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× #1 The Indus Valley Civilization: Foundations of Urban Culture in Ancient India #2 The Indus Valley Civilization: Foundations of Urban Culture in Ancient India #3 Vedic Civilization: Evolution of Society and Thought in Ancient India #4 Mahajanapadas and the Rise of Kingdoms in Ancient India #5 The Rise of the Mauryan Empire under Chandragupta Maurya #6 Emperor Ashoka and the Spread of Buddhism #7 Decline of the Mauryan Empire #8 The Rise of the Shunga Dynasty and the Brahmanical Revival #9 The Satavahana Dynasty – Bridging North and South India #10 The Indo-Greek and Kushan Invasions – Crossroads of Cultures #11 The Sangam Age – Literature, Trade, and Tamilakam’s Golden Past #12 Mauryan Empire – Political Centralization and Ashoka’s Dhamma #13 Post-Mauryan Age – Indo-Greeks, Shakas, Kushans, and Cultural Exchanges #14 The Rise and Achievements of the Gupta Empire (c. 320–550 CE) #15 Post-Gupta Period and the Rise of Regional Kingdoms (c. 550–750 CE) #16 Pallavas and Chalukyas: South India’s Classical Kingdoms (c. 6th–8th Century CE) #17 Rashtrakutas and Their Contributions to Art and Empire (c. 8th–10th Century CE) #18 Pandyas and Cheras: Southern Trade and Cultural Flourishing (c. 6th Century BCE – 13th Century CE) #19 The Rise of the Maurya Empire and the Role of Chandragupta Maurya #20 The Reign of Bindusara – Consolidation and Expansion of the Maurya Empire #21 Foundation and Expansion of the Delhi Sultanate #22 Alauddin Khalji’s Market Reforms and Military Expansion #23 Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s Ambitious Experiments and Their Consequences #24 Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s Welfare State and Religious Orthodoxy #25 Rise of the Vijayanagara Empire: Foundation, Expansion, and Administration #26 Bahmani Sultanate: Origin, Administration, and Cultural Contributions #27 Delhi Sultanate under the Tughlaq Dynasty: Reforms, Failures, and Legacy #28 Vijayanagara Empire: Rise, Administration, Culture, and Downfall #29 Bahmani Kingdom: Origin, Culture, and Struggle with Vijayanagara #30 Delhi Sultanate in the South: Influence on the Deccan #31 Krishna Deva Raya: The Philosopher King and His Administration #32 Battle of Talikota (1565) and the Decline of the Vijayanagara Empire #33 Mughal Empire: Rise under Babur and Humayun #34 Akbar the Great: Expansion and Consolidation of the Mughal Empire #35 Jahangir and Shah Jahan: Continuity, Culture, and the Peak of Mughal Aesthetics #36 Aurangzeb: Orthodoxy, Expansion, and the Seeds of Decline #37 Later Mughals and the Decline of the Empire (1707–1857) #38 The Maratha Confederacy: Rise, Expansion, and Conflicts with the Mughals and British #39 The Rise and Fall of the Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh #40 Bhakti and Sufi Movements: Spiritual Awakening in Medieval India #41 Mughal Administration: Centralization, Mansabdari, and Provincial Governance #42 Rise of the Marathas: Shivaji, Administration, and Expansion #43 Peshwa Administration and the Expansion of Maratha Power in North India #44 Third Battle of Panipat (1761): Causes, Course, and Consequences #45 Decline of the Mughal Empire: Internal Weaknesses and External Pressures #46 Establishment of British Power in India: From Trading Company to Political Empire #47 The Revolt of 1857: Causes, Events, and Consequences #48 Social Reform Movements in 19th Century India: Bridging Tradition and Modernity #49 Formation of the Indian National Congress (1885): The Birth of Political Awakening in India #50 Partition of Bengal (1905): Divide and Rule Strategy and the Rise of Extremist Nationalism #51 The Surat Split (1907): Clash of Moderates and Extremists in the