Non-cooperation Movement: Features, Causes and Consequences
Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, was a part of several Indian revolutions that led to the day of independence. The Non- Cooperation Movement was one of the large-scale important movements and first efforts for the independence of India. Many freedom fighters of India were associated with this time. In the proposal of non-cooperation movement by Mahatma Gandhi, it was to be run as a non-violent and peaceful movement, but after reaching its climax, it ended with a violent incident. Let us read all the important aspects of Non Cooperation Movement.
This Blog Includes:
- What is Non-Cooperation Movement
- Objectives of non-cooperation movement
- Non-Cooperation Movement Timeline
- Features of non-cooperation movement
- Causes of Non Cooperation Movement
- Suspension of Non-Cooperation Movement
- Effect of Non-Cooperation Movement
- When and why was the non-cooperation movement withdrawn
- Chauri-Chaura scandal
- Spread of non-cooperation movement
- Personalities associated with the non-cooperation movement
- Non-Cooperation movement suspended
- Facts about the Non-Cooperation Movement for UPSC-2022
- Non Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement
- Khilafat and Non Cooperation Movement
- Quit India Movement
- Questions to ask
What is non-cooperation movement
(Non-cooperation Movement) was launched in 1920 on 5th September. It was led by Mahatma Gandhi and focused on ending the use of British products, banning or resigning from British posts, government regulations, courts, etc. The non-cooperation movement was started against the British in protest against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and Rowlatt Act. Mahatma Gandhi said -
That if this movement was successful then India could achieve independence within a year. It was a transition of individuals to a mass movement. Non-cooperation was also focused towards attaining Purna Swaraj which is also known as Poorna Swaraj.
The non-cooperation movement is a Satyagraha movement started by Gandhiji on 1 August 1920 against the tyranny of the British. It was a nationwide non-violent movement against the unjust laws and actions proposed by the British. In this movement, it was made clear that Swaraj is the ultimate aim.
Objectives of Non-Cooperation movement
The non-cooperation movement is a Satyagraha movement started by Gandhiji on 1 August 1920 against the tyranny of the British. It was a nationwide non-violent movement against the unjust laws and actions proposed by the British. In this movement, it was made clear that Swaraj is the ultimate aim. Inspired by the non-cooperation movement, the people boycotted British products and in their place there was a call to buy indigenously made goods.
(Non-Cooperation Movement Timeline)
Event Date
Rowlatt Act 1918
Caliph lost the war in Turkey 1919
Official Commitment of Non-Cooperation Movement August 1920
Layout and Objectives of the Non-Cooperation Movement in Kolkata September 1920
The formation of leadership from the 15th Congress Committee in Nagpur December 1920
Chauri Chaura Incident 5 February 1922
Mahatma Gandhi arrested and sentenced in March 1922
Formed by CR Das and Motilal Nehru
Swaraj Party 1 January 1923
Features of Non-Cooperation movement
The Non-Cooperation Movement was mainly based on two aspects, the conflict and the rules of conduct. Some of its features are as follows:
- Relinquishing their titles and notable positions
- The non-cooperation movement furthered the use and manufacturing of goods and products made in India and further promoted the use of British products.
- The most essential feature of the Non-Cooperation Movement was to follow the non-violent and peaceful to fight against the British rules.
- Indians were asked to refuse to participate in the elections to the Legislative Council.
- Banning and withdrawing British educational institutions
Causes of Non Cooperation Movement
There was not just one reason behind starting the Non-cooperation Movement in the previous years before the establishment of the Non-cooperation Movement. Some of the important reasons for this movement are as follows:
World War 1 – During World War 1 Indian soldiers fought on the British side and as a token for Indian support, the British may return the favor in the form of India's independence. About 74,000 soldiers were sacrificed and in return, nothing was given.
Economic issues – After the First World War, there were many economic issues all over India. The price of every product was rising and on the other hand, the farmers were not able to get the required wages for their agricultural products, resulting in resentment towards the British government.
