CU-BA-Eng-SEM-V-History and culture of punjab -Second Draft

helpless Indian masses, we want to emphasize the lesson often repeated by history, that it is easy to kill individuals but youcannot kill the ideas. Great empires crumbled while the ideas survived. Bourbons a n d Czars fell. \"Long live the Revolution.\" The message was clear a n d was understood well by the British. The Revolutionaries were the greatest threat to the British Raj a n d hence should be crushed mercilessly. Once Bhagat Singh was arrested he was never let off. Even though public opinion a n d the leaders in Congress strongly favoured commutation of his death sentence, the Governor-General considered himself duty bound to see that no mercy was to be shown against the determined enemies of the British Raj. \"Solemn resolutions passed by the House have been contemptuously trampled underfoot on the floor of the so-called' Indian Parliament. Resolutions regarding the repeal of the repressive a n d arbitrarymeasures have been treated with sublime contempt, and the government measures a n d proposals, rejected as unacceptable by the elected members of the legislatures, have been restored by a mere stroke of t h e pen. In short, we have utterly failed to find any justification for the existence of a n institution which, despite all its pomp a n d splendour, organized with the hard earned money of the sweaing millions of India, is only a hollow show and a mischievous 4 make-believe. Alik , have we failed to comprehend the mentality of the public leaders who help at 4 e government to squander public time a n d money on such a manifestly stage-managed exhibition of India's helpless subjection.\" The legislature, f o r the revolutionaries, lacked any democratic character. It was a facade to hide the autocratic rule by a n alien government. Those Indians who > collaborated with the government were fooling others in believing t h a t the government was introducing responsible rule by instalments. The statement drew attention to the real nature of Bills introduced in the legislature. r The labouring people were denied the right to speak against their own exploitation a n d were to be treated a s d u m b animals. These bills were 'insults hurled a t the entire country. The revolutionaries wanted to register their protest s o a s t owarn the authorities before the storm would break. About the political methods of Mahatma Gandhi a n d his followers in Congress, the statement expressed open contempt. \"Force when aggressively applied is 'Violence' a n d is, therefore, morally unjustifiable, but when it is used in the furtherance of a legitimate cause, it has its moral justification. The elimination of force a t all costs is utopian, a n d the new movement which has arisen in the country, a n d of that dawn we have given a warning, is inspired by the ideals which guided Guru Gobind Singh a n d Shivaji, Kamal Pasha 201 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

a n d Riza Khan, Washington a n d Garibardi, Lafayette a n d Lenin.\" In the process of trial Bhagat Singh made it clear that he did not believe in violence a s a n integral part of revolution. By revolution he understood a change in the social order based on justice. The producers, whether labourers or peasants should get their rights restored. Inequalities a n d disparities must come t o a n end. Without reorganising the social structure any talk of ending war seemed to him absured. Universal peace under exploiting society was unimaginable a n d hypocritical. Such a society would necessarily be socialistic. He also considered revolution, like freedom, the brith right of people. Though in their statement Bhagat Singh a n d Dutt had rejected a n y intention of killing a n y one in the Assembly and stated t h a t nobody was hurt seriously because the bombs were of low intensity and meant as a warning, the judge found them guiltv a n d sentenced them to life imprisonment. The Lahore Conspiracy Case In the Lahore Conspiracy Case all the charges including the killings of Saunders and Chan an Singh, the Assembly Bomb Case a n d the setting up of bomb factories were put together and Bhagat Singh a n d his colleagues were to be tried by a Special Court toexpedite the proceedings. The court's decision was to be final. The accused made it known that they did not want any counsel for their defence, that they had I n o belief in the justice meted out by the court, a n d that they would not appear I before the court unless they were forced t o d o so. Under the leadership of Bhagat I Bhagat Singh Militant Nationalism Singh the prisoners resorted to hunger strike demanding the treatment of revolutionaries as political prisoners and improving the facilities in the prison. During this strike which lasted over three months, one of the revolutionaries Jatin Das died a n d his body was taken to Calcutta where a record crowd participated in the procession leading to cremation. hag at Singh and his colleagues were forcibly caught and were beaten in the presence of the magistrate. These happenings were reported in the newspaper and leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru a n d Subhas Bose were anxious about their condition. M a h a t m a Gandhi f o r a long time did not express a n y opinion a n d when it was asked, he disapproved of their methods a n d called them misguided patriots. He, however, considered Bhagat Singh a n d his colleagues as brave. Wound Table Conference was not prepared to oblige and Gandhi !did not make it a condition to observe the pact. The Special Tribunal found Bhagat Singh and Wajguru guilty of committing the 202 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

