Applying the template of Bengal

1. Applying the template of Bengal the value of direct action the promise of change Gandhi unites efforts – but cannot dissolve difference the British still matter

2. Overview: Partition of Bengalpatterns for modern Independence Partition: 1905 1911 → politics and personality of Governor General shape Indian policy → British back Muslim community, then renege on that → more and less radical groups in INC brought together → develop successful political strategies that mobilize all from elite right down to family-based producers → British back down: Bengal reunited; increased political voice splits Congress read as success – template for more change

3. WWI and its Effecton reform in South Asia India ‘declared to be in a state of war’ • exodus of ICS, army (15 000) and Europeans civilians • politically, professionally, ‘their chance’ • support for the effort – expected reward of Home Rule • also, increased radicalism • 2 million men; £ 100 million ‘gift’ • rise in Muslim nationalism – allied with Congress 1916 caliphate In active service • fought, wounded and died alongside fellow critics of British rule • enjoyed the pleasures of Europe – no divide • nationalism

4. The fallacy of modern nationalismspilled blood make citizens? As with other colonies: men volunteered because of pay pride in community protect nation connection to the Crown Unlike settler colonies: no dominion status Gandhi phase begins

5. ‘that naked fakir’મોહનદાસ કરમચંદ ગાંધી Mohandas Karamchad Gandhi (1869-1948) • Gujerati (modh) brahmin • father politician; mother vaishnava Jain • trained as a barrister at UCL • Civil Disobedience in South Africa 1893-1908 • Independence Struggle in India 1915-45 • assassinated 30 January 1948

6. Gandhi jayanti Honorifics: mahātmā ‘Great Soul’ Rabindranath Tagore bapu father (Gujerati) Father of the Nation October 2 National Holiday from 15 June 2007 International Day of non-Violence

7. Known for ahimsa1930 Salt March • advocated • Sanskrit term meaning to do no harm • rule of conduct that bars the harming or killing of living beings satyagraha • ‘holding firmly to truth’ [i.e. not passive] • ‘vindication of truth, not by infliction of suffering on the opponent, but on oneself’ • cooperating with your opponent to meet a just end that the opponent in unwittingly obstructing • the means are no different than the end Quit India Movement

8. Another Gandhi • authoritarian leadership unpredictable unelected, managed to take control of INC [symbols] Gandhi topi he defined, began and ended campaigns as he saw fit (1921 visit PofW) held elected officials hostage – ended fast to death 2 wks before he died satyagraha or power? • refusal to disrupt Indian social and economic hierarchy his vision of ‘village’ simplicity at expense of other possibilities insistence on ‘unity’ across caste opposed industrialization absolute opposition to contraception Hindu ‘tradition’ overlapped 19C concerns (‘purity’ and sex)

9. Gandhi (1982)dir. Richard Attenburough 9 academy awards Hagiographic • timing • personal interest • Support of Nehru; I. Gandhi and GOI Historically flat • British • other nationalists • he was, in fact, not a saint But worthwhile • Ben Kinglsey (best actor)

10. Defining success:use what you’ve got, to succeed to convert, not to coerce, the wrong-doer cooperate with the opponent to meet a just end that the opponent is unwittingly obstructing. The opponent must be converted, at least as far as to stop obstructing the just end, for this cooperation to take place. So assess the movie: the meeting – and ♀ ? the protest in SA ? the protest in the saltworks ?

11. If satyagrahim won independence, why any violence at all? human not mahatmas

12. Sabarmati Ashramprinciples for satyagrahis • Nonviolence (ahimsa) • Truth —living fully in accord with and in devotion to that which is true • Non-stealing • Chastity (brahmacharya) —subordination of other sensual desires to allow primary devotion to truth • Non-possession • Body-labor or bread-labor • Control of the palate (including no alcohol) • Fearlessness • Equal respect for all religions • Economic strategy such as boycotts (swadeshi) • Freedom from untouchability

13. Now the British forced to respond: Administrative: India Act (1919) Simon Commission, 1926 Round Table Conferences (London) 1931, 1932 Government of India Act (1935) Cripps Mission (1942), then 1946 Independence declared summer 1947 Violence: Amritsar Massacre Pathans of the NW Frontier Province - aerial bombardment April 1930 military vs. public welfare spending in 1930s [25 to 45%][1%] India in WWII without consultation famine again (maybe 3 million died during WWII) using army against street protestors public whippings and shooting; entire villages destroyed; strafing protestors from planes

14. ‘some of the untouchables are worse than cows in understanding’ – Gandhiji Women – • sexuality unclean; women especially need to be protected from through self-control • humiliation Solution? • ‘all caste girls should marry harijan husbands’ • ‘uplift’ of harijans: religious based no scriptural base for 5th caste not change their role; re-evaluate their status brahmins rejected – untouchables rejected

15. Conclusion Gandhi’s campaign • built on previous efforts • managed, could not solve issues of communal identity, regional or class difference Gandhi • mahatma • problematic beliefs/policies • manipulator Independence • won by Indians • deserted by a war-worn Britain? • internal difference could not be ‘solved’