The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922) was the first nationwide mass movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress. Triggered by the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, the repressive Rowlatt Act, and the Khilafat issue, the movement aimed to attain Swaraj (Self-Rule) within one year. It marked a radical shift in the freedom struggle, moving from elite boardrooms to the streets. Students boycotted schools, lawyers gave up their practice, and bonfires of foreign cloth were lit across the country. The movement saw unprecedented Hindu-Muslim unity but was abruptly called off by Gandhi in February 1922 after the violent Chauri Chaura incident, where a mob burnt a police station, killing 22 policemen.| Feature | Details |
| Launch Date | August 1, 1920 (Formal Launch) |
| Suspension Date | February 12, 1922 (Bardoli Resolution) |
| Primary Leader | Mahatma Gandhi |
| Key Allies | Ali Brothers (Khilafat Movement) |
| Triggers | Jallianwala Bagh, Rowlatt Act, Khilafat Wrong |
| Goal | Swaraj (Self-Rule) |
| Method | Ahimsa (Non-violence) & Non-Cooperation |
| Ending Event | Chauri Chaura Incident (Feb 5, 1922) |
The Perfect Storm: Why 1920?
By 1920, the Indian public’s faith in British justice had evaporated.
- Broken Promises: Indians had supported the British in World War I, hoping for self-rule in return. Instead, they got the Rowlatt Act (1919), which allowed detention without trial.
- The Massacre: The brutal slaughter at Jallianwala Bagh by General Dyer left a permanent scar on the national psyche.
- The Khilafat Betrayal: Muslims were enraged by the British treatment of the Ottoman Caliph (Khalifa) after WWI. Gandhi saw this as a golden opportunity to cement Hindu-Muslim unity.
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The Strategy of “Non-Cooperation”
At the Nagpur session of the Congress in December 1920, the program was ratified. It wasn’t just a protest; it was a total boycott of the colonial machinery.
- Surrender of Titles: Gandhi returned his Kaiser-i-Hind medal, and Rabindranath Tagore renounced his Knighthood.
- Boycott of Institutions: Thousands of students left government schools and colleges. National institutions like Jamia Millia Islamia and Kashi Vidyapith were established to provide an alternative education.
- The Bonfires: Foreign cloth was seen as a symbol of economic slavery. Massive bonfires were organized where people burned their expensive imported clothes, switching to Khadi (homespun cloth).
The Khilafat Connection
A unique feature of this movement was the alliance with the Khilafat Movement, led by the Ali Brothers (Shaukat Ali and Mohammad Ali). Gandhi was elected President of the All India Khilafat Conference. For a brief, shining moment, the slogan “Hindu-Musalman Ki Jai” echoed across India. Mosques welcomed Hindu leaders, and temples welcomed Muslim leaders, terrifying the British administration which relied on “Divide and Rule.”
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When the Prince of Wales visited India in November 1921, he was greeted not by cheering crowds but by empty streets and Hartals (strikes). The movement had reached every corner of India. In Andhra, forest laws were defied; in Assam, tea garden laborers demanded a wage hike chanting “Gandhi Maharaj ki Jai.” By the end of 1921, over 30,000 people were in jail.
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The Tragedy at Chauri Chaura
By February 1922, the movement was at its peak. But on February 5, 1922, in a small village named Chauri Chaura in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, a peaceful procession turned violent after police fired on protestors. The angry mob chased the policemen into the station and set it on fire. 22 policemen were burnt alive.
Gandhi was devastated. He believed that the country was not yet ready for true non-violence. Against the wishes of almost every other leader—including Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose—Gandhi unilaterally called off the movement on February 12, 1922. He famously said, “I would rather be in a minority of one with God than be in a majority with a violent mob.”
The Aftermath
The sudden halt shocked the nation. The unity began to fracture. Gandhi was arrested in March 1922 and sentenced to six years in prison for sedition. Although the movement didn’t deliver “Swaraj in one year,” it achieved something more lasting: it destroyed the fear of the British. The peasant who once trembled before a policeman now looked him in the eye.
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Quick Comparison Table: Non-Cooperation vs. Civil Disobedience
| Feature | Non-Cooperation (1920) | Civil Disobedience (1930) |
| Core Idea | Refusal to cooperate with Govt | Breaking specific laws (Salt Law) |
| Hindu-Muslim Unity | Very High (Khilafat Alliance) | Lower (Post-Khilafat fracture) |
| Women’s Role | Limited participation | Massive participation |
| Outcome | Called off due to violence | Resulted in Round Table Talks |
| Symbol | Charkha / Khadi | Salt |
Curious Indian: Fast Facts
- The “Gandhi Cap”: The famous white “Gandhi Topi” became popular during this movement as a symbol of defiance against Western dress.
- The Lawyer’s Sacrifice: Legendary lawyers like Motilal Nehru, C.R. Das, and Vallabhbhai Patel gave up their lucrative practices to join the movement full-time.
- The Fund: The Tilak Swaraj Fund was launched to finance the movement. It aimed to collect 1 Crore rupees—a staggering sum in 1921—and miraculously achieved the target within months.
- Subhas Bose’s Resignation: Subhas Chandra Bose resigned from the prestigious Indian Civil Service (ICS) in 1921 to join this movement, marking his entry into the freedom struggle.
Conclusion
The Non-Cooperation Movement 1920-1922 was a grand experiment in truth. It taught India that freedom was not a gift to be begged for, but a right to be taken. Though it ended in the ashes of Chauri Chaura, it lit a fire in the hearts of millions that would eventually burn down the British Empire in 1947.
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If you think you have remembered everything about this topic take this QUIZ
Results
#1. The Non-Cooperation Movement was formally launched on which date?
#2. Which violent incident caused Mahatma Gandhi to abruptly call off the movement in February 1922?
#3. Who were the key allies of Mahatma Gandhi who led the Khilafat Movement?
#4. What was the specific financial fund launched to support the movement, which collected over 1 Crore rupees?
#5. Subhas Chandra Bose resigned from which prestigious service in 1921 to join the movement?
#6. The “Gandhi Cap” (Topi) became a symbol of defiance during this movement. What color was it?
#7. Which visiting British royal was greeted with empty streets and strikes (hartals) in November 1921?
#8. What was the main method of protest adopted during the Non-Cooperation Movement?
Why was the Non-Cooperation Movement launched?
It was launched to protest against the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, the Rowlatt Act, and the Khilafat injustice, with the ultimate goal of attaining Swaraj.
Why did Gandhi call off the movement?
Gandhi called it off after the Chauri Chaura incident (Feb 1922), where a mob burnt 22 policemen alive. He felt the movement had lost its non-violent character.
Who were the Ali Brothers?
Shaukat Ali and Mohammad Ali were the leaders of the Khilafat Movement who allied with Gandhi to forge Hindu-Muslim unity during the struggle.
What was the Chauri Chaura incident?
It was a violent clash in Gorakhpur, UP, where protestors set a police station on fire, killing 22 policemen. It directly led to the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Did the movement achieve Swaraj?
No, it failed to achieve Swaraj within one year as promised, but it successfully transformed the Congress into a mass-based party.
