Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–34)

Key Pointers

Background: Simon Commission (1927) boycotted ('Simon Go Back'; Lajpat Rai died after a lathi charge, 1928); Nehru Report (1928) (dominion status); Jinnah's 14 points (1929); Irwin's Declaration (Oct 1929); Bardoli Satyagraha (1928) under Patel ('Sardar'); Gandhi's 11 demands.
Lahore Session (December 1929, Nehru presiding): Purna Swaraj resolution; tricolour hoisted on the Ravi bank; 26 January 1930 celebrated as Independence Day.
Dandi March: 12 March 1930 from Sabarmati with 78 followers to Dandi (241 miles, 24 days); Gandhi broke the Salt Law on 6 April 1930.
Spread: C. Rajagopalachari (Vedaranyam), K. Kelappan (Payyanur); Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Khudai Khidmatgars (NWFP); Peshawar (Garhwal Rifles refused to fire); Dharasana salt works (Sarojini Naidu, Imam Sahib); Sholapur; Rani Gaidinliu (Naga); strong women's participation; no-tax campaigns.
Round Table Conferences: First (1930) (Congress absent) → Gandhi–Irwin Pact (5 March 1931): movement withdrawn; prisoners released; salt making allowed on coasts; Congress to attend RTC. Karachi Session (1931, Patel): Fundamental Rights and National Economic Programme. Second RTC (Sept–Dec 1931): Gandhi attended as Congress's sole representative; failed over communal issues.
Communal Award (16 August 1932, Ramsay MacDonald): Separate electorates for depressed classes; Gandhi's fast in Yerwada led to the Poona Pact (24 September 1932) with Ambedkar (reserved seats within general electorates). Third RTC (1932).
Revival and end: Movement relaunched January 1932; Gandhi launched the Harijan Sevak Sangh (1932) and Harijan; formally withdrawn in 1934.
Outcome: Government of India Act 1935; wider participation by women, trading classes; but limited Muslim and Dalit participation.

MCQs

Q1. The Dandi March began on: (a) 6 April 1930 (b) 12 March 1930 (c) 26 January 1930 (d) 5 March 1931 Answer: (b).

Q2. The Poona Pact (1932) was signed between: (a) Gandhi and Jinnah (b) Gandhi and Ambedkar (c) Gandhi and Irwin (d) Nehru and Ambedkar Answer: (b).

Q3. The Karachi Session (1931) of Congress is notable for: (a) Purna Swaraj resolution (b) Fundamental Rights and Economic Programme resolution (c) Split in Congress (d) Quit India resolution Answer: (b).