Achievements of Mahatma Gandhi

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is largely regarded as one of the twentieth century’s most significant political and spiritual leaders. He pioneered and implemented the philosophy of Satyagraha—resistance to oppression through mass nonviolent civil disobedience—and is revered throughout India as the ‘father of the nation’.

Gandhi effectively used the ideas of peaceful, passive resistance while spearheading statewide campaigns to eradicate poverty, promote women’s rights, establish religious and ethnic unity, and abolish the evils of the caste system, contributing a significant part in liberating India from foreign dominance. Gandhi was regularly arrested for patriotic acts, sometimes even for years, but in 1947, when India gained independence from Britain, he achieved his goal.

Achievements of Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi was a national and human rights activist who served during the twentieth century. He worked as a lawyer, politician, and activist in the battle for social and economic justice and India’s liberation from British control. Mahatma is known worldwide for his peaceful protest (Satyagraha) philosophy of achieving social and political development.

Champaran Satyagraha: In 1917, Gandhi’s first significant accomplishment was the Champaran agitation in Bihar. The Champaran movement opposed local peasants against their mostly British proprietors, supported by the local government. Indigofera, a cash crop, was pressed onto the peasantry. Indigo dye’s market had been shrinking for two decades, and they were compelled to dispose of their stocks. Planters are paid a set price for their produce. Unsatisfied, the peasantry turned to Gandhi for help. Ahmedabad has an ashram. Gandhi, pursuing a peaceful protest method, overtook the government. Regulators were taken aback and made concessions as a result of the surprise.

Kheda Satyagraha: Flash flood and starvation struck Kheda in 1918, prompting the peasantry to seek tax relief. Gandhi established his headquarters at Nadiad, enlisting the help of many followers and new workers from the area, the most important of whom was Vallabhbhai Patel. Gandhi began a signature drive using non-cooperation as a tactic, in which peasants vowed non-payment of tribute even under the threat of seizure of land. A social boycott supported the movement by mamlatdars and talatdars (district tax authorities). Gandhi fought tirelessly to gain broad public support for the struggle. The cabinet resisted for five months, but in late May 1918, the government ultimately caved in and reduced the taxation payment conditions until the catastrophe was over.

Non-Cooperation movement: The Jallianwala Bagh massacre occurred on April 13th, 1919, when British forces closed the sole entrance to Jallianwala Bagh and then started shooting at a gathering of nonviolent demonstrators slaughtering around 1,000 people. In reaction, Gandhi launched the Non-cooperation movement. He urged Indians to boycott British-made goods, boycott their academic institutions and judiciary, withdraw from government positions, and forego British honors and awards, among other things. The non-cooperation campaign was well-liked and effective. An enraged Indian crowd set a British police headquarters on fire in February 1922, killing 22 people, due to three demonstrators being slain by police. After the event, Gandhi called a halt to the march, afraid it might devolve into violence.

Dandi March: The British Salt Act of 1882 made it illegal for Indians to gather or sell salt and imposed a high tax. From March 12th to April 6th, 1930, Mahatma Gandhi walked 388 kilometers from Ahmedabad to Dandi, Gujarat, to make salt from saltwater, as the local population had done before the British Salt Policy. This legendary Salt March, or Dandi March, drew tens of thousands of Indians. It provoked widespread nonviolent protest towards British salt rules by millions of Indians, resulting in the imprisonment of 80,000 Indians. Even though it did not result in any agreements, the Salt March was mentioned in the press, and the world started to see the Indian claim to freedom as legitimate. 

Quit India Movement: Following the outbreak of World War II, Gandhi argued that India couldn’t have been a party to a war ostensibly waged for democratic rights. At the same time, that independence was forbidden to India. On August 8th, 1942, he began the Quit India Movement, which demanded an end to British rule in India. In his Quit India address, he urged people to “Do or Die.” Within hours following his statement, almost the top leadership of the Indian National Congress was arrested without charge. Massive rallies and protests were staged around the country despite a lack of coordination. Over 100,000 people were arrested by the British, and hundreds were slain. Even though the British successfully suppressed the Quit India Campaign, they understood it was no longer feasible to dominate India.

Achievement in India’s Independence

 Mahatma Gandhi was perhaps the most visible figure of India’s independence campaign, and he is known throughout India as the “Father of the Nation”. On August 15th, 1947, India achieved independence, but the partition of British India divided it into two independent states: India and Pakistan. The partition triggered extensive disturbances, killing an estimated 200,000 to 2,000,000 people. Mahatma Gandhi urged everyone to pray for peace. At the age of 77, he went on a fast in Calcutta, which helped improve the region’s condition. There may have been far more violence during the division if he might not be present.

Conclusion

Gandhi believed that it was his duty to fight for India’s freedoms. Mahatma Gandhi was significant because he was the leader who led India to independence from the British. Gandhi has had an impact on individuals and places outside of India. He made history by peacefully demonstrating and earning India’s freedom. Gandhi was a trustworthy leader. Many people worldwide are influenced by him and aspire to become like him. He is considered a hero for freeing India from British rule and harsh rules. Though some, like Nathuram Godse, despised him and attempted to murder him, most citizens adored him as the “father of the nation” and “noble soul.”