Indian National Congress #52 The Home Rule Movement (1916): Laying the Foundation for Self-Governance #53 The Lucknow Pact (1916): A Rare Moment of Hindu-Muslim Unity #54 The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms and the Government of India Act, 1919: A Step Forward or a Tactical Delay? #55 The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22): Gandhi’s Mass Awakening of India #56 Simon Commission and Nehru Report (1927–28): Rejection, Resistance, and the Quest for Dominion Status #57 Lahore Session of 1929 and the Demand for Purna Swaraj: The Tricolour of Defiance #58 Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–34): Salt, Satyagraha, and the Spirit of Rebellion #59 Round Table Conferences (1930–1932): Dialogues Amidst Dissonance #60 Government of India Act 1935: The Last Colonial Blueprint #61 Quit India Movement (1942): A Call for “Do or Die” #62 Indian National Army and Subhas Chandra Bose: The Armed Resistance Against Empire #63 The Royal Indian Navy Revolt (1946): Mutiny That Rocked the Empire #64 The Mountbatten Plan and the Partition of India (1947): Final Steps to Freedom #65 Integration of Princely States and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s Role: The Iron Man’s Mission to Unite India #66 Formation and Adoption of the Indian Constitution: The Framing of a Republic #67 Nagara style of Temple Architecture and its regional variations #68 Dravida Style of Temple Architecture and Its Features #69 The Legacy and Philosophy of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati #70 The Arya Samaj Movement and Its Impact on Indian Society #71 India’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) and the UNESCO list #72 Tribal Art and Culture of India: Warli, Gond, and Santhal Traditions #73 The syncretic nature of Sufi and Bhakti movements in promoting social harmony #74 Contributions of ancient India to Science and Mathematics (e.g., metallurgy, astronomy) #75 Development of Rock-Cut Architecture from Mauryan caves to Pallava Rathas #76 Maritime history of ancient and medieval India: Trade, cultural exchange, and naval power #77 The role and status of women in the Vedic and post-Vedic periods #78 The influence of Buddhist art and philosophy on Southeast Asian culture #79 Raja Ram Mohan Roy #80 Swami Vivekananda #81 Swami Dayananda Saraswati #82 Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar #83 Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa #84 Rani Lakshmibai: The Warrior Queen of Jhansi #85 Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: The Architect of Modern India's Social Justice #86 Jyotirao Phule: The Pioneer of Social Reform and Education in Modern India #87 Gopal Krishna Gokhale: The Moderate Reformer and Mentor of Gandhi #88 Bal Gangadhar Tilak: The Father of Indian Unrest and the Awakening of National Consciousness #89 Annie Besant: The Theosophist, Reformer, and Catalyst for Indian Nationalism #90 Dadabhai Naoroji: The Grand Old Man of India and the Architect of Economic Nationalism #91 Gopal Krishna Gokhale: The Liberal Reformer and Mentor of Mahatma Gandhi #92 Bal Gangadhar Tilak: Father of Indian Unrest and Champion of Swaraj #93 Bhagat Singh: The Revolutionary Who Lit the Flame of Freedom #94 Lala Lajpat Rai: The Lion of Punjab and a Voice of Assertive Nationalism #95 Robert Clive (1754-1767) #96 Warren Hastings (1772–1785): The First Governor-General of India #97 Lord Cornwallis (1786–1793): Reformer of British Administration in India #98 Lord Wellesley (1798–1805): Architect of British Supremacy through Subsidiary Alliance #99 Tipu Sultan: The Tiger of Mysore and the Struggle Against British Colonialism #100 DEVELOPMENT OF CIVIL SERVICES #101 Champaran Satyagraha

