Satyagraha, which means "firmly holding to truth" or "truth force," is a type of nonviolent resistance or civil resistance. Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) coined and developed the term satyagraha, which he used in the Indian independence movement as well as earlier struggles for Indian rights in South Africa. The Civil Disobedience Movement was launched under the leadership of Gandhi in 1930. It started with Dandi March (also called Salt Satyagraha) by Mahatma Gandhi on 12th March 1930. The movement spread in all parts of the country and salt laws were challenged in other parts of the country as well. Salt became the symbol of people’s disobedience to the British Government. In this article, we will discuss the Satyagraha at Different Places which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Satyagraha in Tamil Nadu

• C.Rajagopalachari was a key figure in Tamil Nadu's civil disobedience movement.
• In April 1930, he organized a march from Trichinopoly to Vedaranniyam on the Tanjore coast to defy the salt law.
• The event was followed by widespread picketing of foreign clothing stores, and the anti-liquor campaign gained traction in the interior regions of Coimbatore, Madura, Virdhanagar, and other cities.
• Despite Rajaji's efforts to keep the movement nonviolent, violent outbursts of the masses and violent police repressions began. The use of police force was used to end the Choolai Mills strike.
• Unemployed weavers attacked liquor stores and police pickets in Gudiyattam, while peasants rioted in Madura's Bodinayakanur due to falling prices.

Satyagraha in Malabar

• Salt marches were organized by K. Kelappan, a Nair Congress leader best known for the Vaikom Satyagraha.
• In November 1930, P. Krishna Pillai, the future founder of the Kerala Communist movement, heroically defended the national flag in the face of a police lathi-charge on Calicut beach.

Satyagraha in Andhra Pradesh

• Salt marches were organized in the districts of east and west Godavari, Krishna, and Guntur.
• A number of sibirams (military-style camps) were established to serve as the Salt Satyagraha's headquarters.
• Merchants contributed to Congress funds, and the dominant castes, the Kamma and Raju cultivators, defied repressive measures.
• However, mass support, such as that seen in the non-cooperation movement (1921-22), was lacking in the region.

Satyagraha in Orissa

Under the leadership of Gopabandhu Chaudhary, the Civil Disobedience movement received a tremendous response in Orissa, particularly in coastal districts such as Balasore, Cuttack, and Puri.

Satyagraha in Assam

• Due to divisive issues such as growing conflicts between Assamese and Bengalis, Hindus and Muslims, and tensions arising from the inflow of Muslim peasants from densely populated east Bengal, civil disobedience failed to regain the heights attained in 1921–22.
• In May 1930, however, there was a successful student strike against the Cunningham Circular, which prohibited students from participating in politics.
• In December 1930, Chandraprabha Saikiani incited the aboriginal Kachari villages to violate forest laws, which the Assam Congress leadership denied.
• Tarunram Phookan, for example, was an outspoken opponent of the movement, as was N.C.Bordoloi.

Satyagraha in Dharsana (Salt Satyagraha)

• At Dharasana Salt Works, the Satyagraha went ahead as planned, with Abbas Tyabji, a 76-year-old retired judge, leading the march with Gandhi's wife Kasturba at his side.
• Both were arrested before reaching Dharsana and sentenced to three months in prison.
• Sarojini Naidu, Imam Sahib, and Manilal (Gandhi's son) resumed the unfinished business of leading a raid on the Dharasana Salt Works on May 21, 1930.
• They warned the Satyagrahis that they must not use any non-violent means under any circumstances.
• The unarmed and peaceful crowd was met with a brutal lathi-charge, which killed two people and injured 320 others.
• People in Wadala (Bombay), Karnataka (Sanikatta Salt Works), Andhra Pradesh, Midnapore, Balasore, Puri, and Cuttack enthusiastically embraced this new form of salt satyagraha.

