The emergence of Gandhi was a watershed moment in the history of Indian nationalism. Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in 1915. During his early years, he spent his time at the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, which was relatively unknown to the general public. In taking his political stance, he sought advice from Gopal Krishna Gokhale. Gokhale advised Gandhi to first thoroughly research the socio-political situation in the country and then act accordingly. However, Gandhi quickly rose to prominence in the political arena as a result of his capable leadership in a number of local conflicts. In this article, we will discuss various aspects of the emergence of Gandhi which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Gandhi – Early Career

• On October 2, 1869, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born in Porbandar, Gujarat's princely state of Kathiawar. His father was a state diwan (minister).
• After studying law in England, Gandhi traveled to South Africa in 1893 in connection with a case involving his client, Dada Abdullah.
• In South Africa, he witnessed the ugly face of white racism, as well as the humiliation and contempt, showed to Asians who had come to South Africa as laborers.
• He chose to remain in South Africa in order to organize the Indian workers and enable them to fight for their rights.
• Gandhi spent 20 years of his life (1893 - 1914) in South Africa working as an attorney and a public worker.
• There he developed the idea of Satyagraha and used it against the Asiatic Registration Law. It also resulted in the first jail sentence in Mahatma Gandhi's life.
• Although it couldn't stop him from evolving into one of the most impactful and respected leaders in South Africa.
• He remained there until 1914 when he returned to India.

Gandhi’s Experiment with truth in South Africa

• The Indians in South Africa were divided into three groups:
  • indentured Indian laborers, primarily from South India, who had migrated to South Africa after 1890 to work on sugar plantations;
  • merchants—mostly Meman Muslims who had followed the laborers; and
  • ex-indentured laborers who had settled down with their children in South Africa after their contracts expired.
• These Indians were mostly illiterate and spoke little or no English. They accepted racial discrimination as a normal part of life.
• These Indian immigrants had to deal with a slew of handicaps.
  • They were not allowed to vote.
  • They could only live in designated areas that were unsanitary and congested.
• Asians and Africans in some colonies were unable to leave their homes after dark and nor were they allowed using public footpaths.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Gandhi’s Experiment with truth in South Africa

Phases of Struggle

Moderate Phase of Struggle (1894-1906)

• During this period, Gandhi relied on petitions and memorials to South African and British authorities.
• He hoped that once the authorities were made aware of the plight of Indians, they would take genuine steps to address their grievances, as Indians were, after all, British subjects.
• To unite various sections of Indians, he founded the Natal Indian Congress and launched the newspaper Indian Opinion.

Phase of Passive Resistance or Satyagraha (1906-1914)

• The second phase, which began in 1906, was distinguished by Gandhi's use of the method of passive resistance or civil disobedience known as satyagraha.
• After a series of negotiations involving Gandhi, Lord Hardinge, C.F. Andrews, and General Smuts, an agreement was reached.
• The South African government conceded the major Indian demands relating to the poll tax, registration certificates, and marriages solemnized according to Indian rites, and promised to treat the issue of Indian immigration sympathetically.

Gandhi’s Experience in South Africa

• Gandhi discovered that the masses have an enormous capacity to participate in and sacrifice for a cause that moves them.
• Under his leadership, he was able to bring together Indians of various religions and classes, as well as men and women.
• He also realized that leaders must sometimes make decisions that are unpopular with their ardent supporters.
• He was able to develop his own leadership and political style, as well as new techniques of struggle on a small scale, unhindered by the opposition of competing political currents.

Gandhi’s Technique of Satyagraha

During his time in South Africa, Gandhi developed the Satyagraha technique. It was founded on the truth and nonviolence. He combined elements of Indian tradition with the Christian requirement of turning the other cheek and Tolstoy's philosophy, which stated that nonviolent resistance was the best way to combat evil. Its fundamental tenets were as follows:

• A satyagrahi was not to submit to what he saw as wrong, but rather to be truthful, nonviolent, and fearless.
• A satyagrahi works on the principles of boycott and withdrawal of cooperation.
• Satyagraha tactics include refusing to pay taxes and declining honors and positions of authority.
• In his fight against the wrongdoer, a satyagrahi must be willing to suffer. This suffering was to be a part of his love for truth.
• Even while fighting the wrongdoer, a true satyagrahi would have no ill will toward the wrongdoer; hatred would be alien to his nature.
• A true satyagrahi would never bow down to evil, no matter what the consequences.
• Satyagraha was only for the brave and strong; it was not for the weak and cowardly. Cowardice was even preferred to violence.
• Thought and practice were never to be separated. To put it another way, the ends could not justify the means.

