Key Stages in India’s Path to Independence
1. Gandhi and Civil Disobedience
- Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948): Led nonviolent resistance (Satyagraha).
- Encouraged boycotts, strikes, salt making, tax refusal, etc.
- Promoted unity across castes and religions.
- Assassinated in 1948 for attempting Hindu-Muslim unity.
2. Major Incidents:
- 1916: Gandhi’s call for a united India.
- 1919 Amritsar Massacre: British troops killed 379 protesters.
- United Indians against British rule.
- Led to Simon Commission (1922) and Diarchy (shared rule).
3. Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms:
- Promised more Indian participation in governance.
4. Salt March (1930):
- Gandhi boiled sea water to protest salt monopoly.
- Demanded:
- End to discriminatory laws.
- Release of prisoners.
Reduction in government spending.