Gandhi's Satyagraha Protests

What were the satyagrahas?

Gandhi's programme of non-violent, non-co-operation, was given the name 'satyagraha', which means 'truth-force'. There were two satyagrahas.

What happened in the satyagrahas?

There were two main satyagrahas.

• ❖ The first satyagraha (1920-22) was a boycott of British goods and services, and the closure of factories and offices. Lawyers left the British-run courts, and public transport was boycotted.
• ❖ Unfortunately, rioters inspired by Gandhi's programme set fire to a police station and killed 22 police officers. Gandhi now realised that Indians were not yet ready for independence, and he ended the campaign.
• ❖ In the second satyagraha (1930), Gandhi went on the Salt March, walking 240 miles to the Gujarat coast, to protest against the British tax on salt. This was reported around the world, exposing the injustice of British rule.