service.

4. Philosophy of Satyagraha

• Satyagraha means “insistence on truth.”
• It is a peaceful method of protest where truth is used to change the oppressor’s heart.
• It requires patience, non-violence, and honesty.
• This philosophy inspired global leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela.

5. Early Satyagrahas in India

A. Champaran Satyagraha (1917)

Location: Champaran, Bihar.

Reason: Farmers were forced to grow indigo for British planters, causing financial loss.

Outcome: Gandhi led a Satyagraha, and the government finally abolished the unfair system.

B. Kheda Satyagraha (1918)

Location: Kheda, Gujarat.

Reason: Due to famine, farmers couldn’t pay land tax, but the government still demanded it.

Outcome: Gandhi led a no-tax movement, and the government suspended tax collection.

C. Ahmedabad Mill Workers Satyagraha (1918)

Reason: Inflation during World War I caused low wages for textile workers.

Outcome: Gandhi supported the workers in their hunger strike, leading to higher wages.

6. Rowlatt Act (1919) and Satyagraha

Rowlatt Act: This law allowed the British to:

• Arrest people without a warrant.
• Imprison people without a trial.
• Deny the right to appeal against punishment.

Indians called it the “Black Act” because it was unjust.

Gandhi organized a nationwide hartal (strike) on 6th April 1919 to protest this law.

7. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919)

• Date: 13th April 1919 (Baisakhi festival).
• Location: Amritsar, Punjab.
• Incident:
  • General Dyer ordered soldiers to fire on unarmed people gathered in Jallianwala Bagh.
  • 1,650 bullets were fired, killing about 400 people and injuring thousands.
  • Curfew was imposed, preventing medical help for the injured.
• Reaction:
  • Rabindranath Tagore returned the title of ‘Sir’ in protest.
  • Hunter Commission was set up to investigate the massacre.

8. Khilafat Movement (1919-1924)

• Reason: After World War I, the British broke their promise to protect the Khalifa’s empire (Muslim religious leader in Turkey).
• Leaders: Ali brothers (Shaukat Ali and Mohammad Ali) and Mahatma Gandhi.
• Gandhiji’s Support: He believed Hindus and Muslims working together could strengthen the freedom struggle.
• This movement led to Hindu-Muslim unity for a brief period.

9. Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922)

A. Objectives:

• End British rule through non-cooperation.
• Boycott British schools, courts, offices, and foreign goods.
• Promote Swadeshi (use of Indian-made products).

B. Launch of the Movement:

• In 1920, the Nagpur session of the Indian National Congress approved the movement.
• Chittaranjan Das proposed the resolution, and Gandhiji led the movement.

C. Key Actions:

1. Boycott of British institutions like courts, schools, and colleges.
2. Lawyers like Motilal Nehru and Chittaranjan Das gave up their practices.
3. Burning of foreign clothes reduced British imports.
4. National schools and universities were started.

10. Chauri Chaura Incident (1922)

Location: Chauri Chaura, Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh).

Incident:

• Police fired on a peaceful protest.
• Angry protesters burned a police station, killing 22 policemen.

Effect:

• Gandhiji suspended the Non-Cooperation Movement on 12th February 1922, as he believed in non-violence.

11. Mulshi Satyagraha

• Location: Mulshi Taluka, Pune.
• Leader: Senapati Bapat.
• Reason: Farmers protested land acquisition for a dam.
• Outcome: Bapat was imprisoned for 6 years.

12. Formation of Swaraj Party (1922)

• Leaders: Chittaranjan Das and Motilal Nehru.
• Objective: To contest elections and oppose the British from within the legislature.
• Outcome:
  • Won many seats in 1923.
  • Demanded responsible government for India.

13. Simon Commission (1928)

• Reason: Review the Government of India Act (1919).
• Problem: The commission had no Indian members, leading to nationwide protests.
• Slogan: “Simon Go Back!”
• Impact:
  • At Lahore, Lala Lajpat Rai was injured in a lathi charge and later died.
  • Increased public anger against the British.

14. Nehru Report (1928)

• Chairman: Motilal Nehru.
• Recommendations:
  1. Self-government for India.
  2. Adult franchise (voting rights for all adults).
  3. Linguistic provinces.

15. Demand for Poorna Swaraj (1929)

• Meaning: Complete independence.
• Leader: Jawaharlal Nehru (Lahore Session).
• Significance:
  • Tricolor flag was unfurled on 31st December 1929.
  • 26th January was declared as Independence Day (now Republic Day).