How did Mohandas Gandhi contribute to the Indian independence movement?A.He worked with the United States to supply weapons to Indian rebel groups.B.He convinced British leaders to allow Indians to gradually earn political freedoms.C.He encouraged the Indian people to refuse to obey unjust British laws.D.He first proposed the idea of dividing Indian territory between Muslims and Hindus.SUBMITarrow_backPREVIOUS

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (ISO: Mōhanadāsa Karamacaṁda Gāṁdhī;[pron 1] 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist and political ethicist who employed nonviolent resistance to lead the successful campaign for India's independence from British rule. He inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. The honorific Mahātmā (from Sanskrit 'great-souled, venerable'), first applied to him in South Africa in 1914, is now used throughout the world.Born and raised in a Hindu family in coastal Gujarat, Gandhi trained in the law at the Inner Temple in London and was called to the bar in June 1891, at the age of 22. After two uncertain years in India, where he was unable to start a successful law practice, Gandhi moved to South Africa in 1893 to represent an Indian merchant in a lawsuit. He went on to live in South Africa for 21 years. There, Gandhi raised a family and first employed nonviolent resistance in a campaign for civil rights. In 1915, aged 45, he returned to India and soon set about organising peasants, farmers, and urban labourers to protest against discrimination and excessive land-tax.Assuming leadership of the Indian National Congress in 1921, Gandhi led nationwide campaigns for easing poverty, expanding women's rights, building religious and ethnic amity, ending untouchability, and, above all, achieving swaraj or self-rule. Gandhi adopted the short dhoti woven with hand-spun yarn as a mark of identification with India's rural poor. He began to live in a self-sufficient residential community, to eat simple food, and undertake long fasts as a means of both introspection and political protest. Bringing anti-colonial nationalism to the common Indians, Gandhi led them in challenging the British-imposed salt tax with the 400 km (250 mi) Dandi Salt March in 1930 and in calling for the British to quit India in 1942. He was imprisoned many times and for many years in both South Africa and India.Gandhi's vision of an independent India based on religious pluralism was challenged in the early 1940s by a Muslim nationalism which demanded a separate homeland for Muslims within British India. In August 1947, Britain granted independence, but the British Indian Empire was partitioned into two dominions, a Hindu-majority India and a Muslim-majority Pakistan. As many displaced Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs made their way to their new lands, religious violence broke out, especially in the Punjab and Bengal. Abstaining from the official celebration of independence, Gandhi visited the affected areas, attempting to alleviate distress. In the months following, he undertook several hunger strikes to stop the religious violence. The last of these was begun in Delhi on 12 January 1948, when Gandhi was 78. The belief that Gandhi had been too resolute in his defence of both Pakistan and Indian Muslims spread among some Hindus in India. Among these was Nathuram Godse, a militant Hindu nationalist from Pune, western India, who assassinated Gandhi by firing three bullets into his chest at an interfaith prayer meeting in Delhi on 30 January 1948.Gandhi's birthday, 2 October, is commemorated in India as Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday, and worldwide as the International Day of Nonviolence. Gandhi is considered to be the Father of the Nation in post-colonial India. During India's nationalist movement and in several decades immediately after, he was also commonly called Bapu (Gujarati endearment for "father", roughly "papa",[2] "daddy"[3]).

Gandhiji was the first leader during the freedom struggle who could mobilise the common people for anational movement. By 1919, Gandhiji had become a popular figure most endeared to the masses. He wasassociated with numerous movements that aimed at independence as well as a reformed society. Themovements under him were non-violent. He propagated 'Satyagraha' and ahimsa'. The methods he askedpeople to follow were very simple and hence became popular but the results were effective and longlasting.In 1919 (after the First World War), the Government of India Act, also known as the Montagu- ChelmsfordReforms, was passed. The important features of the act were as follows:The Central Legislative Council was now to consist of two houses The Imperial Legislative Assembly and theCouncil of State. This system was the bicameral system. The majority in both houses was made up ofelected members.The provinces were to follow the dual government system or dyarchy. The state subjects were clearlydemarcated into two divisions-reserved and transferred. The subjects considered more important (e.g.,finance and police) were categorised under the reserved list. This list was under the control of the governorand his council. Subjects considered less important (e.g., public health, education) were put under theministers. These ministers were responsible to the legislature. Hence, power still rested in British hands.The Government of India Act 1919 disappointed the Indians. There were protests all over. The British triedto control the situation by passing the Rowlatt Act (1919). This Act authorised the government to imprisonany person without trial or conviction in a court of law. It was branded by the name of 'Black Act'. Gandhijilaunched an anti-Rowlatt Satyagraha. He gave message to Indians that 6 April 1919 was to be observed as aday of hartal (strike), fasting and prayer. The Act was widely criticised.a. Which act was known as Black Act? Give reason.b. Name the person who propagated the ideals of satyagraha and swaraj.c. Define dyarchy.

The Indian Independence Movement, was a series of historic events in South Asia with the ultimate aim of ending British rule in India. It lasted until 1947, when the Indian Independence Act 1947 was passed.

The success of Mahatma Gandhi lay in transforming both political and non political movements into a unified nationalist movement. Discuss

Gandhi contributed towards women empowerment?Question 7AnswerTrueFalse