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MODERN HISTORY
Indian National Movement
Phase – II (1919 - 1927 )

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 Modern History – Indian National Movement
Phase – II (1919 – 1927)

The National Movement Phase II marks a crucial period in India’s struggle for independence,
characterized by the emergence of key leaders, mass mobilization, and significant socio-political
developments. This phase, spanning from the early 20th century to the eve of India’s independence in 1947,
witnessed a surge in nationalist fervor and a deepening commitment to overthrow colonial rule. As
articulated in the UPSC NCERT Notes on Modern History, this era encompasses pivotal events such as the
Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, and Quit India Movement, each leaving an
indelible imprint on the course of Indian history. Through a nuanced examination of this period, these notes
illuminate the ideological underpinnings, strategic maneuvers, and transformative impact of the National
Movement Phase II, shedding light on its enduring significance in shaping the destiny of a nation yearning for
freedom.

Introduction
▪ The Gandhian phase of the National Movement commenced in 1919, characterized by a surge
in political activities. During this period, there was a gradual awakening among the people
regarding their fundamental rights and constitutional aspirations. However, differences in
methods of operation began to surface within the Indian National Congress.
▪ Following the conclusion of the First World War, the Indian National Movement entered a
new chapter. With the emergence of Mahatma Gandhi, the element of mass mobilization
became a prominent feature.

Gandhi’s Early Political Career and Activism

▪ Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat, was the
son of a Dewan (Minister) of the Princely State of Kathiawar.
▪ Influenced profoundly by figures like Thoreau, Tolstoy, Ruskin, and, above all, the life
of Jesus Christ, Gandhi pursued law studies in London. He returned to India in 1891 to
practice law.
▪ In 1893, he embarked on a one-year contract to Durban, South Africa, to resolve the legal
issues of Dada Abdullah, a Gujarati merchant. Initially appearing as an ordinary young man
striving to make a living.

M.K. Gandhi became the first Indian barrister and the first highly educated Indian to visit South
Africa.

Gandhiji’s Struggle in South Africa

▪ In South Africa, Gandhiji encountered numerous instances of racial discrimination and social
customs disparities.

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 Modern History – Indian National Movement
Phase – II (1919 – 1927)

▪ His journey from Durban to Pretoria was marked by a series of racial humiliations, including
being expelled from a first-class compartment by a White man, despite having purchased a
first-class ticket.

Gandhiji’s experience in South Africa was distinctive in one aspect. As a British-educated

barrister, he asserted several rights, such as first-class train tickets and hotel accommodations, which
previous Indian individuals may not have dared to request. Perhaps, they perceived discrimination due
to a belief that they were considered uncivilized.

▪ Gandhiji swiftly took charge of the struggle against racial discrimination and mistreatment
of South African Indians. His political activities from 1894 to 1906 are referred to as the
Moderate phase of the South African Indian struggle.
▪ He established the Natal Indian Congress and initiated the newspaper Indian Opinion to
advocate for the cause of Natal Indians.
▪ During this phase, his focus was on petitioning and sending memorials to South African
legislatures, the Colonial Secretary in London, and the British Parliament.
▪ He established Phoenix Farm near Durban, where Gandhi trained his cadre for peaceful
resistance or non-violent Satyagraha. This farm is recognized as the birthplace of Satyagraha.

The second phase of the struggle in South Africa, starting in 1906, was characterized by the use of
passive resistance or civil disobedience.

▪ This method was first employed when the government passed legislation mandating Indians
to obtain certificates of registration containing their fingerprints, which they were
required to carry at all times. However, the Indians resolved to defy this law and face the
consequences.
▪ The government and Indians remained resolute, and so did the Indians. Gandhiji established
the Passive Resistance Association to lead the agitation campaign. Legal proceedings were
initiated against Gandhiji and others by the government.
▪ Following Gandhiji’s lead, several other South African Indians were sent to jail, colloquially
referred to as “King Edward’s Hotel.”
▪ The British Government introduced new legislation, this time aimed at restricting Indian
immigration. In August 1908, numerous prominent Indians from Natal crossed into
Transvaal to defy the new immigration laws and were subsequently arrested. Other
Transvaal Indians opposed the laws by traveling without a license, and all of them, including
Gandhiji himself, were imprisoned in October 1908.

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Phase – II (1919 – 1927)

▪ At this juncture, Gandhiji established Tolstoy Farm, made possible through the generosity
of his German architect friend, Kallenbach, to provide for the families of the Satyagrahis.

Tolstoy Farm served as a precursor to the later Gandhian ashrams that played a crucial role in the
Indian national movement.

▪ In 1913, another Satyagraha was organized against the introduction of a three-pound poll
tax imposed on all ex-indentured Indians. This immediately drew indentured and ex-
indentured laborers into the struggle, transforming Satyagraha into a truly mass movement.
▪ Ultimately, through a series of negotiations involving Gandhiji, the Viceroy Lord Hardinge,
CF Andrews, and General Smuts, an agreement was reached whereby the South African
government conceded major Indian demands related to the poll tax, registration certificates,
and marriages solemnized according to Indian rites.

