π Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934) β A Detailed Overview
The Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) was one of the most significant phases of Indiaβs struggle for independence, launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930. Unlike the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922), which focused on boycotting British goods, CDM aimed at directly defying British laws through mass protests, non-violent resistance, and civil disobedience.
This movement played a crucial role in weakening British authority in India and paved the way for future constitutional developments, including the Government of India Act, 1935 and ultimately independence in 1947.
πΉ Background & Causes of the Movement
π Simon Commission Rejection (1928):
- The Simon Commission, sent to review India’s constitutional status, was boycotted by Indians because it lacked Indian members.
- This created widespread protests and the demand for self-rule.
π Nehru Report (1928) & Congress Demand for Purna Swaraj (1929):
- The Nehru Report demanded Dominion Status for India, but the British ignored it.
- In December 1929, during the Lahore Session, Congress declared “Purna Swaraj” (complete independence) as its goal and decided to launch a mass movement.
π Economic Exploitation by the British:
- Heavy taxation on salt and essential goods burdened common people.
- Land revenue policies led to the exploitation of peasants.
π Gandhiβs Leadership & Non-Violent Struggle:
- Inspired by Satyagraha, Gandhi chose salt tax as the first law to be disobeyed because salt was essential for all Indians, rich or poor.
π Launch of the Civil Disobedience Movement
π Start Date: March 12, 1930
π Leader: Mahatma Gandhi
π Main Protest: Salt March (Dandi March)
πΉ Dandi March (March-April 1930):
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Mahatma Gandhi marched 240 miles (385 km) from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi in Gujarat, along with 78 followers.
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On April 6, 1930, Gandhi broke the salt law by making salt from seawater, defying British laws.
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This act sparked nationwide protests and civil disobedience.
πΉ Key Features of the Civil Disobedience Movement
π Mass Participation:
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Women, students, farmers, and workers joined the movement.
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Not just urban areas but rural India also participated in protests.
π Boycott of British Goods & Institutions:
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Indians refused to pay taxes, particularly the salt tax and land revenue taxes.
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Massive boycott of foreign clothes, liquor, and British goods.
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Resignation from British government jobs, courts, and educational institutions.
π Strikes & Protests Against British Rule:
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Salt Satyagraha was spread across India β in places like Tamil Nadu (led by C. Rajagopalachari) and Bengal (led by Surya Sen).
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No Tax Campaigns were launched in different provinces.
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Princely States also revolted, like the forest satyagraha in Maharashtra & Karnataka.
π British Suppression & Brutality:
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More than 90,000 people were arrested, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Vallabhbhai Patel.
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Lathi charges, police violence, and heavy fines were imposed on protesters.
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Newspapers and press were censored, and activists were jailed.
π Temporary Halt: Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931)
π Why?
The British government, realizing that suppressing the movement alone would not work, invited Gandhi for talks.
π Terms of the Pact:
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Gandhi agreed to suspend the Civil Disobedience Movement.
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Political prisoners were released (except violent revolutionaries).
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Indians were allowed to make salt for personal use.
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Congress agreed to participate in the Second Round Table Conference (1931).
β But this agreement disappointed many nationalists, as British repression continued, and the Second Round Table Conference failed.
π Resumption & End of the Movement (1932-1934)
π Resumed in 1932: After the failure of the Second Round Table Conference, Gandhi revived the movement, but it was met with even more British repression.
π The Communal Award (1932) & Poona Pact (1932):
- The British granted separate electorates to Dalits, angering Gandhi, who went on a hunger strike.
- This led to the Poona Pact, where Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Gandhi agreed to reserved seats for Dalits instead of separate electorates.
π Gradual Decline (1934):
- By 1934, the movement slowed down due to massive British suppression.
- Congress withdrew the movement and shifted focus to constitutional reforms.
π Impact & Significance of the Civil Disobedience Movement
β Weakened British Rule:
- The movement shook the foundation of British power, making them realize they could not rule India forever.
β Mass Mobilization & Awareness:
- For the first time, common Indians actively participated in breaking British laws.
- Women, peasants, and students became key contributors to the freedom struggle.
β Inspired Future Movements:
- It set the stage for Quit India Movement (1942).
- It also led to major constitutional changes like the Government of India Act, 1935, which provided limited self-governance.
β British Changed Strategy:
- Instead of direct repression, they focused on “Divide and Rule”, creating separate electorates to weaken Hindu-Muslim unity.
β However, it did not achieve complete independence immediately, and communal divisions deepened, leading to partition debates later.
π Conclusion
The Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934) was a turning point in Indiaβs struggle for freedom. Through non-violent resistance, mass protests, and defiance of British laws, it proved that Indians were capable of self-rule.
Though the movement was eventually suppressed, it significantly weakened British control and forced them to introduce reforms, ultimately leading to Indiaβs independence in 1947.