PPT: Mahatma Gandhi & The Nationalist Movement | History Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

 Page 1


Mahatma Gandhi and 
the Nationalist 
Movement
Page 2


Mahatma Gandhi and 
the Nationalist 
Movement
I n t r o d u c t io n
Mahatma Gandhi is often seen 
as the 'Father' of the Indian 
nation. However, his career 
was shaped by the society he 
lived in.
This presentation explores 
Gandhi's interactions with 
Indian society and the popular 
struggles he led from 1915-
1948.
Page 3


Mahatma Gandhi and 
the Nationalist 
Movement
I n t r o d u c t io n
Mahatma Gandhi is often seen 
as the 'Father' of the Indian 
nation. However, his career 
was shaped by the society he 
lived in.
This presentation explores 
Gandhi's interactions with 
Indian society and the popular 
struggles he led from 1915-
1948.
A Leader Announces Himself
1
1915: Return to India
In January 1915, Mohandas Karamchand 
Gandhi returned to his homeland after two 
decades of residence abroad. These years 
had been spent for the most part in South 
Africa, where he went as a lawyer, and in time 
became a leader of the Indian community in 
that territory.
2
1916: Speech at BHU
His first major public appearance was at the 
opening of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) 
in February 1916. Gandhiji charged the Indian 
elite with a lack of concern for the labouring 
poor. He told the privileged invitees that "there 
is no salvation for India unless you strip 
yourself of this jewellery and hold it in trust for 
your countrymen in India".
3
1917: Champaran
In the last month of that year, Gandhiji was 
presented with an opportunity to put his 
precepts into practice. At the annual 
Congress, held in Lucknow in December 1916, 
he was approached by a peasant from 
Champaran in Bihar, who told him about the 
harsh treatment of peasants by British indigo 
planters.
Page 4


Mahatma Gandhi and 
the Nationalist 
Movement
I n t r o d u c t io n
Mahatma Gandhi is often seen 
as the 'Father' of the Indian 
nation. However, his career 
was shaped by the society he 
lived in.
This presentation explores 
Gandhi's interactions with 
Indian society and the popular 
struggles he led from 1915-
1948.
A Leader Announces Himself
1
1915: Return to India
In January 1915, Mohandas Karamchand 
Gandhi returned to his homeland after two 
decades of residence abroad. These years 
had been spent for the most part in South 
Africa, where he went as a lawyer, and in time 
became a leader of the Indian community in 
that territory.
2
1916: Speech at BHU
His first major public appearance was at the 
opening of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) 
in February 1916. Gandhiji charged the Indian 
elite with a lack of concern for the labouring 
poor. He told the privileged invitees that "there 
is no salvation for India unless you strip 
yourself of this jewellery and hold it in trust for 
your countrymen in India".
3
1917: Champaran
In the last month of that year, Gandhiji was 
presented with an opportunity to put his 
precepts into practice. At the annual 
Congress, held in Lucknow in December 1916, 
he was approached by a peasant from 
Champaran in Bihar, who told him about the 
harsh treatment of peasants by British indigo 
planters.
The Making and 
Unmaking of Non-
cooperation
1
Champaran, Ahmedabad, Kheda (1917-
1918)
Gandhiji was involved in local struggles, intervening 
in labor disputes and peasant issues. These initiatives 
marked Gandhiji out as a nationalist with a deep 
sympathy for the poor.
2
Rowlatt Satyagraha (1919)
Gandhiji called for a countrywide campaign against 
the "Rowlatt Act". This made him a truly national 
leader.
3
Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-
1922)
Gandhiji called for a campaign of "non-cooperation" 
with British rule. Indians were asked to stop attending 
schools, colleges and law courts, and not pay taxes.
4
Suspension of Non-Cooperation (1922)
Following the violent incident at Chauri Chaura, 
Gandhiji called off the movement altogether.
Page 5


Mahatma Gandhi and 
the Nationalist 
Movement
I n t r o d u c t io n
Mahatma Gandhi is often seen 
as the 'Father' of the Indian 
nation. However, his career 
was shaped by the society he 
lived in.
This presentation explores 
Gandhi's interactions with 
Indian society and the popular 
struggles he led from 1915-
1948.
A Leader Announces Himself
1
1915: Return to India
In January 1915, Mohandas Karamchand 
Gandhi returned to his homeland after two 
decades of residence abroad. These years 
had been spent for the most part in South 
Africa, where he went as a lawyer, and in time 
became a leader of the Indian community in 
that territory.
2
1916: Speech at BHU
His first major public appearance was at the 
opening of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) 
in February 1916. Gandhiji charged the Indian 
elite with a lack of concern for the labouring 
poor. He told the privileged invitees that "there 
is no salvation for India unless you strip 
yourself of this jewellery and hold it in trust for 
your countrymen in India".
3
1917: Champaran
In the last month of that year, Gandhiji was 
presented with an opportunity to put his 
precepts into practice. At the annual 
Congress, held in Lucknow in December 1916, 
he was approached by a peasant from 
Champaran in Bihar, who told him about the 
harsh treatment of peasants by British indigo 
planters.
The Making and 
Unmaking of Non-
cooperation
1
Champaran, Ahmedabad, Kheda (1917-
1918)
Gandhiji was involved in local struggles, intervening 
in labor disputes and peasant issues. These initiatives 
marked Gandhiji out as a nationalist with a deep 
sympathy for the poor.
2
Rowlatt Satyagraha (1919)
Gandhiji called for a countrywide campaign against 
the "Rowlatt Act". This made him a truly national 
leader.
3
Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-
1922)
Gandhiji called for a campaign of "non-cooperation" 
with British rule. Indians were asked to stop attending 
schools, colleges and law courts, and not pay taxes.
4
Suspension of Non-Cooperation (1922)
Following the violent incident at Chauri Chaura, 
Gandhiji called off the movement altogether.
Knitting a popular 
movement
1
Widespread 
Participation
Students stopped going 
to schools and colleges 
run by the government. 
Lawyers refused to 
attend court. The working 
class went on strike in 
many towns and cities: 
according to official 
figures, there were 396 
strikes in 1921, involving 
600,000 workers and a 
loss of seven million 
workdays.
2
Rural Discontent
The countryside was 
seething with discontent 
too. Hill tribes in northern 
Andhra violated the 
forest laws. Farmers in 
Awadh did not pay taxes. 
Peasants in Kumaun 
refused to carry loads for 
colonial officials.
3
Impact on British Raj
As a consequence of the Non-Cooperation Movement the 
British Raj was shaken to its foundations for the first time 
since the Revolt of 1857.