Question

“Mahatma Gandhi’s role was significant in the Non-Cooperation Movement.” Justify the statement.
 

Hint:

Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership in the Non-Cooperation Movement laid the foundation for future mass movements and showed that non-violence could be a powerful tool in the fight for independence.

Answer 1

Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership was central to the success of the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922), which was a mass-based movement aimed at securing self-rule for India. Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence and civil disobedience inspired millions of Indians to join the struggle against British colonial rule.
The Non-Cooperation Movement was launched in response to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the harsh repressive measures taken by the British. Gandhi called for a boycott of British goods, institutions, and services, urging Indians to rely on their own resources and industries. The movement spread rapidly across the country, with people from all sections of society participating, from students and intellectuals to farmers and laborers.
Gandhi’s call for non-violent resistance resonated deeply with the Indian masses, as it emphasized moral and spiritual opposition to British rule rather than violent confrontation. The movement gained momentum with mass protests, strikes, and non-cooperation with British authorities. Gandhi’s leadership gave the movement a unifying direction and a sense of purpose.
Although the movement was suspended in 1922 after the Chauri Chaura incident, where violence broke out, it had a lasting impact on the Indian freedom struggle. It marked the first time that the Indian masses had risen up in such large numbers, under the guidance of a single leader, and demonstrated the effectiveness of non-violent resistance.