Gandhiji’s leadership transformed Indian nationalism into a mass movement through Non-Cooperation (1920–22) and Civil Disobedience (1930–34).
Nationalism began to spread beyond the elite, uniting peasants, workers, students, and women.
Women picketed liquor & foreign cloth shops, participated in processions, and faced imprisonment.
In urban areas – mostly upper-caste women; in rural – rich peasant households.
Gandhiji saw women’s participation as moral duty, not political equality.
Congress still gave women symbolic roles, not real power positions.
From 1930s, the term Dalit (oppressed) replaced “untouchables”.
Congress avoided Dalit issues to not alienate conservative Hindus.
Gandhiji called them Harijans (Children of God); launched satyagrahas for temple entry & social rights.
Ambedkar formed Depressed Classes Association (1930); demanded separate electorates.
Clash at 2nd Round Table Conference (1931).
Poona Pact (1932):
Reserved seats for Depressed Classes in legislatures.
Common electorate (no separate Dalit electorates).
Dalit participation in movements remained limited (esp. in Maharashtra, Nagpur).
After Non-Cooperation-Khilafat, many Muslims felt alienated.
Rise of Hindu Mahasabha and communal riots (1920s–30s) deepened mistrust.
Jinnah (1927): willing to give up separate electorates if fair Muslim representation ensured.
Failed due to Hindu Mahasabha’s opposition.
Sir Muhammad Iqbal (1930) at Allahabad Session:
Advocated for Muslim-majority provinces and cultural autonomy.
His ideas later inspired the Pakistan demand.
Nationalism grew through shared culture, folk traditions, and collective imagination.
Symbols, songs, and folklore became tools of unity.
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s Vande Mataram (Anandamath) – hymn to the motherland.
Abanindranath Tagore’s painting (1905) – spiritual, ascetic figure.
Later depictions – martial & powerful (lion, trishul, etc.).
Helped build devotion to the nation but alienated non-Hindu communities.
Nationalists collected folk tales & songs to rediscover Indian identity.
Rabindranath Tagore (Bengal) and Natesa Sastri (Madras) led folklore preservation.
Swadeshi Flag (1906): red, green, yellow – 8 lotuses (8 provinces) & crescent (Hindus + Muslims).
Swaraj Flag (1921): red, white, green with charkha – symbol of self-reliance.
To counter British portrayal of Indians as “uncivilised,” nationalists highlighted India’s ancient glory in science, art, and philosophy.
However, Hindu-centric glorification excluded others, causing communal tensions.
Triggered by failure of Cripps Mission & WWII hardships.
Wardha Resolution (14 July 1942) → Bombay Session (8 Aug 1942): “Do or Die” speech by Gandhi.
Demanded immediate British withdrawal.
Leaders involved: Jayaprakash Narayan, Aruna Asaf Ali, Ram Manohar Lohia.
Women leaders: Matangini Hazra (Bengal), Kanaklata Barua (Assam), Rama Devi (Odisha).
Mass hartals, strikes, sabotage; British suppression lasted over a year.
Showed total national unity despite repression.
The movement unified Indians from varied classes, though with different aspirations:
Peasants → end to land taxes
Workers → fair wages
Women → social equality
Elites → political freedom
Congress balanced these differences to preserve national unity.
Yet, divisions persisted – communal, class, and regional.
Result: A nation with many voices, but united in the demand for freedom from colonial rule.
| Theme | Key Points |
|---|---|
| Women’s Role | Symbolic under Congress, inspired by Gandhiji |
| Poona Pact (1932) | Joint electorate, reserved Dalit seats |
| Muslim Alienation | Post-Khilafat, rise of communal politics |
| Bharat Mata | Cultural unifier, but religious exclusivity |
| Folklore Revival | Rediscovery of national identity |
| Swaraj Flag | Charkha = self-reliance & defiance |
| Quit India | “Do or Die”, total mass movement |