Gandhi in India – Free Modern History Notes for UPSC 2025

Gandhi’s return to India marked a new chapter in his life and in India’s struggle for independence. His experiences in South Africa had profoundly shaped his philosophy and approach to activism. Upon his arrival in India in 1915, Gandhi quickly became involved in various social and political issues, advocating for the rights of farmers, workers, and oppressed communities. He emphasized the principles of nonviolence, truth, and self-discipline in his activism, inspiring millions of Indians to join the struggle for freedom. Gandhi’s leadership and philosophy played a pivotal role in mobilizing the masses and eventually leading India to independence from British colonial rule.

Entry of Gandhi

Gandhi came back to India in January 1915 after gaining recognition in South Africa, not just among educated individuals but also among ordinary people.
He traveled across British India for about a year, following the suggestion of Gopal Krishna Gokhale, to understand the country and its people better. In February 1916, he appeared publicly for the first time at the inauguration of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU).
At this event, Gandhi expressed his desire to make Indian nationalism more inclusive and representative of all Indians, not just the elite.

Champaran Satyagraha (1917)

The Champaran Satyagraha was Gandhi’s first major effort to rally the Indian people, prompted by an invitation from Rajkumar Shukla regarding the struggles of indigo farmers in Champaran. This movement marked India’s first instance of civil disobedience.
The issue stemmed from the tinkathia system imposed on indigo farmers, which forced them to allocate a portion of their land for indigo cultivation. Gandhi stepped in to address the matter but was ordered to leave by authorities. Refusing to comply, he stayed put, defying the directive. Eventually, Gandhi persuaded the government to acknowledge the flaws in the system and take action.
A committee was formed, with Gandhi as a member, to investigate the issue. This led to the abolition of the tinkathia system, and a compromise was reached, compensating peasants for only a quarter of the money they had lost.
Notable participants in the movement included Rajendra Prasad, Narhari Parekh, and J.B. Kripalani.

Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918)

After the Champaran Satyagraha, Gandhi shifted his focus to mobilizing urban workers in Ahmedabad. The Ahmedabad Mill Strike began in March 1918 due to a dispute between textile workers and mill owners over the discontinuation of the plague bonus.
During the plague outbreak in 1917, mill owners paid workers a bonus equal to 75% of their salary to keep them employed. However, when the plague ended, workers demanded a 50% wage increase while mill owners wanted to stop the bonus. This led to a deadlock.
At the request of Anusuya Sarabhai, Gandhi intervened and went on a fast until death. This pressured the owners to agree to a 35% wage hike.
This was the first time Gandhi used fasting as a political tool in India, using self-suffering to exert moral pressure and achieve the workers’ demands.

Kheda Satyagraha (1918)

Due to a failed monsoon, farmers in the Kheda district faced hardship in 1918. They organized themselves and demanded relief from the government due to crop failure and increased prices. The Kheda Satyagraha was Gandhi’s first act of non-cooperation in the Indian freedom movement.
The government’s famine code stated that if crop yields fell below 25% of the average, cultivators were entitled to complete exemption from revenue payment. However, the authorities refused to grant it. In response, the peasants sought Gandhi’s help.
Gandhi advised the poor peasants to refuse payment and stand firm against the government’s harshness and oppression. Eventually, the government relented, only collecting revenue from those who could afford it and refraining from confiscating land. Gandhi then decided to end the struggle.
Key participants in the Kheda Satyagraha included Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Narahari Parikh, and Indulal Yagnik.

Satyagraha Against the Rowlatt Act (1919)

In 1917, a committee led by Justice Sidney Rowlatt was set up to control revolutionary activities and investigate ‘seditious conspiracy’. It recommended the Rowlatt Act, which restricted people’s freedom and was passed by the Imperial Legislative Council. Gandhi protested against this Act through Satyagraha.
The Rowlatt Act allowed political activists to be arrested and imprisoned without trial for two years. It also took away the right to appeal and the right to habeas corpus.
Gandhiji called it the “Black Act” and began Satyagraha against it. This involved fasting, praying, breaking laws, and risking arrest. It made Gandhi a central figure in the Indian freedom movement.
Gandhi formed the Satyagraha Sabha to lead the movement. However, due to violence in some parts of India, Gandhi had to stop the Satyagraha.
This Satyagraha showed Gandhi’s ability to connect with the people. It also introduced Gandhian principles like non-violence and Satyagraha to the Indian masses.

Non-Cooperation Movement (1921-22)

The tragic massacre at Jallianwala Bagh happened during protests against the Rowlatt Act. In response, Mahatma Gandhi started the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1920.
In September 1920, the Congress had a special meeting in Calcutta where they agreed to Gandhi’s idea of not cooperating with the British until they addressed the Khilafat and Punjab issues and granted self-government.
This movement combined with the Khilafat movement, which aimed to support the Turkish Sultan’s control over Muslim holy sites in the former Ottoman Empire.
The methods of the Non-Cooperation Movement included boycotting schools, colleges, courts, government offices, legislatures, and foreign goods, as well as returning government honors and awards.
However, Gandhi withdrew the movement after the violent incident in Chauri Chaura on February 5, 1922, where 23 police officers were killed. After this, he focused on social reforms through constructive programs.

Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-34)

After the Non-Cooperation Movement, the Civil Disobedience Movement, also known as the Salt Satyagraha, became another important part of India’s fight for freedom.
In 1928, at the Calcutta Congress, Gandhi warned the British that if they didn’t grant India dominion status, there would be a revolution for complete independence. But the British didn’t listen. So, at the Lahore session of the Indian National Congress in 1929, they demanded complete independence, or ‘Purna Swaraj’, and declared January 26 as Independence Day. They also decided to start a civil disobedience movement under Gandhi’s leadership.
Gandhi started the ‘Dandi March’ against the unfair tax on salt. On April 6, 1930, he broke the salt laws, which began the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Gandhi’s actions inspired people all over India to disobey the salt laws. However, the movement paused for a while after the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.
When it resumed after the Second Round Table Conference failed, it started to lose momentum by the end of 1932. Finally, in May 1934, the movement was officially called off.

Quit India Movement (1942)

The Quit India Movement, also known as the August Kranti Movement, was a significant event in India’s struggle for freedom. It started on August 8, 1942, under Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership. Unlike previous movements, this one focused on rejecting British rule rather than passive resistance.
Indians were fed up with British rule, especially after the failure of the Cripps mission and the difficulties caused by World War II. On August 8, 1942, the All India Congress Committee met in Bombay and passed the Quit India Resolution. Gandhi also issued a ‘Do or Die’ call, demanding an immediate end to British rule, the formation of a provisional government after the war, and the declaration of free India.
British authorities responded by arresting many Congress leaders without trial. But protests continued all over the country with massive participation from the people.
Although the movement didn’t achieve its goals right away, it weakened British rule in India and played a significant role in India’s eventual independence.

Also Read: Gandhian Experience in South Africa