Question

Why did Mahatma Gandhi start the Civil disobedience movement? How did this movement unite the country? Explain.

Answer 1

Hint: The Civil Disobedience movement in India began on 12th march, 1930. It was started by Mahatma Gandhi against the British monopoly over salt in India.

Complete answer: The salt act of Britain did not allow the Indians to manufacture their own salt for domestic purpose. The citizens were forced to pay a hefty amount as salt tax and buy foreign salt. Gandhi gave a call to the Indians to defy the British salt act and started satyagraha or mass civil obedience. On november 12 Gandhi began his civil disobedience by walking 241 mile from Sabarmati to Dandi on the Arabian sea coast. 78 people followed him. On his way, the march attracted more and more people who joined him. When the march reached Dandi there were ten thousand people. Mahatma Gandhi led prayers and made salt the next morning. He had defied the British law.
Following this movement, other nationalists around the country also followed the same and nearly 60,000 people were arrested for violating the law. The Dandi march had a massive response in India. It made the people more enthusiastic. They started circulating political pamphlets which were banned by the British. Gandhi gave a call to the women to start spinning their wheels. Women also participated in picketing of foreign goods, liquor shops. Involvement of the women was an extraordinary involvement.

Note: The first civil disobedience made a terrific impact as compared to the Non Cooperation movement that was held earlier. While answering this question remember that the salt satyagraha which is the first Civil Disobedience act was also known as the Dandi march because it took place in Dandi.