Question

When did the Non-Cooperation Movement begin?
(A) August 1920
(B) January 1921
(C) September 1921
 (D) December 1921

Answer 1

Hint: The Non-Cooperation Movement was launched by Mahatma Gandhi with the support of Indians. The main purpose of starting this movement was to achieve complete Swaraj or full-independence. But Gandhiji had to stop the movement when it was at its peak because due to this movement, 22 policemen were burnt alive at the time of the Chauri Chaura Movement. According to him, the movement was spreading the message of violence among Indians.

Complete answer:
 There were many reasons behind the starting of the Non-Cooperation movement in India. One reason was Massacre at Jallianwala Bagh that took place on 13th April 1919. On that day, Indian people were gathered at Jallianwala Bagh to celebrate the festival of Baisakhi. There the peoples were protesting the arrest of Satyapal and Saifuddin Kitchlew so peacefully. But suddenly General Dyer started firing without any information. He closed the doors and started firing at many unarmed Sikh people. This result in the loss of lives of about 379 peoples. Some people even tried to jump from the wall located at Jallianwala Bagh. People became helpless and this incident caused injury to more than 1200 people.
After this incident, Gandhiji supported the Non-cooperation movement and with the support of Indians launched it on 1st August 1920.
The second reason for the Non-Cooperation movement was the Rowlatt Act of March 1919. Through this Act, people were arrested without any reason and were put in jail without any crime. People who protested against Britishers were arrested and kept in prison. It was considered a political awakening for the Indian people. All Indian people became alert and strongly believed that Britishers wanted to suppress Indian people by hook or by crook. Mahatma Gandhiji aimed at self-Governance and full-independence as Indian National Congress. Thus he launched the non-cooperation movement on 1st August 1920.
So, the correct answer is Option A.

Note: During the whole movement, Gandhiji appealed to Indians, to boycott British goods and to use Indian goods as much as possible. Parents took out their children from Government schools and they resigned from their jobs under British office. Bal Gangadhar Tilak died on the same day Gandhiji inaugurated the Non-Cooperation Movement.