📚 Part of: Delhi Sultanate And Indian Cinema Mcqs

Why did Gandhiji organise a Satyagraha in Ahmedabad Mill in 1918?

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Correct Answer: B) To demand for a higher wages for workers.

Exam Relevance: UPSC Civil Services, IAS Prelims, IAS Mains, State PSC Exams, History Exams

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes:

Satyagraha, a term coined by Mahatma Gandhi, refers to a form of non-violent resistance or civil resistance. In 1918, Gandhi organized a Satyagraha in Ahmedabad to support the workers of the textile mills who were demanding higher wages. This event marked one of the early instances of Gandhi's use of non-violent protest in India.

Common Mistakes:
  • Confusing the primary goal of the Satyagraha with other labor issues such as working conditions or revenue demands.
  • Overlooking the historical context of Gandhi's involvement in labor disputes as part of his broader strategy for Indian independence.
Explanation:

In 1918, Mahatma Gandhi organized a Satyagraha in Ahmedabad to support the workers of the textile mills who were demanding higher wages. The Satyagraha, a term coined by Gandhi, refers to a form of non-violent resistance or civil resistance. This event was significant in the context of the Indian independence movement and Gandhi's philosophy of non-violent protest.

The workers in the Ahmedabad mills were facing difficult economic conditions, with low wages and high living costs. They demanded a 35% increase in their wages to cope with the rising prices and to improve their standard of living. The mill owners, however, were not willing to meet this demand, leading to a deadlock.

Gandhi, who had recently returned from South Africa, was approached by the workers to support their cause. He agreed to lead a Satyagraha, which involved a series of non-violent protests and strikes. Gandhi himself went on a hunger strike to draw attention to the workers' plight and to pressure the mill owners to negotiate.

The Satyagraha in Ahmedabad was successful in achieving its primary goal. The mill owners eventually agreed to a 35% increase in wages, which was a significant victory for the workers and a demonstration of the power of non-violent resistance. This event marked one of the early instances of Gandhi's use of Satyagraha in India and set a precedent for future labor disputes and civil rights movements.

It is important to note that while poor working conditions were also a concern for the workers, the primary focus of the Satyagraha was the demand for higher wages. This distinction is crucial in understanding the specific goals and achievements of Gandhi's Satyagraha in Ahmedabad in 1918.

In summary, the correct answer is that Gandhi organized the Satyagraha in Ahmedabad in 1918 to demand higher wages for the workers, which was a significant step in the broader struggle for workers' rights and the Indian independence movement.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: Incorrect. While poor working conditions were a concern for the workers, the primary focus of Gandhi's Satyagraha in Ahmedabad in 1918 was to demand higher wages for the mill workers. The issue of working conditions was secondary to the demand for better pay.
  • Option B: Correct. Gandhi organized the Satyagraha in Ahmedabad in 1918 to support the workers' demand for a 35% increase in wages. This was a significant issue for the workers who were struggling with low pay and high living costs.
  • Option C: Incorrect. The high revenue demand was not the issue at hand during the Ahmedabad Mill Satyagraha. The primary concern was the wages of the workers, not the revenue demands of the government or the mill owners.
  • Option D: Incorrect. This option is not correct because the Satyagraha was indeed organized for a specific reason, which was to demand higher wages for the workers.

Mnemonic: GANDHI: Great Actions Needed for Dignity and Independence

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