Gandhi and his Early Movements (Part-II)

31. . In which of the following movements did Mahatma Gandhi make the first use of hunger strike as a weapon? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2010]

(a) Non-Cooperation Movement
(b) Rowlatt Satyagraha
(c) Ahmedabad Strike
(d) Bardoli Satyagraha

Correct Answer: (c) Ahmedabad Strike

Solution:Gandhi launched his first Satyagraha on Indian soil in 1917 at Champaran, taking up the cause of the poor disinherited peasants and humbled the might of the British and proved to the world that Satyagraha in South Africa was not a fluke, a one-time wonder, but a powerful way of conflict resolution. In February-March 1918 on the issue of Plague Bonus of labour of Ahmedabad cotton Mill on Strike Gandhiji joined the strike and first time he started the hunger strike. In the above question, the Champaran Satyagraha is not given in the option hence Ahmedabad Satyagraha is considered as a correct option.

32. Mahatma Gandhi delivered his first public speech in India at – [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2015]

(a) Bombay
(b) Lucknow
(c) Champaran
(d) Varanasi

Correct Answer: (d) Varanasi

Solution:His first major public speech in India was at the opening of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in February, 1916.

33. From where did Gandhiji launch his mission of freeing bonded labour? [U.P. Lower Sub. (Mains) 2015]

(a) Patna
(b) Calcutta
(c) Bombay
(d) Gorakhpur

Correct Answer: (a) Patna

Solution:Gandhiji arrived in Patna on his way to Champaran with Rajkumar Shukla and launched his mission of freeing bonded labour with his first Satyagraha known as Champaran Satyagraha against indigo farming.

34. Who participated in ‘Satyagrah’ started by Gandhiji at Ahmedabad in 1917-18? [39th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1994]

(a) Cultivators class
(b) Industrial workers
(c) Public
(d) Middle Class

Correct Answer: (b) Industrial workers

Solution:Gandhiji’s first great experiment in Satyagraha happened in 1917, in Champaran, in Bihar. Gandhiji’s next activity was in 1918 at Ahmedabad where agitation was going on between the industrial workers and the owners of a cotton textile mill for the Plague bonus. While Gandhiji was negotiating with the mill owners, he advised the workers to go on strike and to demand increase Plague Bonus. Having advised the strikers to depend upon their conscience, Gandhiji himself went on a “fast unto death” to strengthen the workers resolved to continue the strike. The mill owners gave up, and a settlement was reached after 21 days of the strike. The mill owners agreed to give the workers a 35% bonus. The strike was withdrawn and later awarded the 35% Bonus that the workers had demanded, Ambalal Sarabhai’s sister, Anasuya Behn, was one of the main lieutenants of Gandhiji in this struggle in which her brother and Gandhiji’s friend was one of the main advisories.

35. Which of the following struggles of Mahatma Gandhi was related to industrial workers- [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2002]

(a) Champaran Satyagrah
(b) Ahmedabad Satyagraha
(c) Kheda Satyagrah
(e) None of the above

Correct Answer: (b) Ahmedabad Satyagraha

Solution:Gandhiji’s first great experiment in Satyagraha happened in 1917, in Champaran, in Bihar. Gandhiji’s next activity was in 1918 at Ahmedabad where agitation was going on between the industrial workers and the owners of a cotton textile mill for the Plague bonus. While Gandhiji was negotiating with the mill owners, he advised the workers to go on strike and to demand increase Plague Bonus. Having advised the strikers to depend upon their conscience, Gandhiji himself went on a “fast unto death” to strengthen the workers resolved to continue the strike. The mill owners gave up, and a settlement was reached after 21 days of the strike. The mill owners agreed to give the workers a 35% bonus. The strike was withdrawn and later awarded the 35% Bonus that the workers had demanded, Ambalal Sarabhai’s sister, Anasuya Behn, was one of the main lieutenants of Gandhiji in this struggle in which her brother and Gandhiji’s friend was one of the main advisories.