Gandhi travelled 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 shown to Asians who had come to South Africa as labourers. He chose to remain in South Africa in order to organise 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. In this article, we will discuss the instances of Gandhi’s experiment with truth in South Africa which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Status of Indians in South Africa

• The Indians in South Africa were divided into three groups:

1. Indentured Indian labourers, primarily from South India, who had migrated to South Africa after 1890 to work on sugar plantations;
2. Merchants—mostly Meman Muslims who had followed the labourers; and
3. Ex-indentured labourers 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 to use public footpaths.

Phases of Struggle in South Africa

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 solemnised 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 realised 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.

Conclusion

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.

FAQs

MCQs

1. What was the main principle of Gandhi’s philosophy of satyagraha?

A) Violence is the key to justice
B) Passive resistance through non-violence
C) Complete submission to British authority
D) Economic boycott of British goods

2. Which of the following events marked the beginning of Gandhi’s involvement in the Indian freedom movement?

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

3. Which of the following was a key outcome of the Non-Cooperation Movement led by Gandhi?

A) Formation of the Indian National Congress
B) Complete independence for India
C) Boycott of British goods and institutions
D) Establishment of the Indian Army

4. What was the primary aim of the Salt March led by Gandhi in 1930?

A) To demand the abolition of untouchability
B) To protest the British monopoly on salt production
C) To demand immediate independence for India
D) To strengthen India’s military

5. Which concept did Gandhi emphasize during his campaigns in South Africa and India?

A) Non-violent resistance
B) Violent uprising
C) Religious exclusivity
D) Economic retaliation

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the impact of Gandhi’s time in South Africa on his development of the philosophy of satyagraha and its application in the Indian independence movement.

Answer: Gandhi’s time in South Africa was a turning point in his development as a leader and thinker. It was in South Africa that he encountered racial discrimination, which deeply influenced his views on justice and equality. This experience led Gandhi to develop the concept of satyagraha, a philosophy of non-violent resistance. Gandhi used satyagraha in South Africa to fight against oppressive laws, which proved to be a powerful tool for civil rights. When he returned to India, he applied the same principles to the Indian independence movement, using satyagraha to mobilize millions of Indians against British rule. Gandhi’s success in South Africa demonstrated the efficacy of non-violence in challenging injustice, and this strategy became the foundation for his leadership in India.

Q2: Evaluate the significance of the Non-Cooperation Movement in the context of Gandhi’s strategy for Indian independence.

Answer: The Non-Cooperation Movement, launched by Gandhi in 1920, was a pivotal moment in India’s struggle for independence. Gandhi’s strategy was based on non-violent protest and civil disobedience, focusing on boycotting British goods, institutions, and services. The movement united a diverse range of Indians, from the educated elite to the common people, in a common cause against British colonial rule. The movement’s success was evident in the widespread participation across India, especially in boycotting schools, colleges, courts, and foreign goods. Although the movement was eventually called off due to the Chauri Chaura incident, it marked a significant shift in the Indian freedom struggle, as it demonstrated the potential for mass mobilization and peaceful resistance to achieve political goals.

Q3: Analyze the role of Gandhi in the emergence of modern India, particularly in relation to his philosophy of truth and non-violence.

Answer: Gandhi’s philosophy of truth (satya) and non-violence (ahimsa) was central to the emergence of modern India. His belief in non-violent resistance transformed the Indian independence movement, making it a global example of how peaceful methods can challenge imperialism. Gandhi’s philosophy also promoted social reforms, including the fight against untouchability and his advocacy for rural development. His commitment to truth and non-violence shaped India’s political, social, and cultural landscape, creating a new model of political struggle that was rooted in moral principles. Gandhi’s influence extended beyond India, inspiring global leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. His ideas of peaceful protest and social justice continue to resonate worldwide, marking him as one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century.

Previous Year Questions on Gandhi’s Emergence

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021:

Question: Which of the following events marked the beginning of Gandhi’s involvement in the Indian freedom movement?

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

Answer: (A) Champaran Satyagraha

Explanation: Gandhi’s involvement in the Indian freedom movement began with the Champaran Satyagraha in 1917, where he successfully led a movement to fight against the exploitation of indigo farmers. This marked the first major application of his philosophy of non-violent resistance in India.

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

Question: Evaluate the role of Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence in the Indian independence movement. How did it influence the masses?

Answer: Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence was pivotal in the Indian independence movement. It provided a moral and practical framework for resistance against British colonialism. Gandhi's emphasis on non-violence helped galvanize the masses, from the urban elite to the rural poor, creating a mass movement with widespread participation. The focus on peaceful protest enabled people from all walks of life, including women and marginalized groups, to join the struggle for freedom. Gandhi’s philosophy not only unified the people but also strengthened the moral foundation of the Indian independence movement. It proved that non-violent resistance could be as powerful, if not more so, than armed struggle in achieving political and social change.