Chauri Chaura Incident (1922) - Modern India History Notes

On 5th February 1922, the day when civil disobedience was to be launched, the Chauri Chaura incident took place and changed the whole scenario. At Chauri-Chaura, in Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh, police tried to stop a procession of Congress and Khilafat activists. Irritated by this behavior, some activists attacked them and the police opened fire at them. Infuriated, the entire procession attacked the police and when the police took shelter inside the station, the station itself was set on fire, killing all of its occupants. Shocked by this incident Gandhiji withdrew the Non-Cooperation Movement. The civil disobedience at Bardoli was also postponed. Gandhi stated that without adequate discipline and restraint on the part of the people, the movement had proved to be a ‘Himalayan Blunder’. In this article, we will discuss the Chauri-Chaura incident which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Table of Contents

Background
Features
Consequences
Positive Aspect
Conclusion
FAQs
MCQs

Background

Chauri Chaura Incident - Background

On August 1, 1920, the Indian National Congress, led by Mahatma Gandhi, launched the non-cooperation movement.
This was supposed to be a peaceful and non-violent movement in which people would resign from government jobs and titles, stop attending government schools and colleges, refuse to serve in the army, and, as an extreme measure, refuse to pay taxes.
The party's goal was Swaraj or self-government.
People readily joined the movement, and it was deemed a partial success, at least in terms of participation.
However, an incident at Chauri Chaura shifted the movement's trajectory. On February 2, 1922, people gathered in the marketplace to protest high meat prices.
Police had beaten them, and many of their leaders were arrested and detained at the Chauri Chaura police station.
Another protest against the police was planned by the volunteers.
In response, the British government declared martial law in the area and arrested hundreds of people.
After the incident, Gandhi fasted for five days in retaliation for his "role" in it. He officially withdrew the movement on February 12, believing that the people were not ready to engage in a nonviolent movement.
He also believed that people were not given adequate training to show restraint in the face of violent attacks.
Many Congress leaders, including Motilal Nehru and Chittaranjan Das, were opposed to the movement's suspension because they saw progress in the country.

Other Relevant Links
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre(April 13,1919)	Rowlatt Act(1919)
Hunter Commission (14 October, 1919)	Khilafat and Non-Cooperation Movement(1919-1922)
special session in Calcutta(Sept 1920)	Nagpur session
Role of Mahatma Gandhi	Beginning of the Gandhian Movements
Beginning of Non-Cooperation	Impact of Non-Cooperation Movement

Features

Chauri Chaura Incident - Features

A small village named Chauri-Chaura (Gorakhpur district in the United Provinces) has found a place in history books as a result of a violent incident on February 5, 1922, which prompted Gandhi to withdraw the movement.
The police here had beaten up the leader of a group of volunteers protesting the sale of liquor and high food prices and then opened fire on the crowd that had gathered in front of the police station.
The enraged crowd set fire to the police station, killing the officers who had taken refuge there; those who tried to flee were hacked to death and thrown back into the fire.
The violence resulted in the deaths of twenty-two police officers. Gandhi, dissatisfied with the movement's increasingly violent trend, announced its immediate withdrawal.
In February 1922, the Congress Working Committee met in Bardoli and resolved to halt all activity that led to lawbreaking and instead focus on constructive work, such as popularising khadi, establishing national schools, and campaigning for temperance, Hindu-Muslim unity, and opposing untouchability.
Most nationalist leaders, including C.R. Das, Motilal Nehru, Subhash Bose, and Jawaharlal Nehru, were perplexed by Gandhi's decision to withdraw the movement.
Gandhi was arrested and sentenced to six years in prison in March 1922.

Consequences

Chauri Chaura Incident - Consequences

The British sentenced approximately 172 people to death. However, 19 people were hanged in total.
The killing of the police officers was condemned by Mahatma Gandhi.
A Chauri Chaura support fund was established.
Gandhiji put an end to the non-cooperation movement.
After the incident, Gandhiji went on a five-day fast. He blamed himself for the occurrence. On February 12, 1922, he formally ended the non-cooperation movement.
Furthermore, the abrupt termination of the Non-Cooperation Movement disillusioned the Khilafat movement leaders, causing a schism between Congress and Muslim leaders.

