Page 1 of 15
European Journal of Business &
Social Sciences
Available at https://ejbss.org/
ISSN: 2235-767X
Volume 07 Issue 03
March 2019
Available online: https://ejbss.org/ P a g e | 447
Role of Mahatma Gandhi in India’s Struggle for Freedom
ABHISHEK MOGA
Assistant Professor, Dept. of History
S.D. (PG) College, Panipat
ABSTRACT
Gandhi’s contribution to the Indian freedom movement cannot be measured in words. He, along
with other freedom fighters like Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and his Azadi Hind Fauj,
compelled the British to leave India. His policies and agendas were non-violent and his words
were the source of inspiration for millions. One of the greatest men in the history of India is
unarguably Mahatma Gandhi. The way he gave shape and character to India's freedom struggle
is worthy of a standing ovation. He sacrificed his own life for the sake of his country. The
respect that he earned for himself despite leading a simple lifestyle is much appreciable.
Mahatma Gandhi played a pivotal role in the freedom struggle of India. His non violent ways
and peaceful methods were the foundation for gaining independence from the British. Indian
nationalism achieved its highest peak under Gandhi’s leadership. No doubt it was he, who
organized the movement on mass basis and tried his best to unite both Hindus and Muslims,
uplift the economic and social status of the untouchables. Gandhi evolved and developed a
powerful non-violent method, giving it the name Satyagraha. Though in contemporary period
there are various criticisms on him but we must observe him from that particular period of
freedom struggle.
Keywords: Freedom, Struggle, Criticisms, Movement, Independence
Introduction:
Mahatma Gandhi’s role and contribution to India’s Freedom Movement was extraordinary and
exemplary. He has demonstrated his grounds of self-construal that has widely affected his
judgment and decision making throughout his provision as an activist. Self-construal extents to
Page 2 of 15
European Journal of Business &
Social Sciences
Available at https://ejbss.org/
ISSN: 2235-767X
Volume 07 Issue 03
March 2019
Available online: https://ejbss.org/ P a g e | 448
which independently of others and interdependently with others. Independent self-construal refers
to an individual that maintains as a separate and self-contained individual in attitudes, traits and
abilities from others. In contrast, interdependent self-construal refers to an individual that has a
sense of connectedness with others and attention to bond affiliation among other individuals.
Gandhi depicted his independent-self by not simply wanting the retreatment of British from India
and declaring independence; but to imply a whole different type of society on India. For instance,
he refused to replace the Indians on British’s realm – because Gandhi believed that if that was all
they have achieved, hence the ‘true freedom’ has yet to be achieved. On the other hand, Gandhi
wanted to banish the value system and the life style of the British and totally substituted with a
simpler, more spiritual as well as communal life.
Gandhiji was born in a well to do Hindu family of Porbander in Gujarat on October2, 1869. He
went to England for studies in 1881 and qualified for bar. He returned to India in 1891 and began
his practice in Bombay High Court. In 1893 he went to South Africa. He stayed there up to 1914
with two breaks in between. He had evolved in his struggle against racialism [apartheid] in South
Africa a new form of struggle- non cooperation- and a new technique of struggle Satyagrah
which could be practiced against the British in India. He would accept sufferings willingly in the
course of struggle against the wrong-doer. He would never bow down before evil whatever the
consequences. In Gandhi’s eyes non-violence was not a weapon of the weak and the cowardly.
Only the strong and brave could practice it.
Another important aspect of Gandhi’s outlook was that he would not separate thought and
practice, belief and action. Gandhiji had an immense faith in the capacity of the common people
to fight. Gandhiji returned to India in 1915 at the age of 46. In 1916 he founded the Sabarmati
Ashram at Ahmadabad where his friends and followers were to learn and practice the ideas of
truth and non-violence. He also set out to experiment with his new method of struggle.
Champaran Satyagraha [1917]:
Gandhiji first experience in Satyagrah came in 1917 in Champaran, a district in Bihar. The
peasantry on the indigo plantations was excessively oppressed by the European planters. They
Page 3 of 15
European Journal of Business &
Social Sciences
Available at https://ejbss.org/
ISSN: 2235-767X
Volume 07 Issue 03
March 2019
Available online: https://ejbss.org/ P a g e | 449
were compelled to grow indigo on at least 3\20th of their land and to sell it at prices fixed by the
planters.
Having heard of Gandhi’s campaigns in South Africa, several peasants of Champaran invited
him to come and help them. Gandhiji reached Champaran in 1917 and began to conduct a
detailed inquiry into the conditions of the peasantry. The district officials ordered him to leave
Champaran, but he defied the order and was willing to face trial and imprisonment. This forced
the Government to cancel its earlier order and to appoint a committee of inquiry on which
Gandhiji served as a member. Ultimately the disabilities from which the peasantry was suffering
were reduced and Gandhiji had won his first battle of civil obedience in India.
Ahmadabad Mill Strike [1918]:
In 1918, Gandhiji intervened in a dispute between the workers and mill-owners of Ahmadabad.
He advised the workers to go on strike and to demand a 35% increase in wages. He insisted that
the workers should not use violence against the mill-owners during the strike. He undertook
a fast unto death to strengthen the workers resolve to continue the strike. His fast put pressure on
the mill-owners who relented on the fourth day and agreed to give the workers a 35% increase in
wages.
Kheda Peasant Struggle [1918]:
In 1918 crops failed in the Kheda district in Gujarat but the government refused to reduce land
revenue and insisted on its full collection. Gandhiji supported the peasants and advised them to
withhold payment of revenue till their demand for its remission was met. The struggle was
withdrawn when it was learnt that the government had issued instructions that revenue should be
recovered only from those peasants who could afford to pay. Sardar Vallabhbhai
Patel became Gandhiji’s follower during this struggle.
These experiences brought Gandhiji in close contact with the masses whose interests he actively
exposed all his life. In time he became the symbol of poor India, nationalist India and rebellious
India. Three causes were very dear to Gandhiji’s among the masses. Thousands of peasants in
U.P and Bengal responded to the call of non-co-operation. In the Punjab the Sikhs were leading a