Satyagraha in Bengal (Anti-Union Board Tax Campaign)

• The Salt Satyagraha was launched in Bengal with great zeal and patriotism. A large number of volunteers were recruited.
• On the first day of the 'National Week,' a well-attended public meeting was held at Calcutta's Shraddhanand Park on April 6, 1930.
• Its President, Lalit Mohan Das, made an impassioned appeal to the people to join the national movement and make it a grand success in his inspiring speech.
• The Amrita Bazar Patrika reported the details of the salt Satyagraha under several banner headlines such as "Bengal Astir, Grim and Fearless Determination," "Salt Preparation of Mahisbathan on a Large Scale," and "Salt Preparation of Mahisbathan on a Large Scale," which created excitement all over the country in support of the movement.
• The Bengal Congress, which was split into two factions led by Subhas Chandra Bose and J.M. Sengupta, was a candidate in the Calcutta Corporation election.
• As a result, most of Calcutta's bhadralok leaders have become estranged from the rural masses. There were also communal riots in Dacca (now Dhaka) and Kishoreganj, with few Muslims participating in the movements.
• Despite this, Bengal had the highest number of arrests as well as the most violence.
• Midnapur, Arambagh, and other rural areas saw strong movements centered on the salt satyagraha and the chaukidari tax.
• Surya Sen's Chittagong revolt group carried out a raid on two armories at the same time and declared the establishment of a provisional government.
• Calcutta saw a lot of violence on April 15th. The occasion was Jawaharlal Nehru and J.M. Sengupta's arrest.
• In South Calcutta, enraged by haphazard police violence, two tramcars were burned and a third was ruined.
• Members of the fire department were attacked while extinguishing the flames, causing serious injuries to some of them.
• In retaliation, a European sergeant opened fire, injuring two Sikhs and arresting thirteen others.

Satyagraha in Bihar (No Chowkidari Tax Campaign)

• The first two districts to launch a salt satyagraha were Champaran and Saran.
• Rajendra Prasad laid the groundwork for a widespread Civil Disobedience Movement in Bihar.
• Approximately 5,000 volunteers were enrolled in the first week of April, and their numbers have steadily increased since then.
• In landlocked Bihar, large-scale salt production was impractical, and in most places, it was a token gesture.
• Ambika Kant Sinha chose Nakhas Pond in Patna as a location to make salt and violate the salt law. However, the salt satyagraha was quickly replaced by a powerful no-chaukidari tax agitation (due to physical constraints in salt production).
• By November 1930, the sale of foreign cloth and liquor had plummeted, and administration had collapsed in several areas, including Munger's Barhee region.
• Lower-class militancy was observed in the tribal belt of Chhotanagpur (now in Jharkhand).
• In Hazaribagh, Bonga Majhi and Somra Majhi, influenced by Gandhism, led a movement that combined socio-religious reform along 'sanskritising' lines, in which followers were asked to give up meat and liquor in favor of khadi.
• However, the Santhals were reported to be engaging in large-scale illegal liquor distillation under the banner of Gandhi. While most large zamindars remained loyal to the government, small landlords and better-off tenants joined the movement.
• However, increased lower-class militancy has dampened the enthusiasm of small landlords and better-off tenants on several occasions.
• Chowkidars were particularly despised because they served as spies for the government while also acting as retainers for local landlords.
• During the civil disobedience movement, there was a no chowkidari tax campaign in Eastern India, which forced the chowkidars to resign.
• The movement against the tax and for the resignation of Chowkidars began in Bihar in May, as the salt agitation had limited scope due to the province's land-locked nature.
• The government retaliated by seizing property worth hundreds of thousands of rupees in exchange for a few rupees in tax, as well as by beatings and torture.
• The occupation sparked daily protests outside the ashram, and a visit by Rajendra Prasad and Abdul Ban from Patna became the occasion for a massive mass rally, which was disrupted by a lathi charge in which Rajendra Prasad was injured.
• The movement marked a watershed moment in the evolution of India's civil disobedience movement.

