What is the Civil Disobedience Movement?

The Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–1934) was a nationwide campaign led by Mahatma Gandhi in which Indians openly and peacefully broke unjust British laws and accepted punishment, thereby challenging the legitimacy of colonial rule. It began with the iconic Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha) on 12 March 1930 and continued in phases until it was formally withdrawn in 1934.

The movement was launched after the British rejected the Congress's demand for Purna Swaraj (complete independence) declared at the Lahore Congress (December 1929). Gandhi chose the salt tax as the symbol of oppression — salt affected every Indian, rich or poor. The campaign included breaking the salt law, boycotting foreign cloth and liquor, picketing, non-payment of taxes, and refusal to cooperate with British institutions. Women participated in unprecedented numbers. Over 60,000 Indians were jailed. The movement paused after the Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931), resumed in 1932, and was finally called off in 1934.

Key Features / Provisions

# Feature Details
1 Period 1930–1934
2 Leader Mahatma Gandhi
3 Trigger British rejection of Purna Swaraj demand; Lahore Congress (1929)
4 Dandi March 12 March – 6 April 1930; 387 km from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi
5 Salt law broken Gandhi made salt at Dandi on 6 April 1930
6 Methods Salt-making, boycott of foreign cloth/liquor, picketing, tax refusal
7 Women's role First mass participation of women; Sarojini Naidu led Dharasana raid
8 Arrests Over 60,000 Indians jailed during the movement
9 Gandhi-Irwin Pact March 1931 — movement paused; Gandhi attended Second Round Table Conference
10 Withdrawal Formally called off in 1934

Historical Background

  • December 1929 — Lahore Congress — Purna Swaraj (complete independence) declared; Jawaharlal Nehru presided
  • 26 January 1930 — First Independence Day celebrated across India
  • February 1930 — Gandhi's 11-point ultimatum to Viceroy Lord Irwin — rejected
  • 12 March 1930 — Dandi March began from Sabarmati Ashram with 78 volunteers
  • 6 April 1930 — Gandhi made salt at Dandi; Civil Disobedience Movement launched
  • 21 May 1930 — Dharasana Salt Works raid led by Sarojini Naidu — marchers beaten by police
  • 5 May 1930 — Gandhi arrested
  • 1930 — Over 60,000 Indians jailed; movement spread across India
  • 5 March 1931 — Gandhi-Irwin Pact signed — CDM suspended; Gandhi attended Second Round Table Conference
  • September–December 1931 — Second RTC in London — failed on communal question
  • January 1932 — CDM resumed after Gandhi returned; mass arrests again
  • 1934 — CDM formally withdrawn by Congress
  • Legacy — CDM demonstrated that mass non-violent resistance could challenge an empire; influenced global civil rights movements
  • Outcome — Led to the Government of India Act, 1935; Congress won 7 of 11 provinces in 1937 elections

UPSC Exam Corner

Prelims: Key Facts

  • Dandi March: 12 March – 6 April 1930; 387 km; 78 marchers initially
  • Salt law: Broken on 6 April 1930 at Dandi, Gujarat
  • Dharasana Salt Works: Sarojini Naidu led raid on 21 May 1930
  • Gandhi-Irwin Pact: March 1931 — Gandhi released; CDM suspended
  • Arrests: 60,000+ jailed
  • Purna Swaraj: Declared at Lahore Congress, 26 January 1930 (first Independence Day)

Mains: Probable Themes

  1. "The Civil Disobedience Movement marked the maturation of Gandhian mass politics." — Analyse its methods, scale, and impact
  2. "Why did Gandhi choose salt as the symbol of the Civil Disobedience Movement?" — Universal oppression, simplicity, mass appeal
  3. "Examine the role of women in the Civil Disobedience Movement." — Sarojini Naidu, picketing, mass participation

Sources: Wikipedia — Salt March | Britannica — Salt March | HISTORY | Vajiram & Ravi