Rowlatt Act – The Rowlatt Act denied the freedom of Indians to another level. According to this act, the British can arrest anyone and keep them in jail without the right to a proper trial. This gave rise to one of the major causes of the Non-cooperation Movement.
Jallianwala Bagh Incident – The Jallianwala Bagh massacre, which took place on 13 April 1919, was an incident that filled the fury and incendiary of every Indian, who had the least faith in the British Government. In this massacre, by order of Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer, 379 people were killed and 1200 wounded unarmed civilians were harmed.
Khilafat Movement – At that time the religious head of the Muslims was considered to be the Sultan of Turkey. When Turkey was defeated by the British in World War I, a committee was formed as the Khilafat Movement under the leadership of Maulana Muhammad Ali and Maulana Shaukat Ali, Maulana Azad, Hakim Ajmal Khan and Hasrat Mohani. This movement served as a unity among Hindus and Muslims as the leaders of the Khilafat movement joined the Non-cooperation Movement.
Suspension of Non-Cooperation Movement
The Non-Cooperation Movement was one of the biggest movements of the freedom struggle. Despite all the efforts, it was a success and due to some reasons, it was suspended.
- In February 1922 in Uttar Pradesh, a violent group of farmers set fire to a police station and killed 22 policemen.
- The non-signal movement was non-violent or peaceful but in some parts, the movement turned into violent outrage and protest.
- Criticizing leaders like CR Das, Motilal Nehru and Rabindranath Tagore, Gandhi said that India was not ready for a non-violent movement.
Effect of Non-Cooperation Movement
- Even though the Non-Cooperation Movement was not successful but it left some impact. Here are all the effects of this movement:
- This movement developed anti-British feeling among the people due to which people were trying to get rid of British rule and leaders
- When the Khilafat Movement was merged with the Non-Cooperation Movement, it brought unity among Hindus and Muslims.
- Boycott of British goods and promotion of Khadi products
- This was the first movement in which people participated on a large scale, it brought together different categories of people like farmers, traders etc.
When and why was the non-cooperation movement withdrawn
Chaurichaura is a town near Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh where Indians set a police station on fire on 4 February 1922 in retaliation for the British government's violent action. Due to this, 22 police personnel hiding in it were burnt alive.
Chauri-Chaura scandal
This incident is known as 'Chauri Chaura Kand' in the pages of history. This incident had a big impact on the Indian independence movement. Mahatma Gandhi became very upset after this incident. After this violent incident, Gandhiji withdrew his non-cooperation movement.
Spread of Non-Cooperation movement
- The Ali brothers and Mahatma Gandhi organized nationwide student and political activist rallies and meetings. During the non-cooperation movement, thousands of students left English schools and came forward to enter Swadeshi schools. Around 800 indigenous schools were opened at that time.
- Academic boycott was prominent in Bengal. CR Das was instrumental in promoting it and Subhash Bose led the Calcutta National Congress. It was also successful in Punjab, where Lala Lajpat Rai played a leading role.
- Lawyers like CR Das, Motilal Nehru, Saifuddin Kitchlew and MR Jayakar boycotted the courts.
- Campaign against Union Board taxes was launched in Midnapore district (Bengal). Tax-free movement also emerged in Guntur of Andhra district in Pirala and Pedanandipadu talukas of Chirala
- A powerful Kisan Sabha movement was emerging in Uttar Pradesh. Jawaharlal Nehru was the leader of the non-cooperation movement
- In the Malabar region of Kerala, non-cooperation and Khilafat propaganda roused Muslim tenants, called Moplahs, against their tenants.
- Tea garden workers in Assam called for a strike.
- Andhra defied forest laws
- The Akali movement in Punjab was part of the non-cooperation movement to protest the control of gurdwaras from corrupt mahants (priests).