Satyagraha in Peshawar

• Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, also known as Badshah Khan and Frontier Gandhi, led the demonstrations and satyagraha in Peshawar.
• Similar marches and salt law defiance took place across the country after Gandhiji completed the salt law defiance ritual.
• Gaffar Khan established the Khudai Khidmatgars, also known as the Red Shirts.
• The arrest of Congress leaders in the NWFP on April 23, 1930, sparked mass demonstrations in Peshawar, which was virtually in the hands of the crowds for more than a week until order was restored on May 4.
• This was followed by a reign of terror and the imposition of martial law.
• A section of Garhwal Rifles soldiers refused to fire on an unarmed crowd, even if it meant facing a court-martial and lengthy prison terms.
• The British government was concerned by this increase in a province with a 92% Muslim population.
• This incident demonstrated how nationalism had infiltrated the Indian Army, the primary tool of British rule.

Satyagraha in Sholapur (Textile Workers Strike)

• This industrial town in southern Maharashtra saw the most vehement opposition to Gandhi's arrest.
• Textile workers began a strike on May 7 and, along with other residents, set fire to liquor stores and other symbols of government authority such as railway stations, police stations, municipal buildings, law courts, and so on.
• The activists established a virtual parallel government, which could only be dismantled by declaring martial law after May 16.

Satyagraha in Gujarat

• The effects were felt in the Kheda district's Anand, Borsad, and Nadiad areas, Surat district's Bardoli, and Bharuch district's Jambusar.
• Here, a determined anti-tax movement was organized, including a refusal to pay land revenue
• Villagers crossed the border with their families and belongings into neighboring princely states (such as Baroda) and camped out in the open for months to avoid police repression.
• In retaliation, the police destroyed their property and confiscated their land.

Satyagraha in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Central Province

• In these areas, forest laws such as grazing and timber restrictions, as well as the public sale of illegally obtained forest produce, were flouted.
• Tribals played an active role in Central Province, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.

Satyagraha in United Province (No Rent Campaign)

• In the United Province, a no-revenue and a no-rent campaign were organized.
• Under no revenue campaign, the Zamindars were instructed to not pay the land revenue to the government.
• Under the no-rent campaign, tenants were to not pay rent to the Zamindars.
• Since most of the zamindars were loyalists, the campaign virtually became a No Rent Campaign.
• In October 1930, the activity picked up, particularly in Agra and Rai Bareilly.

Satyagraha in Manipur & Nagaland

• Rani Gaidinliu, a Naga spiritual leader who followed her cousin Haipou Jadonang, born in what is now the state of Manipur, raised the banner of revolt against foreign rule at the age of 13.
• She urged the people not to pay taxes or work for the British, following in the tradition of the rest of India's freedom struggle.
• As the reformist religious movement became increasingly political, British authorities apprehended and executed Haipou Jadonang in 1931 on treason charges. Rani Gaidinliu has been the subject of a manhunt.
• She eluded the British until October 1932, when she was finally apprehended. She was eventually sentenced to life in prison.
• It was the Interim Government of India, established in 1946, that ordered her release from Tura jail.

Conclusion

Though the Civil Disobedience movement was an all-India movement launched under Gandhi's leadership, there was no consistent pattern in terms of responses from various social groups. In some cases, strictly nonviolent protest methods were used, but there were also instances of participants resorting to violence. Unlike the Non-cooperation-Khilafat movement, which was withdrawn following the violent Chauri-Chaura incident, Gandhi stated unequivocally that, while the Civil Disobedience movement would be launched on the basis of non-violence, he would not withdraw it if violence erupted during the course of the movement.

FAQs

Q1: What is Satyagraha?

Q2: Which were the significant places associated with the Satyagraha movement in India?

Q3: What was the impact of the Champaran Satyagraha?

Q4: How did the Kheda Satyagraha differ from the Champaran movement?

Q5: What was the significance of the Salt March in the context of Satyagraha?

