CBSE · Class 10 · Social Science · History: Nationalism in IndiaExplain the circumstances under which the Civil Disobedience Movement was launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930. How did different social groups participate in it?

Introduction\nThe Civil Disobedience Movement, launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930, was a major milestone in the Indian national movement. It marked a significant step forward from the Non-Cooperation Movement as it aimed not just at non-cooperation with British rule, but at actively breaking colonial laws.

Circumstances Leading to the Movement

• Failure of the Simon Commission: The all-white Simon Commission was boycotted across India because it did not include any Indian members, leading to widespread anger and agitations.
• Demand for Purna Swaraj: At the Lahore Congress session in December 1929, the resolution of 'Purna Swaraj' (Complete Independence) was adopted, and January 26, 1930, was celebrated as Independence Day.
• Economic Depression: The worldwide Great Depression of 1929 severely affected Indian agriculture and trade. Prices crashed, peasants found it impossible to pay revenue, yet the colonial government refused to reduce taxes.
• The Salt Law Issue: Salt was consumed by rich and poor alike and was one of the most essential food items. The British government had a monopoly on the production of salt and levied a heavy tax on it, which Mahatma Gandhi considered oppressive and unjust.

Participation of Different Social Groups

• Rich Peasant Communities: Communities like the Patidars of Gujarat and Jats of Uttar Pradesh were active in the movement. Being producers of commercial crops, they were hard hit by the trade depression and falling prices. For them, fight for swaraj was a struggle against high revenues.
• Poor Peasantry: Small tenants found it difficult to pay their rent during the depression. They joined no-rent campaigns, often led by radicals and socialists, hoping that their unpaid rent would be remitted.
• Business Class: Indian industrialists and merchants, led by figures like Purshottamdas Thakurdas and G.D. Birla, supported the movement financially and boycotted imported goods. They wanted protection against colonial policies of imports and foreign exchange.
• Industrial Working Class: Workers did not participate in large numbers, except in Nagpur region. However, some workers adopted Gandhian ideas like boycotting foreign goods to protest against low wages and poor working conditions.
• Women: A large-scale participation of women was a remarkable feature of the movement. During Gandhi's salt march, thousands of women came out of their homes to listen to him, participated in protest marches, manufactured salt, and picketed foreign cloth and liquor shops.

Conclusion\nDespite the British suppression and arrest of leaders, the Civil Disobedience Movement demonstrated the growing political consciousness of the Indian masses and united diverse groups against British colonial rule.