Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi’s contribution to India has been immense & we can’t deny the fact that it’s because of his movements that independence became easier. He didn’t believe in resorting to violent means to achieve independence; in fact, he employed various movements like civil disobedience, non-violence & civil rights which helped India escape from the clutches of the British.
Since has done a lot for our nation, he deserves the title “Father of the nation”; right from eradicating poverty to ending untouchability, he has done everything possible. 2nd of October is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti, a day that marks peace and non-violence.
Let us have a look at few of his movements that led India on the path of Independence;
1) Champaran movement
Champaran movement (1918) was Gandhiji’s biggest achievement. Basically this was a movement against British Landlords, who forced famers to grow Indigo & sell them at low or fixed prices. This was a non violent protest led by Gandhi; he managed to win this battle & provide relief to the peasantry.
2) Kheda movement
Kheda was hit by floods and due to this, farmers requested the rulers to exempt them from taxes. Once again, Gandhiji helped them by starting a campaign and boycotting talatdars & mamlatdars. He asked peasants to pledge non-payment of these taxes. Finally, in 1918, the taxes were waived off till the floods ended.
3) Dandi march
Also known as salt-march, this is an important landmark in the history of independence. During Calcutta Congress i.e. in 1928, Gandhi said that India should be granted dominion status, failing which the country would launch a revolution for total freedom. Since this went ignored, the Indian flag was unfurled in Lahore on 31st of December, 1929. On 26th January, 1930, Indian Independence day was celebrated. Then, for opposing salt-tax, Gandhiji launched a Satyagraha campaign in March 1930. He marched from Ahmedabad to Dandi i.e. approximately 388 km for making salt. He was joined by thousands of people. With this movement, he was successful in breaking the law of salt, which further left the Britishers infuriated.
4) Khilafat movement
He had a very good rapport with Muslim population and this was visible through Khilafat Movement. After World War 1, Muslims were insecure about the safety of religious leader or “Caliph” and hence, held a big protest to protect the collapsing status. Gandhi spoke at the All India Muslim Conference and extended his support to Muslims. With this movement, he got the status of National leader.
5) Non-Cooperation movement
Gandhi strongly said that British were able to survive in our country only due to Indians’ co-operation. So, in order to create a tough situation for them, he launched the non-cooperation movement. He gained the support of Congress and even people were convinced that non-cooperation would lead them towards Independence. This movement was started on the day of Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
6) Quit India movement
He launched this civil disobedience movement in 1942 and this was kind of a “Do or die” situation. However, it failed badly & Britishers refused to give Independence before World War II. Situations had turned haywire and this is when British realized that it’s actually better to leave the country peacefully rather than trying hard to control it.
He was a great person and we will always be thankful to him.