UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE OF LEGAL

STUDIES, PANJAB UNIVERSITY

(CHANDIGARH)

HISTORY

PROJECT ON

THE CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE MOVEMENT

(INDIA)

Submitted by:- Submitted to:-

Srishti Sharma Dr. Sasha Tandon

B.A. LL.B.(Hons.)
Section-C
Semester-III
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First and foremost, I want to thank my research supervisor, Dr. Sasha Tandon, who selflessly
helped me in completing this project. Her teaching style and methodology have always inspired
me to achieve my targets. She raised many precious points in our discussion and I hope that I
have managed to address several of them here.

I would like to extend my gratitude to The Director, University Institute of Legal Studies, Prof.
Rajinder Kaur for giving me this golden opportunity to express myself.

Getting through my dissertation required more than academic support, and I have many, many
people to thank for listening to and, at times, taking a stand for me. I cannot begin to express my
gratitude and appreciation for their friendship. I must thank everyone above as well as my
beloved friends.

With Regards,

Srishti Sharma
ABSTRACT

Civil disobedience is the active, professed refusal of a citizen to obey certain laws, demands,
orders or commands of a government. By some definitions, civil disobedience has to
be nonviolent to be called "civil". Hence, civil disobedience is sometimes equated with peaceful
protests or nonviolent resistance.

This project is in reference to the Civil Disobedience Movement in India, which started in 1930.
It shattered people’s faith in the British Government and laid the social root for the freedom
struggle, and popularised the new method of propaganda like the prabhat pheris, pamphlets etc.
It also ended the exploitative salt policy of British was followed by the defiance of forest law in
Maharashtra, Karnataka and Central province and the refusal to pay the rural ‘Chaukidari tax’ in
Eastern India.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

SR. NO. TOPIC PG. NO.

1. Title Page 1

2. Acknowledgement 2

3. Abstract 3
4. Table Of Contents 4

5. Civil Disobedience Movement - Introduction 5

6. Historical Background 5-6

7. Reasons For The Movement 6-7

8. Nature Of The Movement 7-8

9. Political Importance 8

10. Result Of The Movement 8-9

11. Conclusion 9

12. Bibliography 10
CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE MOVEMENT –
INTRODUCTION

Introduction Civil disobedience movement was launched in 1930, under the dynamic leadership
of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who was the most popular leader among the common masses
in the Subcontinent. It began on 12 March 1930, from the Sabramati ashram at Ahmadabad,
Gandhi with few people kicked off his journey towards Dandi a village on the west coast of the
India. They travelled for 25 days and covered a distance of 385 km. They finally reached Dandi
on 6 April 1930. After reaching there Gandhi protested against tyrant policies of Colonial
Masters like salt law etc. The movement prolonged for four years from 1930 to 1934. It can be
divided into two phases as it was started enthusiastically in 1930 and halted by Gandhi-Irwin
talks and was re launched in 1932 after the Second Round Table conference. The movement was
started at the crucial time when the global economic depression hit British along with other
European countries. It affected Indian markets as well. Indians boycotted British clothes and
liquor. This movement was particularly dominated by the congress and many Hindus
participated enthusiastically in it. Anne Basant started in Bengal and Bacha Kahn led this
movement in N.W.F.P. In this way movement got support from all over subcontinent. As far as
the success of this movement is concerned, it remained unsuccessful in terms of the primary
goals are concerned. However, it was remained successful in long run, as it spread awareness
among Indians for the mass mobilization in the freedom movement. However, there were some
negative impacts of this movement as well. It brought Indians on the suspicious grand in front of
their Colonial Masters. This movement also compelled the bruisers to initiate the process of
institutionalization in India. Hence, it is proved that this movement was remained successful in
building pressure on the British in order to recognize congress as a political party of Indians.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The basic purpose of this movement was to refuse to obey certain laws or governmental demands
for the purpose of influencing legislation or government policy characterized by the employment
of such nonviolent, techniques as boycotting, picketing and non-payment of taxes. The Indians
adopted this method and launched a historical movement under the dynamic leadership of
Gandhi in 1930. Initially, it was on small scale but later on it spread in the whole India and
thousands of the people participated in it. This movement was more disciplined in nature as
compare to the other movements of Gandhi and was based on the principles of Satiagraha.

REASONS FOR THE MOVEMENT

The political environment during this movement was very critical. The attitude of British
towards the local Indians was very harsh. They were not ready to empower local Indians. Even
they were not accepting the existence of Indian National Congress, as a political party and
representative of local Indians. In those critical circumstances, there were many political and
social developments which contributed directly or indirectly for launching this movement.
Following are the few important events which seem to be main factor behind this historical
movement:-

1) In the period of viceroy lord Irvin, British government called a conference of representative of
the country in order to find an ultimate solution of the problems of sub-continent. Later on, they
formed a commission under the supervision of Simon in 1928. This commission was known as
Simon commission. A very interesting fact is that this commission was formulated by British in
order to decide the future of the local people of sub-continent but no single local Indian was
invited or selected in this commission. It was a joke on the part of Colonial Masters. They were
trying to set a formula to rule sub-continent without consulting local people. In this way such a
non-serious and biased attitude of British hurt Gandhi generally and Indian National Congress
particularly. At that time the congress leaders decided to change their policies. Hence, it is clear
that it was also one of the causes of this movement.

