Explanation: The Non Cooperation Movement was a pivotal phase in the Indian struggle for independence, initiated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920. The movement was a response to the British colonial policies and was significantly influenced by two major events: the Khilafat issue and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
The Khilafat issue was a religious concern for Muslims in India. After World War I, the Ottoman Empire, which was the seat of the Caliphate, was dismembered by the Treaty of Sevres in 1920. This treaty threatened the position of the Caliph, who was the spiritual leader of Muslims worldwide. Indian Muslims, under the leadership of the Khilafat Committee, demanded that the British government protect the Caliphate. This issue became a rallying point for Muslims and was a significant factor in the launch of the Non Cooperation Movement.
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre, which occurred on April 13, 1919, was a brutal act of violence by the British colonial forces. A peaceful gathering of thousands of unarmed men, women, and children in Amritsar was fired upon by troops under the command of Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer. The massacre resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries. This event deeply outraged the Indian populace and further fueled the desire for independence.
The Non Cooperation Movement was launched to protest against these events and to demand swaraj (self-rule) through non-violent means. Gandhi called for a boycott of British institutions, including schools, courts, and legislative councils, and encouraged the use of khadi (hand-spun cloth) to boycott British goods. The movement aimed to weaken the British colonial rule by non-cooperation and to foster a sense of unity among Indians.
The movement was successful in mobilizing a large section of the Indian population and in creating a sense of national unity. However, it also faced challenges, including the withdrawal of support from the Khilafat Committee after the Caliphate was abolished in 1924 and the Chauri Chaura incident, which led to the suspension of the movement by Gandhi in 1922.
In summary, the Non Cooperation Movement was launched in response to the Khilafat issue and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, which were significant events that galvanized public opinion against the British colonial rule. The movement aimed to achieve swaraj through non-violent means and played a crucial role in the Indian struggle for independence.