murder of Saunders and Sukhdev a s the brain behind the conspiracy. A last attempt was made by Bhagat Singh's father making a petition to the Tribunal pleading that Bhagat Singh was not in Lahore when Saunders was murdered. Bhagat Singh strongly disapproved of the move a n d described it as the \"weakness of the worst type.\" He rejected a n y move to offer defence and asked his father to publish his letter. The Tribunal gave its verdict on the 7th October, 1930 a n d sentenced Bhagat Singh, Rajgura and Sukhdev to death a n d othersto transportation for life. Attempts made by various Indian leaders to save the lives of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev could 'not bear fruit and they were hanged on 23rd March, 1931. Thus, when the Karachi Congress met six days after the hanging, it was in a gloomy dim sphere. Mahatma Gandhi had to defend his position which he did by paying tributes to the young martyrs for their bravery without surrendering h i s stand on .ion-violence a n d the path followed by Congress after Gandhi-Irwin AgreementA careful analysis of Bhagat Singh's ideology is very important in order to understand his political activities and convictions. Socialist thought had definitely influenced his thinking. T h e writings of Marx, Lenin, Trotsky a n d many other socialist writers impressed his ideological convictions greatly. The Defence of Atheism Bhagat Singh's political thought finds its expression in three of his writings as well as numerous statements he made during trial. In a n interesting article captioned \"Why 1 a m a n Atheist\" he tried to explain away his differences with other revolutionaries who became devout and God-fearing in their prison life. Tracing his own evolutibri from theism to atheism, Bhagat Singh tells us how he started questioning the existence of God in his college days. As he started t o s t u d y arguments to refute the notions of the believers he lost much of his romantic ideas about terrorism a n d became a realist. \"No more mysticism, no more blind faith. Realism became o u r cult. Use of force justifiable when resorted to as a matter of terrible necessity; non-violence as policy indispensable for all mass movements. So much about methods.\" Bhagat Singh pointed out that the transition that took place in him was d u e t o the study of Bakunin, Marx, Lenin a n d Trotsky. A book, 'Common sense' by Nirlamba Swami in which a sort of mystic atheism was preached also influenced his ideas. When he was first arrested in 1927, the police wanted to get information from him about the Kakori Case. They threatened to hang him and asked him to say his last 203 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

prayers. He found after much thought that he had no inclination to pray and thus survived the first test in atheism. Bhagat Singh in this article did not deny that God is a strong anchor to give courage and consolation to the condemned prisoner. But he thought that it required greater courage to make greatest sacrifice without a desire for reward in this life or the life after death. He refuted the charge made by some of his colleagues that it was vanity on his part to deny the existence of God. He writes: Bhagat Singh considered criticism and independent thinking as the \"two indispensable qualities of the revolutionary.\" F o r him no man is so great as to be above criticism. He considered it as a mark of servile mentality. He was prepared to concede the use of faith and belief as a way of explaining away the environment. In the absence of direct proof, the philosophers of religion have found various ways, to explain away things, contributing diversity of religious ideas a n d corresponding beliefs and practices. \"Where direct proofs are lacking, philosophy occupies the important place. As 1 have already stated, a certain revolutionary friend used to say that philosophy is the outcome of human weakness when o u r ancestors had leisure enough to try to solve out the mystery of this world, its past, present a n d the future, its whys and wherefores, they having been terribly short of direct proofs, everybody tried to solve the problem in his own way. Hence, we find the wide differences in the fundamentals ofirarious religious creeds, which sometimes assume very antagonistic and conflicting &apes.\" Bhagat Singh's argument against all faiths is that they have lost the probing a n d experimental attitudes which had been the hallmark of those original thinkers. Those who followed t h e m accepted every word they uttered a s revealed t r u t h a n d stopped thinking for themselves. As a result of this every religion a n d every sect has suffered stagnation and decay. Thus religion has come in the way of human progress. \"Any man who stands for progress has to criticise, disbelieve and challenge every item of the old faith.\" It is reason a n d reason alone which should be made a test to find out what is worthwhileto be preserved in religion. He found out that the faith in God as Almighty, Omnipresent, Omniscient, a n d Omnipotent is essentially a n irrational belief. Christianity a n d Islam have no answers to the arguments a s t o why G o d created the world of woes and miseries. If it is to derive pleasure out of human misery, then G o d must be compared with such abominable figures as Nero orChangez Khan. The Hindus have attributed the sufferings in the present life as punishment of sins committed in the past life. But they have no answer as to why the Omnipotent God has not made man so perfect as to keep away from sins. Bhagat Singh's reasoning 204 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

