●  The Champaran Satyagraha of 1917 was the first satyagraha movement led by Mahatma Gandhi in British India and is considered a historically important rebellion in the Indian independence movement. It was a farmer's uprising that took place in Champaran district of Bihar in the Indian subcontinent, during the British colonial period. The farmers were protesting against having to grow indigo with barely any payment for it.

●  Champaran Satyagraha (1917) was Gandhi's first civil disobedience movement in India, triggered by the exploitation of indigo farmers in Champaran, Bihar.

●  Farmers were forced to grow indigo under the Tinkathia system (3/20th of land) and sell it at fixed low prices; German synthetic dyes later replaced indigo, prompting European planters to extort illegal dues and high rents.

•   Rajkumar Shukla, a local farmer, invited Gandhi to investigate the issue.

•   Gandhi, joined by Rajendra Prasad, Mazharul Haq, Mahadev Desai, Narhari Parekh, and J.B. Kripalani, defied government orders to leave and chose passive resistance.

•   The government relented, allowed an enquiry, and made Gandhi part of an official committee.

•   Gandhi got the Tinkathia system abolished, and negotiated 25% compensation for illegal dues.

•   Within a decade, European planters exited the region.

•   Other key leaders involved: Brajkishore Prasad, Anugrah Narayan Sinha, Ramnavmi Prasad, and Shambhusharan Varma.

●  Two mass movements were organized in 1919-1922 to oppose the British rule in India are the Khilafat movement and the Non-Cooperation movement.

●  The movements had a unified plan of action of non-violence and non-cooperation.It saw the unification of Congress and the Muslim League.

• In September 1920, a special session of the Congress was held in Calcutta. The Congress approved the Non-Cooperation Programme until:
• The wrongs in Punjab and Khilafat were addressed, and
• Swaraj (self-rule) was achieved.

The programme included:

• Boycott of government-run schools and colleges.
• Boycott of British law courts, with justice to be provided through village panchayats.
• Boycott of legislative councils:
• Some leaders like C.R. Das initially opposed this.
• However, they eventually followed Congress discipline and boycotted the November 1920 elections.
• The majority of the voters also chose not to participate.
• Boycott of foreign cloth and promotion of khadi (homespun cloth).
• People were encouraged to practice hand-spinning.
• Renunciation of government titles and honours.
• A second phase of the programme could involve:
• Mass civil disobedience,
• Resignation from government services, and
• Non-payment of taxes.

Guiding principles during the movement:

• Maintain non-violence at all times.
• Gandhi Ji called off the movement after the violence in Chauri Chaura Incident.
• Promote Hindu-Muslim unity.
• Work for the eradication of untouchability.

Nagpur Session (December 1920) of the Indian National Congress marked major developments:

• Non-Cooperation Programme Approved: The Congress officially endorsed the non-cooperation movement.
• Change in Congress Goal:
• The previous goal of achieving self-government through constitutional methods was replaced.
• New objective: Attaining Swaraj through peaceful and legitimate means, signifying a shift to extra-constitutional mass struggle.
• Organisational Restructuring:
• A 15-member Congress Working Committee (CWC) was established to lead the party.
• Provincial Congress Committees were reorganised on linguistic lines.
• Ward Committees were introduced.
• The membership fee was lowered to four annas, making it more accessible.
• Gandhi’s Declaration: He proclaimed that Swaraj could be achieved within a year if non-cooperation was followed fully.
• Revolutionary Support: Several revolutionary groups, particularly from Bengal, extended support to the Congress programme.
• Exit of Moderate Leaders:
• Leaders like Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Annie Besant, G.S. Kharpade, and B.C. Pal left the Congress over differences in approach.
• They believed in constitutional and legal methods of struggle.
• Some, like Surendranath Banerjea, formed the Indian National Liberal Federation, but remained marginal in later politics.
• Impact on National Movement:
• Congress adoption of the Khilafat-led non-cooperation movement revitalised the freedom struggle.
• The years 1921–1922 witnessed massive public participation and political awakening.

• After the Cripps Mission failed, Gandhi proposed a non-violent mass movement demanding British withdrawal and resistance to any Japanese invasion.

•   Gandhi’s Call to Action: "Do or Die" – either free India or die trying; no compromise with colonial slavery.

Why Start the Movement Now?

• Cripps Mission failure exposed British refusal to grant real constitutional concessions, making silence look like acceptance of British dominance.
• Rising prices, scarcity of essentials like rice and salt, and harsh policies like boat commandeering in Bengal and Orissa increased public discontent.
• British military setbacks in Southeast Asia and the Japanese threat at India’s doorstep reduced public confidence in British rule.
• Discriminatory evacuation (e.g., Black Road for Indians, White Road for Europeans) during British retreat from Southeast Asia highlighted racism and shattered the image of white supremacy.
• Congress wanted to prepare the masses for a possible Japanese attack.

The Quit India Resolution (August 8, 1942)

• The Congress Working Committee (CWC) met at Wardha on July 14, 1942, and accepted the proposal for a struggle.
• The resolution was passed at Gowalia Tank, Bombay, proposed by Nehru, seconded by Sardar Patel.
• Demanded immediate British withdrawal.
• Pledged free India’s fight against Fascism and imperialism.
• Proposed formation of a Provisional Government post British exit.
• Sanctioned a mass civil disobedience movement under Gandhi’s leadership.

Gandhi’s Instructions to Various Groups

• Government servants: Stay in job but declare loyalty to Congress.
• Soldiers: Don’t quit army but refuse to shoot fellow Indians.
• Students: Leave studies if prepared for the cause.
• Peasants: Pay rent only if zamindars oppose British; else, refuse rent.
• Princes: Support people and accept their sovereignty.
• Subjects of princely states: Back ruler only if anti-British; declare loyalty to Indian nation.