Positive Aspect

Chauri Chaura Incident - Positive Aspect

Provide a platform for the unification of all religious communities so that a joint force can fight against foreign rule.
Provide the necessary impetus and mass support for future agitations and movements.
Give the masses a sense of courage, direction, and confidence, and fill them with self-respect and esteem.
Provide the Muslim community with a sense of representation in the nationalist movement.

Conclusion

The Chauri-Chaura incident led to the death of three civilians and 22 police officers. As a direct result of this incident, Mahatma Gandhi, who was adamantly opposed to violence, put an end to the national non-cooperation movement on February 12, 1922. The disillusionment caused by the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement led many younger Indian nationalists to believe that India would not be able to overthrow colonial rule through nonviolence.

Other Relevant Links
Modern India History Notes	Era of Militant Nationalism(1905-1909)
Emergence of Gandhi	Government of India Act, 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford reforms)
First world war and nationalist response(1914-1919)	First Phase of Revolutionary Activties(1907-1917)
Emergence of Swarajists, Socialist ideas	Emergence of New Forces during 1920s-1930s
Swadeshi Movement & Boycott Movement (1905-1908)	Growth of Militant Nationalism

FAQs

Question: What was the Chauri Chaura incident?

Answer: The Chauri Chaura incident, which took place on February 4, 1922, involved a violent confrontation between local police and a group of protestors in the Chauri Chaura village of Uttar Pradesh. The protestors were part of the Non-Cooperation Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi, opposing British colonial rule. When the police opened fire on the demonstrators, the situation escalated, leading to the killing of several people. In retaliation, the protestors attacked the police station, resulting in the deaths of 22 policemen. This incident marked a significant turning point in the Indian independence movement.

Question: What were the causes of the Chauri Chaura incident?

Answer: The Chauri Chaura incident was caused by several factors, including the growing discontent with British rule and the mass mobilization of Indians through the Non-Cooperation Movement initiated by Gandhi. The repressive actions of the British authorities against peaceful protests, along with the lack of effective communication between the police and the demonstrators, contributed to the violence. The immediate trigger was a police firing on the crowd, which incited anger and led to the retaliatory attack on the police station by the protestors.

Question: How did the Chauri Chaura incident impact the Non-Cooperation Movement?

Answer: The Chauri Chaura incident had profound implications for the Non-Cooperation Movement. Following the violence, Mahatma Gandhi condemned the actions of the protestors and called for the suspension of the movement, arguing that the use of violence was counterproductive to the goals of the independence struggle. This decision led to a decline in the momentum of the movement and demonstrated the challenges of managing mass mobilization. It also raised questions about the methods of protest and the need for non-violent resistance.

Question: What was the reaction of the British government to the Chauri Chaura incident?

Answer: The British government responded to the Chauri Chaura incident with increased repression. They arrested numerous leaders of the Congress Party and other prominent figures involved in the Non-Cooperation Movement. The authorities implemented stricter security measures to control the unrest and maintain order. The incident reinforced the British resolve to suppress the independence movement through harsh measures, leading to further conflict between the colonizers and the Indian population.

Question: What lessons were learned from the Chauri Chaura incident regarding mass movements?

Answer: The Chauri Chaura incident highlighted the complexities of managing mass movements and the importance of maintaining non-violence as a core principle of the struggle for independence. It demonstrated that while mobilizing large groups for political action can amplify voices, it also necessitates strong leadership to prevent escalation into violence. The incident reinforced Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence and the need for disciplined methods of protest to achieve political objectives.

MCQs

1. When did the Chauri Chaura incident occur?

A) January 26, 1922
B) February 4, 1922
C) March 12, 1922
D) April 15, 1922