told him that there is no supreme being to control the destiny of human beings. Man Bhagat Singh Militant Nationalism has made progress by mastering nature a n d there is no reason to be found which - \"would justify the world as it exist.\" He wanted to recommend the study of Darwin to those who were curious to know the origin of mankind. It is only accidental and all the later progress of man can be answered by his constant conflict with nature and his efforts to override it. To Bhagat Singh, the belief in God was not necessarily the invention of those who wanted to keep the people under their subjection by preaching the existence of a . supreme being and then claiming a n authority and sanction from him for their privileged positions. 'However, he accepted the argument that religion has essentially a reactionary role to play as it has always sided with tyrannical a n d exploiting institutions, men and classes. Originally, the idea of God was invented to give courage to man to face all adversities and also subdue his arrogance a n d ~ r i d e . ~ T h e idea of God is helpful to man in distress.' As a realist Bhagat Singh wanted to get rid of such notions. 'I d o n o t know whether in my case belief in God and offering of daily prayers which 1 consider to be most selfish and degraded act on the part of man, can prove to be helpful or they shall make my case worse still. I have read of atheists facing all troubles quite boldly, so 1 a m trying to stand like a man with a n erect head to the last; even on the gallows. Thoughts on Social Revolution Bhagit Singh's ideas on Socialism a n d the type of society he envisaged for India were influenced by Marxism and Russian Communism. Explaining what he considered the revolution he had made it clear before the c o rt that he understood by it reorganizing society \"On the Socialistic basis ... in which the Sovereignty of the proletariat should be recognized and a world federation should redeem humanity from the bondage of Capitalism and misery of imperial wars.\" Some of these ideas he further explained in his 'Introduction to the Dreamland.' D r e a d l a n d was a poetical work by Ram Saran Das who underwent transportation for life. Bhagat Singh pointed out in the introduction that the political parties had l a c k e d a n y conception of the society they wanted to create after independence. They only had put freedom from foreign rule a s their goal a n d the only exception was iheGhadar Party which wanted India to be a Republic. These parties according to him were not revolutionary. To him Revolution implied 'the programme of systematic reconstruction of society on new and adapted basis, after complete destruction of the existing state of affairs.' He rejected the contention made by the Gandhians that destruction is not the way to construction. To him 205 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

'Destruction is not only essential but indispensable for construction.\" From violent revolution he would propose to construct a society where violence is no more the character of social relationships. He also dismissed theidea of reconciling the ideas of various religions to avoid strife. Instead, he advocated a secular life. Bhagat Singh also expressed himself against charity a n d charitable institutions which have NC, place in a socialist society. The social organization would be built around the principle that 'there shall be no needy a n d poor, and no alms giving a n d alms taking.' Work would be obligatory for everyone. There is to be no superiority or inferiority attached to mental a n d manual labour a n d the payment would be equal. Hd, however, rejected the idea that manual labour alone is to be considered as , productive labour. Compulsory manual labour for all seemed to him 'utopian and intractable.' Bhagat Singh also dealt with the problems like crime and punishment. Punishment should be with the view of rehabilitating the criminal. \"Jails should be reformatories and not veritable hells.\" He considered war as a n institution characteristic of a society based on exploitation. A socialist society cannot rule out war since it will have to protect itself against the capitalist society. He also seems to suggest that a revolutionary war would be necessary for the creation of the world socialist order. A peaceful revolution, through education a n d evolution seemed to him a s utopian. ~ f t e recapturing power, peaceful methods shall be employed for constructive work, force shall be employed to crush the obstacles.' 8.4NON COOPERATION In the history of the Freedom Struggle movement in British India Mahatma Gandhi played a vital role with the support of mass that made Him an undisputed leader of the National movement. Before the second decade of the 20th century struggle for independence was carried by several leaders by their different ideologies and methods of Programme. In the Gandhian Era which was estimated after the First World War had seen the uniformity of the all section of the society, communities and profession. The philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi that was vested in the ideas of Non-violence and Satyagraha was introduced before the Non-Cooperation movement in the Champaran, Kheda and Ahmedabad. He also successfully used his ideologies and methods in South Africa against the racial discrimination towards the Indians by the British authorities. Before discussing the programme and course of the 206 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

