8. Participation of Different Social Groups

The Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience Movements saw people from many backgrounds join the national movement. Each group had its own reasons for participating. Their roles and actions helped shape the struggle for India’s freedom.

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1. Peasants and Tribals

Peasants

• Key Point: Peasants were unhappy with high land revenue, heavy rents, and unfair treatment by landlords.

• Elaboration:
  Peasants (farmers) faced many hardships. They had to pay high taxes and rents to landlords. The British government did not help them. Landlords often exploited (took advantage of) them by charging extra money. This led to anger and frustration.

  • Examples:
    1. Refusing Taxes: In some villages, peasants stopped paying their land taxes. This was a direct protest against British rule.
    2. Boycotting Goods: Peasants stopped buying foreign cloth and goods to hurt British businesses.
    3. Violent Protests: When their demands were not met, peasants in places like Awadh sometimes turned violent, attacking property of landlords.

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Tribals

• Key Point: Tribal people suffered due to strict forest laws that took away their traditional rights.

• Elaboration:
  Tribals depended on forests for wood, fruits, and to graze their animals. British forest laws stopped them from using these resources. Many tribals lost their main source of living.

  • Examples:
    1. Defying Forest Laws: Tribals gathered wood or grazed cattle in restricted areas, breaking the rules as a form of protest.
    2. Local Rebellions: Some groups, like the Gudem rebels in Andhra Pradesh, fought against officials who enforced forest laws.
    3. Supporting Leaders: Tribals supported local leaders who promised to return their rights and land.

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2. Business Class

• Key Point: Indian industrialists and businessmen suffered due to British trade policies and supported the freedom movement to protect their businesses.

• Elaboration:
  During World War I, Indian businesses grew. However, after the war, British goods flooded Indian markets at cheaper rates, hurting local industries. Businessmen wanted economic policies that would help Indian industries flourish.

  • Examples:
    1. Funding the Movement: Many merchants provided money and resources to support political activities against the British.
    2. Supporting Swadeshi: Businessmen promoted the use of Indian-made goods and discouraged importing British goods.
    3. Forming Organizations: They set up groups like the Indian Industrial and Commercial Congress in 1920 and FICCI in 1927 to push for Indian business interests.

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3. Women

• Key Point: Women, inspired by Gandhiji, took an active part in political activities for the first time on such a large scale.

• Elaboration:
  Gandhiji encouraged women to join the freedom struggle. Women from both cities and villages stepped outside their homes to protest. They joined rallies, picketed shops, and even got arrested.

  • Examples:
    1. Picketing Shops: Women stood outside liquor and foreign cloth shops, urging people not to buy British goods.
    2. Salt March: During the famous Dandi Salt March, women made salt from seawater, defying British laws.
    3. Court Arrest: Many women leaders, such as Sarojini Naidu, offered themselves for arrest as a mark of protest.

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Overall Impact

• Key Point: Each group understood ‘Swaraj’ (self-rule) in its own way, but their combined efforts made the movement stronger.

• Elaboration:
  The idea of Swaraj meant different things to different groups:

  • For peasants and tribals, it meant no more exploitation by landlords and British officials.
  • For the business class, it stood for policies that favored Indian industries.
  • For women, it was about equality and stepping out into public life.

  Even though these groups sometimes had different goals or methods, their unity gave great strength to the movement.

  • Examples:
    1. Joint Protests: Peasants and tribals often joined urban groups in large rallies.
    2. Economic Pressure: Business support increased funds and resources for the movement.
    3. Social Change: Women’s participation saw changes in old customs, with more respect and rights for women.

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Fun Activity: Creating a Protest Simulation

Activity Steps:

1. Divide the class into small groups. Assign each group a social role: peasants, tribals, businessmen, or women.
2. Ask each group to create a short role-play where they show how their group protested during the movement.
3. Groups will perform their protest in front of the class.
4. After each performance, discuss what motivated that group and what they hoped to achieve.

Observations:

• You will notice that all groups had different problems but a common goal: freedom from British rule.
• The activity will help you understand the unity in diversity during the national movement.

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Scenario Based Questions

1. Scenario: You are a peasant facing new tax increases from the British.

   • Question: What steps might you and your fellow villagers take during the Non-Cooperation Movement?
   • Answer: We would refuse to pay the taxes and stop buying British goods as a way of protesting the new policies.

2. Scenario: You are a tribal leader whose people have lost the right to collect wood from the forest.

   • Question: How might your community react to these forest laws?
   • Answer: We would secretly gather forest produce, support local leaders who resisted these laws, and participate in protests against British officials.

3. Scenario: You are a business owner during the Civil Disobedience Movement.

   • Question: How can you contribute to the movement while protecting your business?
   • Answer: I can promote Swadeshi goods, provide financial support to the movement, and join business organizations to push for Indian-friendly trade policies.

4. Scenario: As a woman in 1930, you decide to join the movement.

   • Question: What forms of protest might you participate in, and why is your participation significant?
   • Answer: I could join picketing, make salt during the Salt March, and take part in rallies, showing that women are also ready to fight for freedom.

5. Scenario: There are differences between peasants and the business class during a protest rally.

   • Question: How should leaders handle these differences to keep the movement strong?
   • Answer: Leaders should encourage dialogue, respect each group’s issues, and remind everyone of their common goal—freedom.

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