Notes For All Chapters – History Class 8
1. Introduction
After the Lahore Session (1929), where the demand for Complete Independence (Poorna Swaraj) was made, Mahatma Gandhi decided to launch the Civil Disobedience Movement.
This movement aimed to break unjust British laws peacefully.
One of Gandhi’s main demands was to cancel the salt tax and end the British monopoly on salt production.
When the British Government rejected his demands, Gandhi began the Salt Satyagraha to protest against the Salt Act.
2. Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha)
Reason: Salt was a basic necessity for everyone, yet the British imposed a tax on it. Gandhi believed taxing an essential item was unjust.
Objective: The Salt Satyagraha symbolized breaking oppressive British laws.
Event:
On 12th March 1930, Gandhiji and 78 followers began a 385 km march from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi (Gujarat seashore).
During the march, Gandhi gave speeches encouraging people to join the movement and be fearless.
On 6th April 1930, he picked up a handful of salt, breaking the Salt Law and officially starting the Civil Disobedience Movement.
3. Important Events of the Civil Disobedience Movement
A. Peshawar Satyagraha (1930)
Leader: Khan Abdul Gafar Khan (also called Frontier Gandhi).
Event:
- On 23rd April 1930, he started Satyagraha in Peshawar.
- The city remained under Satyagrahi control for a week.
- The British ordered the Garhwal regiment to fire on the protestors.
- Chandrasingh Thakur, a soldier, refused to fire and was court-martialed and punished.
B. Solapur Satyagraha (1930)
Reason: Mill workers in Solapur led the protest against British policies.
Event:
- On 6th May 1930, a hartal (strike) was observed.
- The British opened fire on the crowd, killing many, including Shankar Shivdare.
- Angry protestors attacked police stations, railways, and government offices.
- The government imposed Martial Law and suppressed the movement.
- Four leaders – Mallappa Dhanshetti, Shrikrishna Sarda, Qurban Hussain, and Jagannath Shinde – were hanged.
C. Salt Satyagraha in Maharashtra
Locations: Wadala, Malvan, and Shiroda.
Forest Satyagraha: Where there was no salt, people protested by breaking forest laws.
- Major protests occurred at Bilashi, Sangamner, and Pusad.
D. Sacrifice of Babu Genu (1930)
Location: Mumbai.
Event:
- Babu Genu, a mill worker, led protests against foreign goods.
- When a truck carrying British goods tried to pass, Babu Genu lay on the road to block it.
- The British police crushed him under the truck, and he died.
- His sacrifice inspired the national movement.
E. Dharasana Satyagraha (1930)
Leader: Sarojini Naidu.
Event:
- Protestors marched to Dharasana, Gujarat, to break the Salt Act.
- The police responded with lathi charges (baton attacks).
- Despite severe beatings, Satyagrahis remained non-violent and continued the protest.
4. Features of the Civil Disobedience Movement
Mass Participation: This movement was not limited to cities – it spread to rural areas as well.
Role of Women: Women actively participated. Notable leaders included:
- Kasturba Gandhi
- Kamladevi Chattopadhyay
- Avantikabai Gokhale
- Hansaben Mehta
Non-Violence: Despite British repression, Satyagrahis remained peaceful and fearless.
5. Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931)
Reason: Due to intense protests and international pressure, the British wanted to negotiate.
Agreement:
- Gandhiji and Lord Irwin signed the pact, under which:
- Civil Disobedience would be suspended.
- Political prisoners would be released.
- Salt tax would be relaxed for local use.
- In return, Indian National Congress agreed to participate in the Second Round Table Conference.
6. Round Table Conferences (1930-1932)
1.First Round Table Conference (1930)
Chairman: Ramsay MacDonald (British Prime Minister).
Participants: British officials, Indian princes, and Indian leaders (excluding Congress).
Outcome: Without Congress, the conference was meaningless.
2. Second Round Table Conference (1931)
Participants: Mahatma Gandhi represented Congress.
Issues:
- Minority rights and the structure of the Federal Constitution.
- Disagreements led to failure. Gandhi returned to India disappointed.
3. Third Round Table Conference (1932)
Participants: No Congress representatives attended.
Outcome: The conference was unsuccessful.
7. Poona Pact (1932)
Reason:
- Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar demanded separate electorates for Dalits.
- Ramsay MacDonald announced the Communal Award, granting this demand.
- Gandhiji opposed the division and started a fast unto death in Yerwada Jail.
Agreement:
Separate electorates for Dalits were canceled.
- Reserved seats in legislative bodies were increased.
- Gandhiji and Dr. Ambedkar signed the Poona Pact.
8. Second Phase of the Civil Disobedience Movement (1932-1934)
Restarted by: Gandhiji after the failure of the Round Table Conference.
British Repression:
- Gandhiji was arrested immediately.
- Congress was declared illegal.
- National newspapers and literature were censored.
End of Movement: Due to severe repression, Gandhiji withdrew the movement in April 1934.
9. Impact of the Civil Disobedience Movement
Weakened British Rule: The movement shook the British government.
Unity and Awareness: It united urban and rural people and increased national pride.
Political Growth: The Indian freedom struggle grew stronger, moving toward complete independence.
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