movement it is right to see the circumstance and the background of the Indian Politics which were prevailed in the British India. Background of the movement-: Second decade of the 20th century, Indian politics showed a great aggression against the British colonial power especially after the First World War for several reasons. At the time of war the heavy burden was imposed on the Indian industries, the rise of the price which was unbearable and the reduction of the wages of the workers. The most important reason was the assurance which was kept in war time for the development of the democracy and nationalist mode of government now was not fulfilled. The Montagu Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 had failed to satisfy the Indian National congress and the discontented mood of the common people, peasants and workers because of the War time sufferings (rise of the price of the commodities even did not change the policy of wages rise). Both the groups of the INC (Extremists and Moderate) had lost creditability as they failed to achieve their stated goals. The Question of the Turkey before the Indian Muslims as a Khilafat against the British Dominance was also a created atmosphere for the National agitation among the Muslim community. TheMuslims started the Khilafat movement against the British Government for preservation of the integrity of the Turkish Empire and better treatment of the sultan of the Turkey. Muslim leaders Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Ali brothers (Muhammad and Shaukat), Hasrat Mohani and Hakim Ajmal khan formed the Khilafat committee to carry on a movement in the favour of Tukey at March 1919. The overthrow of the Czarist power in the Russia and the success of the Bolshevik Revolution were responsible for the mind change of people and nationalist leaders in British India. The rowlatt Act of 1919 and the massacre at the Jallianwalla Bagh on 13 April 1919 also created a lot tension among the Indian people and Nationalist. According to the Official estimate 379 persons were killed and more than 1,000 wounded as a result of firing by the General Dyers orders. M.K.Gandhi in Political scene before 1920-21-: National movement in the Indian land before the coming of the Mahatma Gandhi (was born 2ndOctober 1869 at Porbandar in Gujarat) from the South Africa was 207 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

describe by Judith Brown as “Politics of the studied limitations.” The situation which was generated in the contemporary time (mention above) was wholly fruitful for the Gandhi who later gained popularity in the masses. There was seen crop failure in the provinces of United-Province, Bihar, Punjab, Bombay, Central-Province and Orissa during 1920-21. Shekar Bandyopadhyay (From Plassey to Partition) argued with the issue of mass mobilization which was concerned, the Home Rule leagues of Tilak and Annie Besant prepared the ground for the success of the Mahatma Gandhi’s initial Satyagraha Movements, it was estimated that sixty thousands souls all over India participated with the Leagues during the movement. The experiments of his philosophy as non-violence and Satyagraha in India were seen in the early Satyagraha Movements in Champaran, Kheda and Ahmedabad. In the Champaran district of Bihar, the peasantry was forced to cultivate indigo in the 15% of their lands and supply them to the British officials at fixed rates. Mahatma Gandhi led the movement and the result came with the Champaran Agriculture Act 1919 which gave the relief to the peasantry of the Champaran by abolishing the practice of forced indigo cultivation in their lands. In 1918, Mahatma Gandhi organized a non-violent strike for the textile mill workers at Ahmedabad for the retention of plague bonus which had been introduced since August 1917. He worked as an Arbitrator between two groups Employers and workers which lasted with the workers’ demand. In the Kheda district of Bombay, Mahatma Gandhi led the movement for the peasants, demanding remission of land revenue on the ground of failure of crops. As the 3 results of these Satyagraha, Mahatma Gandhi emerged as a leader of the masses on the Indian Political scene in 1919. Programme and Course of the Non-Cooperation Movement-: The Allahabad conference of the central Khilafat Committee which was conducted on June 1920 decided to launch the movement in four stages: Boycott of titles, civil services, police and army and finally non-payment of taxes. On 1st August, 1920, the day on which the dead body of Bal Gangadhar Tilak was carried for his funeral, Mahatma Gandhi began his Non-Cooperation campaign. He surrendered the Kaiser-i-Hind medal, which had been awarded to him by the British for his services during the war. In an article in Young India he 208 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

