Civil Disobedience Movement in India - History, Causes, Impact & UPSC Notes

The Civil Disobedience Movement was an important and defining moment of the movement for India's independence against British colonial rule. The organized movement of non-violent resistance with refusal to obey the chosen laws, demands, or commands of the British government was initiated in 1930 by Mahatma Gandhi. It was a very significant step toward getting India completely independent (Purna Swaraj) as it played a great role in determining the Indian freedom struggle course.

Civil Disobedience Movement is relevant to UPSC Civil Services Examination, specifically falling under General Studies Paper-I. The paper covers aspects of Indian history, notably significant events, freedom movement, and contributions made through various leaders and organizations. 

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What is Civil Disobedience Movement?

Mahatma Gandhi led the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930. It symbolized non-violent resistance as the Indian citizens collectively refused to follow unjust laws and regulations enacted by the British against them. It began with a symbolic Dandi March, and gradually evolved into an all-inclusive mass movement with millions of Indians joining the cause. This included breaking Salt Laws, refusing to buy goods imported from Britain, paid no taxes, and boycotted institutions like schools and colleges.

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History of Civil Disobedience Movement in India

The background of the Civil Disobedience movement was characterized by a spate of unsatisfactory political developments and repressive measures taken by the British authorities:

• The Simon Commission (1927-28) constituted to examine constitutional reforms in India was boycotted by Indian leaders since it did not include Indian representation. The report of the commission was also not accepted, which gave way to mass discontent.
• The Indian National Congress, under Jawaharlal Nehru's president-ship, declared complete independence, or Purna Swaraj, as the goal in the session at Lahore in December 1929. January 26, 1930 was declared to be observed as Independence Day.
• The British economic policies in India caused them to severely exploit and depose the masses of India. The oppressive nature of the taxes and their monopoly over the essential commodities aggravated the situation.
• In most parts of the nation, nationalistic feelings emerged; at least, some inspiration towards this came from such towering leaders as Gandhi, Nehru, and Subhas Chandra Bose. Other global independence movements contributed toward Indian aspirations as well.

Read the article on the List of Indian National Movements!

Civil Disobedience Movement had some characteristics differentiating it from earlier movements:

• Satyagraha or Nonviolent Resistance: It was based on the concept of non-violence and civil resistance; it was a movement that was purely based on the principle of peaceful defiance against the law.
• Mass Mobilization: The Civil Disobedience Movement, unlike earlier movements, was highly represented by all classes of people, including women, students, peasants, and workers.
• Symbolic Protest: The Dandi March by Gandhi, who prepared salt from seawater, became an act of symbolic defiance against the British Salt Acts, which inspired similar protests all over the country.
• Boycotts: Boycott was directed against British goods, including manufactured ones, government schools, colleges, courts, and legislatures. People were encouraged to use indigenous products and make themselves self-reliant.
• Picketing and Demonstrations: Non-violent picketing of the liquor shops as well as foreign cloth shops was highly critical, while large scale demonstrations were formed.
• Tax Refusal: Refusing to pay taxes, right from land revenue taxes to almost all the other taxes, this was one major form of protest against the economic policies of the British.

Read the article on the Freedom Fighters of India and their Contributions!

Causes of Civil Disobedience Movement in India

The movement was inspired due to a number of reasons, which indicate the overall discontent towards the British regime:

• The wealth of the country, India, was systematically drawn out through taxation and numerous trade policies to the favour of the British.
• Simon Commission rejection and disappointment due to petty political reforms added fuel to the desire for complete freedom.
• Repressive measures against politically active people and deprivation of civil liberties generated resentment among the people.
• Racial bias carried on by the British in all spheres of public life, from educational institutions to jobs, became a vital cause for the rebellion.
• The success of colonization in other places set the flames among the Indian leadership as well as among Indians; it instilled hopefulness and an aura of inevitable success over the Indian freedom struggle.

Read the article on the Rise of Gandhi in the Indian Freedom Struggle!

The Civil Disobedience Movement spread rapidly over other regions with vast participation as follows:

• Gandhi's 24-day, 240-mile march from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi to make salt was path-breaking and attracted the focus of the nation and, indeed, the international audience. It inspired millions to join the movement.
• Several areas witnessed key local leaders and bodies joining in. In Tamil Nadu, C. Rajagopalachari led a salt march and in Bengal, the movement found enthusiastic participation.
• Mass boycotts of British products, government schools and colleges, were undertaken. Factory workers, plantation workers, and miners went on strikes.
• Women like Sarojini Naidu, Kamala Nehru, and countless others became the forerunners in demonstrating and picketing.
• The kisan class in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh refused to pay taxes. The adivasi community also joined in, since they were resisting the British encroachment upon their forests and resources.

Read the article on the Philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi!

Impact of the Civil Disobedience Movement

This movement brought several immediate as well as long-term consequences:

• It has mobilized an enormous section of Indian society, which has created very strong political consciousness and unity across various regions and classes.
• The British government responded with severe repression through the arrest of more than 90,000 activists, and civil unrest prevailed.
• The British were forced into negotiations that led to the Gandhi-Irwin Pact (March 1931), whereby the government agreed to the release of political prisoners and allowed peaceful picketing.
• The momentum gained during this movement led to the organization of the Round Table Conferences in London. Their agenda was to discuss India's constitutional reforms.
• Failure at obtaining immediate independence re-established Indian leaders and public firmness to continue their fight with greater vigor.

Read the article on the First Round Table Conference, 1930!

Civil Disobedience Movement was important on the following grounds:

• It demonstrated Gandhi's ability to mobilize the masses from all sections of society in a unified nonviolent struggle.
• Actions like the Dandi March became symbols of resistance against colonial rule and inspired similar movements worldwide.
• The movement attracted worldwide attention, exposing the illegitimacy of British rule and garnering support for India's cause.
• This act formed the basis for subsequent movements, such as Quit India Movement in 1942, and it supported the call for complete independence.

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Limitations of the Civil Disobedience Movement

Despite all achievements, the Civil Disobedience Movement had a number of limitations:

• Although it involved masses of people, Dalits and other sections of the society were not represented, as B.R. Ambedkar and others called for it not to engage social issues appropriately.
• Although the movement advocated for non-violence, acts of violence were witnessed, which negated the philosophy at various times.
• The British Government conceded some rights but never granted full independence, disillusioning some groups.
• The leaders like Gandhi faced repeated arrest, which halted the smooth continuity and impact of the movement.

Read the article on the Swaraj Movement!

The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922) and the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934) were two of the major landmarks in India's freedom struggle. However, they had different characteristics and strategies:

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