Question

Which was the first mass movement started by Gandhiji?

• A. Swadeshi movement
• B. Non-cooperation movement
• C. Quit India movement
• D. Salt movement

Hint:

Gandhi’s early local satyagrahas were training grounds, but his first true nationwide mass movement was the Non-cooperation Movement (1920).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Recall Gandhiji’s movements.
Gandhiji returned to India in 1915. Initially, he was involved in local struggles such as Champaran (1917), Kheda (1918), and Ahmedabad (1918). But these were local satyagrahas, not mass national movements.
Step 2: First mass movement.
The first nationwide movement led by Gandhi was the Non-cooperation Movement (1920–22). It urged Indians to boycott British institutions like schools, colleges, law courts, legislatures, and to resign from government services.
Step 3: Elimination.
- (A) Swadeshi movement: Belonged to the Bengal partition era (1905–08), before Gandhi’s leadership.
- (B) Non-cooperation movement: Correct, Gandhi’s first mass movement.
- (C) Quit India movement: Started later in 1942.
- (D) Salt movement: Part of Civil Disobedience in 1930, not the first.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Thus, the first mass movement under Gandhi was the Non-cooperation Movement in 1920.