announced that through this movement he would bring Swaraj within one year. A special session of the Congress was held at Calcutta on 4-9 September, 1920. In that Mahatma Gandhi’s resolution on Non-Cooperation was approved by which the programs were decided, surrender of Govt. titles, boycott of schools, court and councils and foreign goods, encouragement of National schools, arbitration courts and khadi. In December 1920, the annual session of the Indian National Congress, held at Nagpur, confirmed the Non-Cooperation Resolution already passed at Calcutta. But Bipin Chandra Pal, Annie Besant, M.A.Jinnah and G.S.Khaparde didn’t approve the Non-Cooperation and left Congress. This was also the period of labor unrest and trade unionism, marked by a major strike in the Bombay textile industry in January 1919, appearance of the Madras labor union in 1918, some 125 new trade unions and finally the formation of the All India Trade Union Congress in Bombay in November 1920. About 14,582 delegates attended the Nagpur session and they supported Mahatma Gandhi for the national movement. All section of the Indian society, communities and professions joined the Non-Cooperation movement. A large numbers of Indian youth lefts the schools and colleges and cooperated with the movement. Many lawyers from the different part of the India such C.R.Das, Motilal Nehru, Rajendra Prasad, Vallabhbhai Patel, Rajgopalchari and S.S. Iyenger gave up their profession and joined the Movement. Many educated youths resigned from services viz. Subhas Chandra Bose resigned from his Indian Civil Service post. Nation schools and colleges sprang up throughout the country. National Universities like Jamia Islamia of Aligarh, Gujarat Vidyapith, Kashi Vidyapith and Bihar Vidyapith. Boycott of the courts replaced by the introduction of the Panchayats for amicable settlement of disputes. Boycott of the foreign goods showed a remarkable fall in the import of the foreign cloths. Economic boycott was more intense and successful as the value of imports of foreign cloths dropped from 10 billion rupees in 1920-21 to 570 million in 1921-22, about of half of fall down import of foreign goods. Foreign cloths were burnt in a large number throughout the India. More than 10 million rupees (Tilak Swaraj Fund) was raised and 5 million were enrolled the Congress during the period which was earlier decided in the meeting of the All India Congress Committee in March 1921 at Bezwada. The 17th November 1921, the 209 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Prince of Wales landed at Bombay for undertaking a countrywide tour but it was boycotted by the Natives of the Bombay. On the day of his Arrival at Bombay, Mahatma Gandhi addressed a large gathering and a big heap of foreign cloth was burnt out as an aggression towards the British supremacy by indigenous or natives of the “Land”. The industrial workers were not far behind this boycott as it was recorded that in the cities of Bombay, Calcutta and Madras organizes strikes were held which showed their solidarity with the non-co-operator. The peasantry whom were leaded by Baba Ramchnadran in Oudh extended their support to the movement. The Moplahs revolted against their landlords, being guided and influenced by Khilafat activists. Mahatma Gandhi also appealed to the millennial dreams of the Indian tribal population who got involved increasingly in the wider politics of the nation. In the Gudem Hills of Andhra, local leader Alluri Sita Ram Raju impressed by Gandhi and preached among the hill men his message of temperance and Khadi. In December 1921, Indian National Congress at Ahmedabad session Authorized Gandhi to launch a mass civil disobedience movement which had motive behind that “non-violent violation of unjust laws in obedience to the higher laws of morality.” Mahatma Gandhi had been planning to start the Civil Disobedience Movement in Bardoli of Gujarat. But in the meantime the incident of the chauri-chaura was happened. On the February 5th 1922, in the village of chauri-chaura in Gorakhpur district of the United Provinces a violent mob showed their reaction against Police firing and revolutionary killed 22 5 policemen. On this violent activity Mahatma Gandhi suspended his idea of starting of the civil disobedience in 11th February 1922. It was estimated a big mistake which was generated by the Gandhi and he lost his popularity as a result of the suspension of the movement. It was a good opportunity before British Government and they proved it by arresting Mahatma Gandhi on 10th March 1923 and sentenced to six years’ imprisonment with the suspension of the proposed Civil Disobedience Movement, the Non-cooperation movement came to an end. Estimate-: The objectives which were defined by Mahatma Gandhi as Swaraj and preservation of Khilafat came to an end and Mahatma Gandhi who was 210 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

already arrested. In the year of 1922 a secular government was formed in Turkey under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Pasha and the issue of Khilafat was abolished in 1924. The Non-Cooperation movement strengthened the cause of nationalism by making the Congress party a mass organization and rousing an unprecedented awakening among the masses. 8.5 CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE Civil disobedience movement was launched in 1930, under the dynamic leadership of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who was the most popular leader among the common masses in the Subcontinent. It began on 12 March 1930, from the Sabramati ashram at Ahmadabad, Gandhi with few people kicked off his journey towards Dandi a village on the west coast of the India.1 They travelled for 25 days and covered a distance of 385 km. They finally reached Dandi on 6 April 1930. After reaching there Gandhi protested against tyrant policies of Colonial Masters like salt law etc. The movement prolonged for four years from 1930 to 1934. It can be divided into two phases as it was started enthusiastically in 1930 and halted by Gandhi-Irwin talks and was re launched in 1932 after the Second Round Table conference. The movement was started at the crucial time when the global economic depression hit British along with other European countries. It affectedIndian markets as well. Indians boycotted British clothes and liquor. This movement was particularly dominated by the congress and many Hindus participated enthusiastically in it. Anne Basant started in Bengal and Bacha Kahn led this movement in N.W.F.P. In this way movement got support from all over subcontinent.3 As far as the success of this movement is concerned, it remained unsuccessful in terms of the primary goals are concerned. However, it was remained successful in long run, as it spread awareness among Indians for the mass mobilization in the freedom movement. However, there were some negative impacts of this movement as well. It brought Indians on the suspicious grand in front of their Colonial Masters. This movement also compelled the bruisers to initiate the process of institutionalization in India. Hence, it is proved that this movement was remained successful in building pressure on the British in order to recognize congress as a political party of Indians. However, this paper 211 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