Gandhiji in India
▪ Following instructions from GK Gokhale, Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in
January 1915.
▪ Instead of immediately entering Indian politics, he spent 1915 and much of 1916 touring
India, visiting places as distant as Sind and Rangoon, Banaras, and Madras, to familiarize
himself with his homeland and to introduce himself to his countrymen.
▪ His sole foray into politics occurred when he advocated (October 1915) for the abolishment
of the indentured labor system for manual work outside India.
▪ His constructive endeavors commenced with the establishment of the Sabarmati Ashram in
Ahmedabad in May 1915.
▪ Until the beginning of 1917, Gandhiji was more of a preacher and social worker than a
recognized politician, with Gokhale serving as his closest ally and teacher.

Ideology and Thoughts of Gandhiji

Truth, Non-violence, Sarvodaya, and Satyagraha constitute the four pillars of Gandhian
philosophy, embodying the significance of Gandhian thought.
▪ Truth: For Gandhiji, truth is both the relative truth of truthfulness in word and deed and the
absolute truth—the ultimate reality. The ultimate truth, in his view, was God (as God is also
truth) and morality—the moral laws and code.
▪ Non-Violence: The doctrine of non-violence is another crucial aspect of Gandhi’s ideology.
The Gandhian ideal of active ahimsa involves not just abstaining from all violence but fully
embracing an enemy with love. It requires deliberate self-suffering and, therefore, calls for
the greatest courage.

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Phase – II (1919 – 1927)

▪ Sarvodaya: This term, meaning universal uplift or progress of all, was first coined by
Gandhiji as the title of his translation of John Ruskin’s tract on political economy, “Unto This
Last.”
▪ Satyagraha: One of the most important aspects of Gandhi’s political ideology is Satyagraha,
which combines truth and non-violence. To Gandhi, Satyagraha was the only path to achieve
Swaraj, involving non-violent non-cooperation and self-sacrifice.

Initial Political Activities in India

▪ Gandhiji emerged as an influential political leader through involvement in three local
disputes in Champaran (in North Bihar), in Kheda (in Gujarat), and in Ahmedabad in 1917-
18.
▪ In Champaran, Gandhi championed the cause of peasants against landlords; in Kheda, he
stood up for farmers against revenue officials, and in Ahmedabad, he fought for mill workers
against mill owners.

In each instance, the strategy employed was Satyagraha, guided by the principles of truth and non-
violence. The driving force behind Gandhi in every case was mass participation, marking the
significance of the Champaran struggle as his first in India.

Champaran Satyagraha (1917)

▪ The Champaran Satyagraha (1917) marked Mahatma Gandhi’s inaugural leadership in the
Satyagraha Movement in India.
▪ Peasants were compelled to allocate 15% of their land for cultivating indigo crops, following
the Tin Kathiya system imposed by European planters. These planters also enforced fixed
prices for the peasants’ produce. With the replacement of indigo by German synthetic dyes,
the planters sought higher rents and illegal fees from the peasants to maximize profits.
▪ Upon the urging of Rajkumar Shukla, Gandhi visited Champaran to assess the farmers’
plight. During his stay, he engaged directly with ordinary people, addressing their
concerns—a novel political approach not previously practiced by educated Congress leaders.
▪ This marked the initiation of peasants into political agitation under a new kind of leadership.
▪ Gandhi’s magnetic personality drew multitudes to him, earning him the titles of Mahatma
and ‘Bapu.‘ Under pressure from the Government of India, the Government of Bihar
established an Enquiry Committee in June 1917, whose recommendations led to the
implementation of the Champaran Agrarian Act of 1917, of which Gandhi was also a
committee member.
▪ Several leaders, including JB Kripalani, Rajendra Prasad, Mahadev Desai, and Narhari
Parikh, joined Gandhi in this Satyagraha.

Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918)

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 Modern History – Indian National Movement
Phase – II (1919 – 1927)

▪ While Gandhi was immersed in his Bihar responsibilities, Shrimati Anusuya

Sarabhai wrote to him about the plight of workers in Ahmedabad mills, urging him to
advocate for their cause with the mill owners.
▪ The devastating plague of 1917-18 had drastically reduced the workforce in Ahmedabad. In
an attempt to attract workers, mill owners instituted a plague bonus, paying them 75% of
their wages.
▪ However, on February 22, 1918, the mill owners’ decision to lock out the mills intensified
the situation.
▪ Mahatma Gandhi intervened to bring a resolution, with mill owners eventually agreeing to a
35% bonus, which the workers accepted. In a pivotal move, Gandhi undertook a fast unto
death to pressure both parties into a compromise, marking the first hunger strike in the
Indian National Movement.

