M. K. Gandhi: The Satyagraha Movement and its...

M. K. Gandhi: The Satyagraha Movement and its Contribution to India’s Independence

Author Name : Dipanwita Chakraborty

ABSTRACT

 In the world of philosophy Gandhi added a new facet of non-violence through Satyagraha campaigns. Gandhi did not believe in bloody revolution He wanted to bring about change in politics and society by changing people’s hearts and minds. He believed that change of human heart is possible only through Satyagraha. Satyagraha means firmness (Agraha) in truth (Satya) and to get the truth, we need non-violence and self-sacrifice. Satyagraha is based on love and is known as the method of conversion. It is ‘truth force’, ‘soul force ‘and’ love force’. Thus it equips men with moral power. It is also known as a ‘universal force’ as it eliminates the difference between friend and foe, kinsman and stranger, man and woman, young and old.  At the outset, Gandhi successfully operated a non-violent Satyagraha movement in South Africa. The successful campaign in South Africa became an eye opener to those who believed in brutal power and oppression. Later on,. in India he carried out various Satyagraha movements. Champaran Satyagraha was the first Satyagraha movement in India led by M.K. Gandhi in 1917. After that the successive Satyagraha campaigns in India were  Kheda Satyagraha, Anti-Rowlett Satyagraha movement, combined Khilafat Non-cooperation movement, Civil Disobedience movement which began with the famous Dandi March, followed by  individual Satyagraha and finally Quit India movement. However, it can be said that Gandhi’s Satyagraha campaigns made a huge contribution on the way to India’s independence.

Keywords:  Independence, Movement, Non-violence, Satyagraha.