Why did Gandhiji decide to launch a nationwide ‘Satyagraha’ against the proposed Rowlatt Act (1919)? How was it opposed? Explain.

OR

Why was the ‘Salt March’ considered as an effective symbol of resistance against colonialism? Explain.

Rowlatt Act was passed in the year 1919. The provisions of this Act empowered the British Government to put an end to the political activities and allowed the detention of political prisoners without any trial for two years. Even though the Indian members of the Imperial Legislative Assembly opposed this, the Act was successfully passed.

a. This Act was opposed by the Indians.

b. Also, Mahatma Gandhi was much against this Act.

c. He organised a hartal. All the shops were closed.

d. The railway workers went on a strike.

e. Rallies were held.

f. Public meetings were held and this marked the beginning of Rowlatt Satyagraha.

Rowlatt Act was thus passed to put an end to the national uprising.

OR

The Salt March was an effective tool of resistance against British colonial power.

1. Mahatma Gandhi was very much against the levy of tax on salt and monopoly of the Government over its production.

2. He felt that salt was the most essential food item having no disparity between the rich and the poor.

3. Hence, he stated that it was an atrocity of British power.

4. He decided to launch a movement to exempt salt from tax.

5. Lord Irwin, the then Viceroy was sent a letter from Gandhiji stating eleven demands.

6. The Primary demand was to withdraw the tax on salt and make it tax-free.

7. Since the British side showed reluctance, Gandhi started the salt march.

8. It was called Dandi March, where he walked 240 miles from his Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi.

9. He was accompanied by about seventy-eight followers.

10. After reaching Dandi, the coastal town, he boiled sea water and manufactured salt, thus violating the salt law.

11. By this, he persuaded people to break colonial laws and started Non-cooperation movement against British power.

This Dandi March or the Salt March, thus, can be rightly said as the first powerful protest against the British.