Non-cooperation and Khilafat Movement

Non-cooperation and Khilafat movement.

Non-cooperation Movement is launched in 1920 to have Indians revoke their cooperation from the British Government, to get full independence. The Non-cooperation movement was launched by Mahatma Gandhi. Many major and minor acts and events led to the beginning of the Non-cooperation movement. The Khilafat Movement was a political campaign which is also known as the Indian Muslim Movement from 1919 to 1924 this movement was led to restore the caliph of the Ottoman Caliphate, who was considered the leader of Muslim political authority. In 1922, the Khilafat movement collapsed after Turkey gained a favorable diplomatic position. 

The year 1917 – Champaran 

During the Non-cooperation and Khilafat Movement, Gandhi used to spend a lot of his time in Champaran. He was looking to obtain security of tenure and the freedom to cultivate crops of his choice for the peasants. 

The year 1918 – Ahmedabad mill strike and Kheda Satyagraha 

Gandhi Ji was involved in two campaigns, the Ahmedabad mill strike, and Kheda Satyagraha. 

At first, he intervened in a labor dispute in Ahmedabad to demand better working position conditions for the textile mill workers. 

Later he joined the peasants in Kheda, asking the state to remit the taxes due to the failure in harvesting. Kheda Satyagraha is also known as the First Non-cooperation movement. 

These initiatives made Gandhi a true nationalist who had a lot of love and care for the poor peasants. 

The year 1919 – Rowlatt Act, Punjab Massacre and Non-cooperation

The Rowlatt Satyagraha played a prominent role behind Gandhi’s recognition for being a true national leader. It was a great success when Gandhiji called for a “non-corporation” campaign for the Indians who wanted colonialism to finish off and were requested to adhere to a “renunciation of (all) voluntary association with the (British) Government ”.At the time of the Great War in 1914-18, the Britishers instituted press censorship and permitted the detention without trial. 

When the committee’s recommendation chaired by Sir Sidney Rowlatt was shared, the measures of situations were still difficult. Thereafter, in response, Gandhiji started a campaign all over the country against the “Rowlatt Act” and called bandh. 

The incident in Punjab: – Many men served the British side in the First World War, and since they performed well, they were expecting a reward for good service. But instead, they were given the Rowlatt Act. The situations in the state kept growing and became more intense, reaching a massacre in Amritsar in April 1919, when the British brigadier ordered an open fire to his troops in a nationalist meeting, murdering more than 400 innocent people. 

Beginning of the Non-cooperation movement and Khilafat Movement 

At this time, Gandhiji was hoping to bring the non-cooperation and Khilafat together. Thus, the world’s two major religious communities were going to come together to bring an end to colonial rule. 

These movements unleashed the need for action. It was never seen before the colonial era in India. 

As per the official figures, there were approximately 396 strikes in the year 1921. Thus, the British Raj had torn apart from head to toe after the Revolt of 1857. 

The countryside was setting with discontent as well. The hill tribes in North Andra violated the farm laws. The Farmers in Awadh were not paying taxes, and the peasants in Kumaun did not agree to carry the loads for colonial officials. 

The peasant workers and others understood the situation and decided to go along with the “non-cooperate” during the colonial rule in ways that would help him get the best. 

The Chauri Chaura Incident

In February 1922, a group of peasants  attacked and torched at the police station. Many constables died in the conflagration, and this act of violence made Gandhi put his feet down to call off the movement.

The transformation of Indian Nationalism 

By the year 1922, Gandhiji managed to transform Indian Nationalism. It wasn’t just the intellectual people and professionals involved, but thousands of people, peasants, workers, and artisans also participated in the thought of independent and self-governed India.

A leader with the face of an ordinary man

Gandhiji worked with the people in simple dhoti, loincloths, and he used to live like them, speaking their language. Also, he wasn’t like any other leader and always managed to look like an ordinary man. 

He had a habit of spending time every day working on his Spinning Wheel (Charkha) 

He was known as Gandhi Maharaj, Gandhi Baba, and even as Mahatma. He was the savior to Indian Peasants.

CONCLUSION

During the Non-cooperation movement and Khilafat Movement, Gandhi used to spend a lot of his time in Champaran. He was looking to obtain security of tenure and the freedom to cultivate crops of his choice for the peasants. The Rowlatt Satyagraha played a prominent role behind Gandhi’s recognition for being a true national leader. It was a great success when Gandhiji called for a “non-corporation” campaign for the Indians who wanted colonialism to finish off and were requested to adhere. Gandhiji was hoping to bring the non-cooperation and Khilafat together. Thus, the world’s two major religious communities were going to come together to bring an end to colonial rule. These movements unleashed the need for action. It was never seen before the colonial era in India.