Question map
Which among the following struggles, based on Gandhi's philosophy Satyagraha, involved the industrial working class?
Explanation
The Ahmedabad Mill Strike of 1918 was the specific Satyagraha movement that involved the industrial working class. While Mahatma Gandhi's early interventions in Champaran (1917) and Kheda (1918) focused on peasant grievances against oppressive plantation systems and high land revenue respectively [1][3], the Ahmedabad struggle was a labor dispute [3]. Gandhi intervened at the request of Anusuya Behn to resolve an impasse between textile mill owners and workers regarding wages [4]. He led the cotton mill workers in a strike, demanding a 35 percent wage increase and advising them to remain non-violent [4]. This movement is notable for being Gandhi's first hunger strike in India [2][5]. In contrast, the Bardoli Satyagraha (1928) was a peasant movement led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel against increased land revenue [5].
Sources
- [1] India and the Contemporary World – II. History-Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Nationalism in India > New words > p. 31
- [3] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART III, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 11: MAHATMA GANDHI AND THE NATIONALIST MOVEMENT > 2. The Making and Unmaking of Non-cooperation > p. 289
- [4] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 15: Emergence of Gandhi > Champaran Satyagraha (1917)—First Civil Disobedience > p. 318
- [2] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 15: Emergence of Gandhi > Congress View > p. 327
- [5] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART III, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 11: MAHATMA GANDHI AND THE NATIONALIST MOVEMENT > Fig. 11.17 > p. 314