2) Another important political development took place in England which had lot of repercussions
on subcontinent. In 1929 elections held in England and liberal party attained the majority. After
acquiring majority, they promised India to give honor with issuing her membership of the
common wealth. But leader of the opposition Churchill severely criticized the labor party on this
act and labeled it as a crime. Consequently, labour party which formed government in England
called back this declaration. This move was also very much disappointed the congress and
Gandhi.

3) In the response of this Simon commons report, Jawaharlal Nehru presented his own report
which is known as Nehru report. The British government did not accept Nehru report and clearly
rejected.

4) On January 26, 1930, Indian National Congress called a session in Lahore which was
provided by Nehru. In this session Gandhi gave some ultimatums to Colonial Masters. They did
not respond these ultimatums of Gandhi in reaction Indian National Congress decided to attain
Punasevraj from foreign rule. It was decided in Lahore session of congress which proved to be a
significant in the history of the congress. It was also declared on this occasion that freedom is our
birth right. If any foreigner snatches it, we will oppose him forcibly. After this session not only
all the supporters of Indian National Congress but also those who had reservations got together
and decided to raise their voice against tyrant foreign rule. These were the few important
political developments which were directly or indirectly contributed for launching this historical
movement in the history of subcontinent.

NATURE OF THE MOVEMENT

Civil disobedience movement was similar to the non-cooperation movement. It was slightly
different in nature from non-cooperation movement. The difference was that people would not
pay any Tex to the British Raj and they would not accept their any act or law which they feel is
going against their concise. People from many areas participated in this movement. The core
theme was to build pressure on Colonial Masters. However, people in this movement started
burning foreign cloths and started opposing anti India laws like salt law etc. This movement
reached every knock and corner of the subcontinent. Not only men but women also took part in
this movement although they faced lot of difficulties and problems but didn’t get annoy and
faced all tough situation patiently and never turn violent. Moreover, there were very harsh
conditions set by congress for the participants for this movement like all participate had to adopt
complete sewerage of the Indian National Congress through peaceful means. Another condition
was that everyone should ready to go for jail or bear any other such sort of problem. Besides it, it
was also one of the condition that Indian National Congress would not be responsible for any
loss of participates and would not provide any financial or economic assistance. Everyone will
have to follow the instructions and orders of their respective leader. Interestingly, these
conditions were very difficult to meet but despite of this fact people were ready to support and
participate in this historical movement. It was all about the nature of the civil disobedience
movement.

POLITICAL IMPORTANCE
As far as the political importance of this movement is concerned it was very important and had a
great influence over history of Indian National Congress. It proved beneficial in bringing about a
change in the attitude of British Raj. Besides it, this movement showed a new path of struggle
forgetting rights. Furthermore, many important events also took place like round table
conference etc due to this historical movement. Many believe that Round Table Conferences
were the result of Simon commission but this was not the case. Lord Irwin remarked about this
movement, “The movement which is started by Gandhi among the Hindus is a source of worries
among the observers. We failed to suppress this movement. In case if British government did not
summon a round table conference on my request, I will resign.”

RESULT OF THE MOVEMENT

This movement was a historical and important one in nature. Inspire of these all oppressive
policy of British Raj. This movement had some positive results for Indian National Congress:-

1. Change in British attitude: Before this movement Colonial Masters were not considering
Indian National Congress as a political party and representative of local Indians. After this
movement they accepted it as a political party and started giving response to her. They invited
local Indians for talks in round table conference.

2. Gandhi Irwin pact: After this movement Colonial Masters started giving response in this
regard Gandhi Irwin pact was signed between them. According to terms of this pact it was
declared that British government would withdrew all political prisoners. In response congress
assured of the suspension of civil disobedience movement and take part second round table
conference.

3. Round table conferences: Round table conferences were also one of the important outcomes
of this movement. Though these conferences could not bring positive change in the politics of
the sub-continent, but at least colonial masters invited local Indians for the solution of the
problems of sub-continent. These were the results of civil disobedience movement.

CONCLUSION
To conclude, civil disobedience movement was one of the most important movements in the
history of the Indian National Congress. Gandhi had laid many other movements before this
movement but this movement was much more disciplined and according his philosophy of non-
violence and Satiyagraha. Furthermore, this movement changed the attitude of the British’s and
compelled them to accept as a political party and representative of the local Indians. After this
movement the colonial masters started talking with local Indians for the solutions of the
problems on equal footings. However due to these features this movement had great significance
in the history of International Congress.
BIBLIOGRAPHY

• http://pu.edu.pk

• www.historydiscussion.net

• www.jagranjosh.com

• www.wikipedia.com

• www.history.com

• www.abhipedia.abhimanu.com

• www.byjus.com