Nationalist Movement | Class 12 History Notes

A LEADER ANNOUNCES HIMSELF

In January 1915, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi returned to India after spending over two decades abroad, primarily in South Africa. His experiences in South Africa were pivotal in shaping his political philosophy and methods. It was there that Gandhi developed the technique of non-violent protest known as satyagraha, promoted religious harmony, and raised awareness among upper-caste Indians about the discrimination faced by lower castes and women. The India he returned to was politically more active than when he left in 1893, with the Indian National Congress (INC) having established branches across major cities and towns. The Swadeshi movement of 1905-07 had expanded the Congress's appeal among the middle classes and produced leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai, collectively known as “Lal, Bal and Pal”. These leaders advocated militant opposition to British rule, contrasting with the Moderates like Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who preferred gradual reforms.

Following Gokhale's advice, Gandhi spent a year traveling across India to understand its diverse peoples and conditions. His first major public appearance was at the opening of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in February 1916, where he criticized the Indian elite for their indifference to the poor majority. Gandhi emphasized that true self-government could not be achieved if peasants were deprived of the fruits of their labor and urged the elite to hold their wealth in trust for the countrymen. This speech was both a critique of the elitist nature of Indian nationalism and a declaration of Gandhi's intent to make nationalism more inclusive of the masses.

Later that year, at the 1916 Congress session in Lucknow, Gandhi was approached by a peasant from Champaran, Bihar, who highlighted the exploitative conditions under British indigo planters. This marked the beginning of Gandhi's direct involvement in grassroots struggles.

📊 Diagram: Figure 11.1 shows people gathered on the banks of the Sabarmati River listening to Gandhi before the Salt March in 1930, illustrating his mass appeal. Figure 11.2 depicts Gandhi in Johannesburg in 1908 during his South African years, highlighting the formative period of his political philosophy. Figure 11.3 shows Gandhi in Karachi in 1916, soon after his return to India.

🧪 Activity: Students are encouraged to research the national movement before 1915 and assess whether Gandhi's critique of elitism was justified.

🔗 Connection: This section sets the stage for Gandhi's grassroots activism, leading into his involvement in local struggles such as Champaran and the broader Non-Cooperation Movement.