Explain the role of Gandhiji in Indian Freedom Movement from 1916 till 1922.

Class 12th History, Question paper 2023 -Explain the role of Gandhiji in Indian Freedom Movement from 1916 till 1922.

Question :Explain the role of Gandhiji in Indian Freedom Movement from 1916 till 1922.

The correct answer is -Mahatma Gandhi, one of the most prominent figures in the Indian independence movement, played a critical role in India’s fight for freedom from British colonial rule. Gandhi’s leadership and philosophy of nonviolent resistance, known as Satyagraha, inspired millions of Indians to join the independence movement and helped to pave the way for India’s eventual independence.

Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in 1915 and quickly became involved in the Indian independence movement. From 1916 to 1922, Gandhi led several campaigns and movements that challenged British colonial rule in India.

One of Gandhi’s first major initiatives was the Champaran Satyagraha, launched in 1917 to protest the unfair treatment of Indigo farmers in the Champaran district of Bihar. Gandhi’s efforts in this campaign, including his use of nonviolent resistance, brought widespread attention to the plight of Indian farmers and contributed to his growing popularity as a leader of the Indian independence movement.

In 1919, Gandhi led the Khilafat Movement, which aimed to support the rights of Muslims in India and Turkey. This movement, which was also based on the principles of nonviolence and civil disobedience, helped to unite the Hindu and Muslim communities in India and demonstrated Gandhi’s ability to bring people together for a common cause.

Later that year, Gandhi led the Non-Cooperation Movement, which was a call for Indians to boycott British goods and services, including government offices and schools. This movement gained significant support across India and was a major turning point in the Indian independence movement. However, it was suspended in 1922 after a violent incident in Chauri Chaura, Uttar Pradesh, where a group of protestors killed several police officers.

Gandhi was deeply shaken by the violence at Chauri Chaura and immediately called off the Non-Cooperation Movement. He was arrested and imprisoned for two years for his role in the movement. Despite the setback, Gandhi’s leadership and philosophy of nonviolent resistance continued to inspire the Indian independence movement, which eventually achieved independence in 1947.

Overall, Gandhi’s role in the Indian independence movement from 1916 to 1922 was characterized by his use of nonviolent resistance, civil disobedience, and his ability to unite diverse communities and rally them around a common cause. His leadership during this period laid the foundation for the broader Indian independence movement, which ultimately led to India’s freedom from British colonial rule.