Gandhian Nationalism (1927-1937) — Important Questions

Dominion Status for India

Step 1: The Nehru Report was a draft constitution prepared by a committee headed by Motilal Nehru in 1928. Step 2: At this stage, the Congress was debating between Dominion Status and Complete Independence as the goal. Step 3: The Nehru Report demanded 'Dominion Status' for India, similar to Canada or Australia within the British Empire. Step 4: It was only later at the Lahore Session (1929) that the Congress officially shifted its demand to 'Poorna Swaraj' (Complete Independence). Step 5: Therefore, Dominion Status is the correct answer for what the Nehru Report demanded.

Lahore Session, 1929

Step 1: After the failure of the Gandhi-Irwin meeting in December 1929, where no assurance of Dominion Status was given, the Congress took a bold step. Step 2: At the Lahore Session of the Congress held in December 1929, presided over by Jawaharlal Nehru, a resolution was passed. Step 3: This resolution declared 'Poorna Swaraj' (Complete Independence) as the objective of the Congress. Step 4: Additionally, 26 January 1930 was fixed as the first Independence Day. Step 5: The Madras Session of 1927 had decided to boycott the Simon Commission, not declare Poorna Swaraj.

Sabarmati Ashram

Step 1: After the Congress Working Committee authorised Gandhiji to launch Civil Disobedience, Gandhiji chose to break the Salt Law as the starting point of the movement. Step 2: On 12 March 1930, Gandhiji began his famous Dandi March from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Step 3: He marched to Dandi Beach on the seashore with 78 chosen followers. Step 4: On 6 April 1930, he reached Dandi and broke the Salt Law by making salt from seawater. Step 5: Wardha and Sevagram are also associated with Gandhiji but are located in Maharashtra — Sabarmati is in Gujarat.

The salt tax was a symbol of imperial exploitation that affected every Indian

Step 1: Gandhiji needed a cause that would unite all Indians — rich and poor, Hindu and Muslim, men and women. Step 2: Salt was something that every single Indian used daily, regardless of religion, caste, or class. Step 3: Gandhiji regarded the salt tax as a 'true index of inhuman oppression' because even the poorest Indian had to pay this tax on a basic necessity. Step 4: Under the Salt Laws, making salt was a government monopoly — Indians could not even make their own salt from the sea. Step 5: This made it a powerful symbol against British exploitation, making every Indian a potential part