will try to explain the role of Gandhi and congress in this movement. Historical background: The basic purpose of this movement was to refuse to obey certain laws or governmental demands for the purpose of influencing legislation or government policy characterized by the employment of such nonviolent, techniques as boycotting, picketing and non-payment of taxes.The Indians adopted this method and launched a historical movement under the dynamic leadership of Gandhi in 1930. Initially, it was on small scale but later on it spread in the whole India and thousands of the people participated in it. This movement was more disciplined in nature as compare to the other movements of Gandhi and was based on the principles of Satiagraha. His Satiagraha was partially influenced by Shelly’s articles on non-violence. Politics of the British at the time of this movement The attitude of British during early era of nineteen twenties was different. The British had dominancy over all the affairs of subcontinent. They were not giving any response to the Indian National Congress. Even they were not ready to accept it as a political party of local Indians. The glaring example before us was Simon Commission in 1927.The British decided to send this commission according to the act of 1919 and this commission would be made an order to evaluate the changes that were necessary. But when this commission was sent not all the members of the commission were British. Interestingly, the purpose of this movement to solve the problems of local Indians and no single Indian was made member of this commission. This act depicted their mind and thinking. Therefore, Indian National Congress and Gandhi aimed to boycott this commission. Politics of Indian National Congress at the time of this Movement The political environment of subcontinent was rapidly changing in the early nineteen twenties. Few of the young and energetic politicians like Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Chandera Bose, and Azad etc. They played their role in the policies of congress. The communal riots were rising between the Muslims and the Hindus after the Khilafat Movement. It was the time when local Indians were confronting recognition as a political party in subcontinent. It was the period when Gandhi dominated Congress. Position of Gandhi in this the Civil Disobedience Movement 212 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Gandhi had emerged as the leader of the both communities during the Khilafat Movement. He moved away from politics after the failure of non-cooperation movement in 1924. When Gandhi released from jail, he moved to his ashram. He started social work and rendered services for the welfare of common people. He formulated all India Khadi Association and focused in the rural uplift in India. He was of the view that it is important to make themselves self-sufficient. So, he focused in making hand woven clothes. During this period, he was bitterly criticized by few of the congress leaders due to his passive attitude towards Baghat Singa’s assassination. Interestingly, he was not participating in active politics in this period. Despite of this fact when congress decided to launch the civil disobedience movement they offered him for leading this movement. He accepted this offer and led this movement in 1930. Reasons of the civil disobedience Movement The political environment during this movement was very critical. The attitude of British towards the local Indians was very harsh. They were not ready to empower local Indians. Even they were not accepting the existence of Indian National Congress, as a political party and representative of local Indians. In those critical circumstances, there were many political and social developments which contributed directly or indirectly for launching this movement. Following are the few important events which seem to be main factor behind this historical movement. 1. In the period of viceroy lord Irvin, British government called a conference of representative of the country in order to find an ultimate solution of the problems of sub-continent. Later on, they formed a commission under the supervision of Simon in 1928. This commission was known as Simon commission. A very interesting fact is that this commission was formulated by British in order to decide the future of the local people of sub-continent but no single local Indian was invited or selected in this commission. It was a joke on the part of Colonial Masters. They were trying to set a formula to rule sub-continent without consulting local people. In this way such a non-serious and biased attitude of British hurt Gandhi generally and Indian National Congress particularly. At that 213 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