MCQs

1. Who is credited with developing the concept of Satyagraha?

(a) Jawaharlal Nehru

(b) B.R. Ambedkar

(c) Mahatma Gandhi

(d) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

2. In which year did the Champaran Satyagraha take place?

(a) 1916

(b) 1917

(c) 1918

(d) 1919

3. What was the primary objective of the Kheda Satyagraha?

(a) Indigo cultivation

(b) Land revenue tax relief

(c) Independence from British rule

(d) Education for farmers

4. Which significant event marked the start of the Salt March?

(a) Dandi March

(b) Quit India Movement

(c) Civil Disobedience Movement

(d) Non-Cooperation Movement

5. What was the impact of the Salt March on the Indian independence movement?

(a) It was a failure.

(b) It united the Indian population against British rule.

(c) It had no significant impact.

(d) It led to immediate independence.

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers 

Q1: Analyze the role of Satyagraha in the Indian independence movement.

Answer: Satyagraha played a transformative role in the Indian independence movement by introducing the concept of nonviolent resistance as a legitimate means of protest. Gandhi's philosophy of Satyagraha emphasized truth and moral courage, mobilizing masses across various demographics. Events such as the Champaran, Kheda, and Salt March Satyagrahas not only highlighted the injustices of British colonial rule but also fostered a sense of unity and national identity among Indians. The effectiveness of these movements in garnering international attention and support significantly advanced the cause of Indian independence, showcasing the power of collective nonviolent action.

Q2: Discuss the significance of the Salt March in the context of Satyagraha.

Answer: The Salt March, led by Gandhi in 1930, was a landmark event in the Satyagraha movement and Indian history. It symbolized the rejection of British salt laws, galvanizing widespread participation in the struggle for independence. The 240-mile march from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi underscored the effectiveness of nonviolent protest, attracting global attention to the Indian independence movement. By producing salt from seawater, Gandhi directly challenged British authority and mobilized a mass movement that included people from diverse backgrounds. This act of civil disobedience became a rallying point for future resistance efforts, significantly escalating the demand for independence.

Q3: Evaluate the impact of the Kheda Satyagraha on Indian agriculture and society.

Answer: The Kheda Satyagraha of 1918 had a profound impact on Indian agriculture and society, particularly for the agrarian community facing drought and economic distress. By demanding relief from oppressive land revenue taxes during a famine, the movement highlighted the exploitation of farmers under colonial rule. The success of the Satyagraha led to the government suspending tax collection and provided a template for future resistance movements. It strengthened the bond between farmers and the nationalist movement, fostering awareness of collective rights and resistance against injustice. The Kheda Satyagraha also played a crucial role in establishing Gandhi as a prominent leader in India, emphasizing nonviolent resistance as a powerful tool for social and political change.

Previous Year Questions on  Satyagraha at Different Places

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2016

Question: What was the primary aim of the Champaran Satyagraha?

Answer: The primary aim of the Champaran Satyagraha was to address the grievances of indigo farmers who were subjected to exploitative practices by British planters. The movement highlighted the farmers' plight and led to significant reforms in the indigo industry, marking an early victory for the Indian nationalist movement.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2018

Question: "Critically evaluate the role of Satyagraha in the struggle for Indian independence." 

Answer: Satyagraha was pivotal in the struggle for Indian independence, transforming the approach to resistance against colonial rule. Gandhi’s emphasis on nonviolence and truth mobilized masses and fostered a national identity. Movements like Champaran, Kheda, and the Salt March galvanized public support, transcending regional and social barriers. These acts of civil disobedience highlighted British injustices and galvanized international attention to India’s plight. Satyagraha not only empowered the Indian populace but also laid the foundation for future struggles, demonstrating that moral force could effectively challenge colonial oppression. However, the reliance on nonviolence faced challenges during moments of communal violence, raising questions about its effectiveness in all circumstances. Despite these complexities, Satyagraha remains a cornerstone of India’s struggle for independence, showcasing the power of peaceful protest in achieving political goals.