Question

What is meant by the idea of Satyagraha?

Answer 1

Hint: Mahatma Gandhi introduced the concept of Satyagraha. He firmly believed that India can attain its independence with a concept like Satyagraha.

Complete answer: The idea of Satyagraha stressed largely upon the power of truth and the need to seek the truth. It was proposed that if the cause was valid and if the struggle was truly against the injustice, then physical forces were not required to fight the oppressor. It was based on the distinctive technique of nonviolent protest which was first forged by Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa. Later, when returned to India in 1915, he launched a countrywide campaign against the Rowlatt Act (1919), commonly known as 'Rowlatt Satyagraha' in which Gandhiji asked people to protest peacefully against this Act, as the causes of the protests were true and the fight was against injustice. Then on 12th March 1930, he started Dandi March which is also known as 'Salt Satyagraha'. This Satyagraha was against the most disliked laws in British India - Salt Law, acc. to which states had a monopoly in manufacture and sale of salt. Salt was vital to the daily needs of Indians and yet they were forbidden from making salt. So by making the 'state monopoly' over salt as his target, Gandhiji launched Salt Satyagraha from his ashram at Sabarmati.

Note: India achieved its Independence on 15th August 1947. The long British suppression came to an end and ideas like Satyagraha proved very efficient in mobilising people against the oppressors.