time the congress leaders decided to change their policies. Hence, it is clear that it was also one of the cause of this movement. 2- Another important political development took place in England which had lot of repercussions on subcontinent. In 1929 elections held in England and liberal party attained the majority. After acquiring majority, they promised India to give honor with issuing her membership of the common wealth. But leader of the opposition Churchill severely criticized the labor party on this act and labelled it as a crime. Consequently, labour party which formed government in England called back this declaration. This move was also very much disappointed the congress and Gandhi. 3- In the response of this Simon commons report, Jawaharlal Nehru presented his own report which is known as Nehru report. The British government did not accept Nehru report and clearly rejected. 16 4- On January 26, 1930, Indian National Congress called a session in Lahore which was provided by Nehru. In this session Gandhi gave some ultimatums to Colonial Masters. They did not respond these ultimatums of Gandhi in reaction Indian National Congress decided to attain Punasevraj from foreign rule. It was decided in Lahore session of congress which proved to be a significant in the history of the congress. It was also declared on this occasion that freedom is our birth right. If any foreigner snatches it, we will oppose him forcibly. After this session not only all the supporters of Indian National Congress but also those who had reservations got together and decided to raise their voice against tyrant foreign rule.17 These were the few important political developments which were directly or indirectly contributed for launching this historical movement in the history of sub- continent. Nature of the civil disobedience movement Civil disobedience movement was similar to the non-cooperation movement. It was slightly different in nature from non-cooperation movement. The difference was that people would not pay any Tex to the British Raj and they would not accept their any act or law which they feel is going against their concise. People from many areas participated in this movement. The core theme was to build 214 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

pressure on Colonial Masters. However, people in this movement started burning foreign cloths and started opposing anti India laws like salt law etc. This movement reached every knock and corner of the subcontinent. Not only men but women also took part in this movement although they faced lot of difficulties and problems but didn’t get annoy and faced all tough situation patiently and never turn violent. Moreover, there were very harsh conditions set by congress for the participants for this movement like all participate had to adopt complete sewerage of the Indian National Congress through peaceful means. Another condition was that everyone should ready to go for jail or bear any other such sort of problem. Besides it, it was also one of the condition that Indian National Congress would not be responsible for any loss of participates and would not provide any financial or economic assistance. Everyone will have to follow the instructions and orders of their respective leader.20 Interestingly, these conditions were very difficult to meet but despite of this fact people were ready to support and participate in this historical movement. It was all about the nature of the civil disobedience movement. Reaction of the British raj on this movement Initially they took this movement very light. They thought that Gandhi could not do anything through this no-violent movement. As soon as, this movement got popularity and many people took it seriously and started showing their complete confidence in Gandhi. The British Raj realized the importance of this movement and changed their policies. They treated Gandhi and participants of this movement harshly. They put Gandhi and many other supports of this movement behind the bar. They even issued orders of lathi charge on Satiagrahis. The strength and popularity of the movement perturbed them a lot. These all steps which were taken by the British Raj could not subdue the spirit of the revolutionaries and their all efforts went in vain. One of the Indian writer has written that land was covered with the bodies of the people who were mourning under the strokes of the sticks. However, the Satiagrahis did not care of these all atrocities of the Colonial Masters and participated in this movement enthusiastically. 215 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Political Importance As for as the political importance of this movement is concerned it was very important and had a great influence over history of Indian National Congress. It proved beneficial in bringing about a change in the attitude of British Raj . Besides it, this movement showed a new path of struggle forgetting rights. Furthermore, many important events also took place like round table conference etc due to this historical movement. Many believe that Round Table Conferences were the result of Simon commission but this was not the case. Lord Irwin remarked about this movement, “the movement which is started by Gandhi among the Hindus is a source of worries among the observers. We failed to suppress this movement. In case if British government did not summon a round table conference on my request, I will resign.” However, one can understand the importance of this movement form the above statement of the lord Irwin. Result of the civil disobedience Movement This movement was a historical and important one in nature. Inspire of these all oppressive policy of British Raj. This movement had some positive results for Indian National Congress. 1. Change in British attitude Before this movement Colonial Masters were not considering Indian National Congress as a political party and representative of local Indians. After this movement they accepted it as a political party and started giving response to her. They invited local Indians for talks in round table conference. 2. Gandhi Irwin pact After this movement Colonial Masters started giving response in this regard Gandhi Irwin pact was signed between them. According to terms of this pact it was declared that British government would withdrew all political prisoners. In response congress assured of the suspension of civil disobedience movement and take part second round table conference. 216 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