HISTORY

Introduction

The year 1920 witnessed a radical shift in India’s freedom movement. Mahatma Gandhi, influenced by the success of satyagraha in Champaran, Kheda, and Ahmedabad, called upon Indians to withdraw cooperation from British institutions as a means to attain Swaraj (self-rule).

The Non-Cooperation Movement fused several strands of resistance — anti-colonial nationalism, Khilafat solidarity, and rural peasant unrest — into a single unified campaign. It signaled the entry of common people into India’s political landscape.

1. Historical Context: Why the Movement Was Launched

a. The Rowlatt Act (1919)

  • Allowed imprisonment without trial for up to two years.

  • Seen as a betrayal of Indian support during World War I.

  • Gandhi led a nationwide hartal against it in April 1919.

b. The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919)

  • General Dyer’s massacre of hundreds of peaceful protestors in Amritsar horrified the nation.

  • Turned Indian opinion decisively against British rule.

c. Khilafat Movement (1919–24)

  • Muslims in India protested the dismantling of the Ottoman Caliphate after World War I.

  • Gandhi supported the cause, promoting Hindu-Muslim unity.

  • The Congress and Khilafat leaders joined hands for a common cause.

d. The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919)

  • Seen as disappointing and cosmetic.

  • Did not satisfy the growing demand for self-rule.

2. Objectives of the Non-Cooperation Movement

  • Attain Swaraj through peaceful non-cooperation.

  • Unite Hindus and Muslims in a common national struggle.

  • Promote Swadeshi (indigenous goods) and boycott British goods and institutions.

  • Reclaim moral authority by rejecting a corrupt colonial system.

3. Key Programmes of the Movement

a. Boycott Campaign

  • Government schools and colleges

  • British courts

  • Legislative councils

  • Foreign cloth, titles, and honours

  • Mass resignations of students, lawyers, and officials.

b. Swadeshi and Constructive Work

  • Promotion of hand-spun khadi and village industries.

  • Emphasis on Hindu-Muslim unity, women's participation, national education, and removal of untouchability.

c. Surrender of Titles

  • People returned British honours like Knighthoods and Kaisar-i-Hind medals.

  • Rabindranath Tagore returned his knighthood.

d. Mass Mobilization

  • Peasants, tribals, workers, and urban middle class all participated.

  • Massive rallies and hartals (strikes) across India.

4. Major Events of the Movement

Year Event
1920 Congress adopts the Non-Cooperation resolution at Nagpur Session; membership expanded
1921 Massive picketing of foreign cloth and liquor shops
1921 Prince of Wales boycotted during his India visit
1922 Chauri Chaura Incident: Police station burned, 22 policemen killed

 

5. Social Base of the Movement

a. Students and Teachers

  • Left government schools and colleges to join nationalist institutions like Jamia Millia Islamia and Kashi Vidyapeeth.

b. Lawyers

  • Leaders like Motilal Nehru, C.R. Das, and Rajendra Prasad boycotted courts.

c. Peasants and Tribals

  • In places like Awadh, Andhra, and Bihar, peasants demanded rent reduction and land rights.

d. Urban Workers and Middle Class

  • Participated in hartals, strikes, and public meetings.

6. Chauri Chaura Incident and Withdrawal of the Movement

On February 5, 1922, a protest in Chauri Chaura (Uttar Pradesh) turned violent. Protestors clashed with police, setting a police station ablaze and killing 22 officers.

Gandhi's Reaction:

  • Shocked by the violence, Gandhi suspended the entire movement.

  • He believed non-violence was non-negotiable and that the country was not yet ready.

Congress Response:

  • Many leaders, including C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru, opposed the withdrawal.

  • Gandhi was later arrested and sentenced to six years in prison.

7. Successes and Significance

✅ Mass Political Awakening

  • First time millions of Indians, including peasants and women, joined a political movement.

✅ Establishment of Gandhian Leadership

  • Gandhi became the undisputed leader of the freedom struggle.

✅ Promotion of Swadeshi and Khadi

  • Spinning became a symbol of resistance and national pride.

✅ Hindu-Muslim Unity

  • Temporary but unprecedented collaboration between communities.

8. Limitations and Failures

Limitation Explanation
Premature Withdrawal The abrupt end disillusioned many and stalled momentum.
Limited Rural Penetration Many peasants participated for local grievances, not national ideals.
Class Conflicts Tensions between landlords and tenants often diluted the nationalist message.
Communal Fragility Hindu-Muslim unity was short-lived, breaking down post-Khilafat.

 

Conclusion

The Non-Cooperation Movement was a milestone in India’s freedom struggle, not because it achieved political concessions, but because it transformed the Indian psyche. It made freedom a mass aspiration, not just a dream of the elites.

Although it ended abruptly, it demonstrated the power of non-violent civil disobedience and paved the way for later movements like Civil Disobedience (1930) and Quit India (1942). Gandhi’s vision of Swaraj through moral awakening, though idealistic, had forever changed the course of Indian history.