Gandhi in India

• In January 1915, Gandhi returned to India. In South Africa, his efforts were well known not only among the educated but also among the masses.
• He resolved to spend the next year touring the country, observing the people's plight first hand.
• He also resolved not to take a stance on any political issue for at least a year.
• In terms of the political currents that existed in India at the time, he was convinced of the limitations of moderate politics and was also opposed to the Home Rule agitation that was gaining popularity at the time.
• He believed that while Britain was at war, it was not the best time to campaign for Home Rule.
• He was convinced that the only method capable of achieving nationalist goals was non-violent satyagraha.
• He also stated that he would not join any political organization unless it shared his commitment to nonviolent satyagraha.
• Gandhi was involved in three struggles in 1917 and 1918, in Champaran, Ahmedabad, and Kheda, before launching the Rowlatt Satyagraha.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Gandhi in India

Conclusion

With Gandhi's rise, a whole new philosophy permeated every aspect of the Indian psyche. Gandhi's political ideals were simply an extension of his spiritual tenets, which were based on fundamental human values. Gandhi's greatness is found not only in his pioneering of a unique fervor in Indian politics and the rise of the masses but also in the way he revolutionized the entire way of viewing politics as an extension of humanity's inherent greatness, enriched with an innate belief in and commitment to truth.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which event marked Gandhi’s first active involvement in the Indian freedom movement?

A) Dandi March
B) Champaran Satyagraha
C) Non-Cooperation Movement
D) Quit India Movement

2. What was the primary focus of the Non-Cooperation Movement initiated by Gandhi?

A) To demand complete independence
B) To boycott British goods and institutions
C) To engage in armed struggle against the British
D) To protest against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre

3. In which year did Gandhi return to India from South Africa to lead the freedom struggle?

A) 1915
B) 1917
C) 1920
D) 1930

4. Which of the following was Gandhi’s philosophy in leading India’s freedom movement?

A) Armed revolution
B) Passive cooperation
C) Non-violent resistance
D) Political lobbying

5. The concept of ‘Swaraj’ as envisioned by Gandhi included:

A) Political independence only
B) Economic self-reliance and social equality
C) Armed struggle for freedom
D) Complete British domination

GS Mains Questions and Answers

Q1: Discuss the significance of Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement in the Indian independence struggle.

Answer: The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22), led by Mahatma Gandhi, was one of the first mass-scale movements that united millions of Indians against British rule. The movement aimed to boycott British institutions, goods, and services, and encouraged Indians to adopt swadeshi products and practices. Gandhi’s call for non-cooperation resonated with people across various sections of society, from peasants and farmers to students and professionals. The movement marked a shift from earlier constitutional demands to direct, non-violent action against colonial oppression. Though the movement was suspended after the Chauri Chaura incident, it was instrumental in awakening political consciousness among Indians and set the stage for future movements like the Civil Disobedience Movement and the Quit India Movement. It also established Gandhi as the undisputed leader of the Indian freedom struggle.

Q2: Analyze the role of Gandhi in transforming the Indian National Congress into a mass movement.

Answer: Mahatma Gandhi played a crucial role in transforming the Indian National Congress from an elite organization into a mass movement that represented the aspirations of common Indians. Before Gandhi, the Congress was largely composed of educated professionals who sought constitutional reforms through petitions and negotiations. However, after Gandhi’s return to India and his leadership in movements like the Champaran and Kheda Satyagrahas, he introduced the principles of non-violent resistance and civil disobedience. Gandhi’s emphasis on involving the rural masses, women, and laborers, along with his focus on issues like poverty, untouchability, and swadeshi, brought millions into the fold of the Congress. His ability to mobilize people for nationwide movements such as the Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement changed the nature of Indian politics, making it more inclusive and representative of the broader population.

Q3: Evaluate the impact of Gandhi’s concept of Swaraj on India’s struggle for independence.

Answer: Gandhi’s concept of Swaraj went beyond the traditional demands for political independence, encompassing economic, social, and moral dimensions of self-rule. For Gandhi, Swaraj meant self-reliance, ethical living, and decentralization of power. He encouraged Indians to adopt swadeshi goods, boycott foreign products, and support rural industries like khadi. Gandhi’s vision of Swaraj aimed at empowering the masses, particularly the rural poor, and promoting social justice. It had a transformative impact on India’s struggle for independence by broadening the base of participation and fostering a sense of unity and national identity. While the full realization of Gandhi’s vision of Swaraj remains a challenge, its principles continue to influence India’s socio-political landscape, especially in the realms of rural development and self-reliance.

Previous Year Questions on Gandhi’s Leadership

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2019:

Question: Which of the following movements marked Mahatma Gandhi's entry into active politics in India?
A) Swadeshi Movement
B) Champaran Satyagraha
C) Quit India Movement
D) Civil Disobedience Movement

Answer: B

Explanation: Mahatma Gandhi’s entry into active politics in India was marked by the Champaran Satyagraha of 1917, where he led indigo farmers in Bihar in their protest against oppressive plantation practices.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 1):

Question: Discuss the importance of Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence and Satyagraha in shaping India’s independence movement.

Answer: Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence (Ahimsa) and Satyagraha (truth force) was central to shaping India’s independence movement. Gandhi believed that true strength lay in moral courage rather than physical force, and he advocated for non-violent resistance to colonial oppression. His ideas of Satyagraha were first put into practice in South Africa and later in India during the Champaran and Kheda Satyagrahas. These principles inspired mass movements like the Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, and the Quit India Movement, mobilizing millions of Indians in peaceful protests. Gandhi’s commitment to non-violence gained international recognition and set a precedent for civil rights movements worldwide, influencing leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. Non-violence not only united Indians against British rule but also shaped the moral and ethical foundation of India’s independence struggle.