3. Round table conferences Round table conferences were also one of the important outcome of this movement. Though these conferences could not bring positive change in the politics of the sub-continent. But at least colonial masters invited local Indians for the solution of the problems of sub-continent. These were the results of civil disobedience movement. To conclude, civil disobedience movement was one of the most important movement in the history of the Indian National Congress. Gandhi had laid many other movements before this movement but this movement was much more disciplined and according his philosophy of non-violence and Satiyagraha. Furthermore, this movement changed the attitude of the British’s and compelled them to accept as a political party and representative of the local Indians. After this movement the colonial masters started talking with local Indians for the solutions of the problems on equal footings. However due to these features this movement had great significance in the history of International Congress. 8.6 SUMMARY  Credited as the event that galvanised the first major anti-colonial nationalist movement, and inexorably set Indian nationalists, including Gandhi, on the path towards independence.  The story of Jallianwala Bagh is accordingly also the story of a particular colonial mind-set haunted by the spectre of the ‘Mutiny’. Kim A Wagner’s book seeks to show the interplay between a colonial mentality rooted in the nineteenth century and the contingencies of the unrest in 1919 – an awareness of, and attention to, the varying themes at play within a single event. 8.7 KEYWORDS  An and Singh:Belonged to Punjab; hewas Sepoy in the Punjab Regiment ofthe British-Indian Army;  Amolak Ram:Belonged to v.Doduwal,p.s.Mahilpur, distt. Hoshiarpur,Punjab; s/o Jagat Ram. With theAkali reformers, he joined a peacefulJatha to Jaito Gurdwara 217 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Gangsar,Nabha, in 1924 against the Britishorder prohibiting all prayer-assemblies there [see the item onAchhar Singh].  Asa Singh: Belonged to v. Nathu Kae,distt. Lahore, Punjab (now inPakistan); s/o Bachan Singh.Involved in the Akali activities inPunjab. Took part in the peaceful SikhJatha No. 8t h to Jaito GurdwaraGangsar, Nabha, in 1924  Atma Sing: Belonged to v. Sang Kalan,distt. Jhelum (now in Pakistan);decided to offer his services to theIndian National Army; registeredhimself as Havildar [°Hawaldår] in the2nd Guerrilla Regiment; lost his lifewhile taking part in a battle againstthe British in Burma in 1944. 8.8 LEARNING ACTIVITY 1. Assess the contribution of Bhagat Singh to the Indian Freedom Struggle. ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 2. Explain Gandhi’s critique of the revolutionaries. ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 8.9UNIT END QUESTIONS A. Descriptive Questions Short Questions 1. Discuss the flow of events leading to Jallianwala Bagh massacre. 2. What was the aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh incident? 3. Discuss about General Dyer. 4. Write about Bhagat Singh’s life before freedom fighter. 5. Give a brief note about Non-cooperation movement. Long Questions 1. The Massacre: New Precedent of Barbarism – Explain. 2. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre: How this Fateful Incident Took Place.? 3. Describe the life of Bhagat Singh. 4. Discuss about Non-cooperation movement. 218 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

5. Explain Civil Disobedience movement. B. Multiple Choice Questions 1. When did Jallianwala bagh massacre took place? a. March 11 1915 b. April 13 1919 c. April 9 1919 d. June 12 1917 2. Which act led to the Jallianwala bagh incident? a. Defence of India act b. Rowlatt act c. Government of India act d. Official secrets act 3. Who were arrested before Jallianwala bagh incident a. Jawaharlal Nehru b. Dr. Satya pal ,Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew c. Bhagat Singh d. Lajpat Rai 4. Who was the person who commanded the British force to fire on the crowd present in Jallianwala bagh ? a. General Dyer b. Robert clive c. Warren Hastings d. George V 5. Where is Jallianwala baghlocated ? 219 a. Amritsar, Punjab CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

b. Jalandhar, Punjab c. Chandigarh, Punjab d. Ludhiana, Punjab Answer 1-b, 2-b, 3-a, 4-a, 5-a 8.10 REFERENCE Reference  Argov, Daniel., Moderates and Extremist in the Indian Nationalist Movement 1883 1920, Asia Publishing House, Bombay, 1967Chandra, Bipan., History of Modern India, Orient BlackSwan, Hyderabad, 2009  Chousalkar, Ashok., Indian Idea of Political Resistance, Ajanta Publications, Delhi,1990  Parel, Anthony., (ed.), Hind Swaraj and Other Writings, Cambridge University Press,New Delhi, 1997  Gupta, D.N.,(ed.), Bhagat Singh Select Speeches & Writings, National Book Trust,New Delhi, 2007 Website  https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Education-and-Careers/2015-11- 10/Indian-National-Movement-19171947-I/185875  https://ncert.nic.in/ncerts/l/hess205.pdf 220 CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)