Personalities associated with the non-cooperation movement
The non-cooperation movement also brought together many leaders and common people. Hindus and Muslims were reunited in the non-cooperation movement. Some other leaders and personalities associated with the non-cooperation movement were:
- Basanti Debi
- Jitendralal Banerjee
- Subhash Chandra Bose
- Maulana Muhammad Ali
- Maulana Shaukat Ali
- Motilal Nehru
- Lala Lajpat Rai
- Rajendra Prasad
- Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel
- MN Roy
Non-Cooperation Movement suspended
- The non-cooperation movement was one of the biggest movements of the freedom struggle. Despite all the efforts, it was successful and due to some reasons it was postponed.
- In February 1922 in Uttar Pradesh, a violent group of farmers set the police station on fire and killed 22 policemen.
- The non-cooperation movement was non-violent or peaceful but in some parts the movement turned into violent outrage and protest.
- Leaders like CR Das, Motilal Nehru and Rabindranath Tagore criticized Gandhi, saying that India was not ready for a non-violent movement.
Facts about the Non-Cooperation Movement for UPSC-2022
UPSC 2022 aspirants must know the below mentioned points about the non-cooperation movement:
Related Personality - Role in non-cooperation movement
Mahatma Gandhi He was the main force behind the
movement- in 1920, announced the Manifesto
CR Das— introduced the main resolution on non-cooperation
at the Congress's annual session, Nagpur (1920)—
his three subordinates, Birendranath Sansal in
Midnapore, Subhas Bose in Calcutta and JM Sengupta
in Chittagong, played a key role in uniting Hindus and
Muslims.
Jawaharlal Nehru - Supported the formation of Kisan Sabhas
and was against Gandhi's decision to withdraw
the movement
Subhas Chandra Bose – Resigned from civil service as a sign of
resistance – Named as principal of National
College in Calcutta
Ali brothers (Shaukat Ali and Muhammad Ali) - At the All India
Khilafat Conference, Muhammad Ali declared that
'it was religiously illegal for Muslims to remain in the
British army.'
Motilal Nehru - Abandoned his legal practice
Lala Lajpat Rai -Initially he did not support the movement-
later he was against its withdrawal
Khilafat and Non Cooperation Movement in Hindi
The two movements launched to oppose the British rule in India during the freedom struggle of India were Khilafat and Non-cooperation Movement. Both movements followed acts of nonviolence. While there were many reasons behind the movements, one of the major reasons behind the Khilafat movement was when the religious heads of Muslims who were the Sultans of Turkey were killed by the British. The Khilafat movement was led by Maulana Mohammad Ali and Maulana Shaukat Ali, Maulana Azad, Hakim Ajmal Khan and Hasrat Mohani. The movement united Hindus and Muslims as the leaders of the Khilafat movement joined the non-cooperation movement.
Quit India Movement
- It became one of the powerful Indian national movements as the main reason for the start of Quit India Movement in 1942:
- The failure of the Cripps proposal became a wake-up call for Indians
- Discontent of the general public with the difficulties brought by the world war
Questions to ask
Q-What is Rowlatt Act?
Ans-The Rowlatt Act was an act passed by the Imperial Legislative Council that stated that a person could be imprisoned without trial or judicial review.
Q-What was the name of the Ali Brothers associated with the Khilafat Movement?
Ans- Maulana Mohammad Ali and Maulana Shaukat Ali are the Ali Brothers associated with the Khilafat movement.
Q-Was Mahatma Gandhi arrested in the non-cooperation movement?
Ans-Yes, Mahatma Gandhi was arrested and sentenced to 6 years in the non-cooperation movement.
Q-What are the names of prominent leaders in the non-cooperation movement?
Ans-Lala Lajpat Rai, Motilal Nehra, CR Das and Mahatma Gandhi are prominent leaders associated with the Non Cooperation Movement.
Q-Why was the non-cooperation movement stopped or dissolved?
Ana- After the Chauri Chaura incident
Q-What was the duration of non-cooperation movement?
Ana- The non-cooperation movement was started in 1920 and ended in 1922.