Kheda Satyagraha (1918)

▪ This event marked the inception of the Non-Cooperation Movement in India. In 1917,
heavy rains destroyed most of the Kharif crops in the Kheda district, rendering farmers
unable to pay land revenue to the government.
▪ When the government refused to accede to the peasants’ request for the remittance of land
revenues, Gandhi advised them to withhold payment and initiate a struggle against the
government on March 22, 1918.
▪ Gandhi, accompanied by lieutenants such as Vallabhbhai Patel, the young lawyer of Kheda
(who had become a follower of Gandhi during this Satyagraha), Indulal Yagnik, and other
youth, toured villages to inspire the peasants. Leaders associated with Kheda Satyagraha
included Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Narhari Parekh, and Mohanlal Pandya.
▪ The Satyagrahas in Champaran, Kheda, and Ahmedabad catapulted Gandhi to popularity
among the masses, establishing him as a leader of the people. These struggles solidified
Gandhi’s close connection with the masses, a bond he would uphold throughout his life.

The Rowlatt Act (1919)

▪ In 1917, Governor-General Lord Chelmsford established a committee led by Justice Sydney
Rowlatt to investigate revolutionary activities and recommend legislation to effectively
address them. Known as the Sedition or Rowlatt Committee, it proposed a set of major
provisions that constituted the Rowlatt Act:
▪ Empowering the British Government to arrest anyone suspected of engaging in terrorist
activities.
▪ Authorizing the detention of arrested individuals for up to two years without trial.
▪ Granting the police the authority to search places without a warrant.
▪ Imposing severe restrictions on the freedom of the press.

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Phase – II (1919 – 1927)

▪ These provisions, recommended by the Rowlatt Committee chaired by British judge Sir
Sidney Rowlatt, were widely denounced by Indians, earning the Act the moniker “Black
Bill.” Indian members of the Indian Council, including Muhammed Ali Jinnah, Madan
Mohan Malaviya, and Mazhar Ul Haq, resigned in strong protest.
▪ Gandhiji initiated a campaign against the Rowlatt Act and established the Satyagraha Sabha
on February 24, 1919, in Bombay. The Act faced vehement opposition from Indian leaders
who considered it highly repressive. Recognizing the ineffectiveness of constitutional
opposition, Gandhi organized a hartal, where masses suspended all business to gather in
public spaces, engaging in fasting and prayer as a peaceful demonstration against the law—
a form of civil disobedience known as the Rowlatt Satyagraha.

Despite criticism from liberals such as Sir DE Wacha, Surendranath Bannerjee, TB Sapru, Srinivas
Shastri, and others like Annie Besant, Gandhi’s move to initiate Satyagraha became a significant act of
resistance against the Rowlatt Act.

▪ These leaders opposed the Anti-Rowlatt Satyagraha, fearing it might hinder reforms from
the British Government.

The hartal was scheduled for April 6, 1919. In Delhi, it was observed on March 30, resulting in ten
fatalities due to police firing. On April 10, 1919, Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr. Satyapal were
arrested in Amritsar, leading to mob violence, arson of government buildings, five English fatalities,
and an assault on a woman.

Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919)

▪ Following the April 6 hartal, Punjab experienced increased violence, prompting the Civil
Government to transfer administration to military authorities under Brigadier General Dyer.
▪ Dyer imposed a ban on public meetings, detained political leaders, and, on April 13, 1919,
ordered troops to fire on a peaceful unarmed crowd at Jallianwala Bagh during Baisakhi
celebrations.
▪ The crowd protested Dr. Satyapal and Dr. Kitchlew’s arrest.
▪ According to official figures, 379 people were killed, but unofficial accounts reported a much
higher toll.
▪ Martial law was promptly enforced in Punjab on the night of April 13.
▪ In response to the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy, Rabindranath Tagore surrendered his
knighthood, and Sir Sankaran Nair, a former INC President, resigned from the Viceroy’s
Executive Council.

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Phase – II (1919 – 1927)

▪ Post-massacre, Gandhi withdrew the movement, referring to it as his “Himalayan

Blunder.”
▪ The British Government appointed the Hunter Committee to investigate the massacre, but
Gandhi dismissed its report as an “Official Whitewash.”
▪ The Indian National Congress formed an Enquiry Committee led by Madan Mohan Malaviya,
which also included Motilal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, and CR Das.
Khilafat Movement (1919)
▪ During the First World War, the Sultan of Turkey, the Caliph of the Islamic world and
spiritual leader for Indian Muslims, faced defeat, and the harsh terms of the Treaty of Sevres
(1920) intensified discontent.
▪ Additionally, revolts in Arab lands, instigated by the British against the Sultans, fueled
Muslim sentiments in India, leading to the Khilafat Movement.
▪ Khilafatists demanded that the Ottoman Caliph retain his empire with sufficient temporal
power to defend Islam, that Arab lands remain under Muslim rule, and that the Sultan of
Turkey serve as the guardian of Muslim sacred places.
▪ MA Ansari, supported by the Congress, demanded the restoration of Arab lands to the Caliph
during the Muslim League’s 1918 Annual Session in Delhi.

Course of the Movement

▪ In April-May 1919, the All India Khilafat Conference was established in Bombay. A
conference in Lucknow in September 1919 formed the All India Khilafat Committee
with Seth Chhotani as President and Maulana Shaukat Ali as Secretary. Other leaders
included Maulana Azad, Hakim Ajmal Khan, Muhammad Ali, and Hasrat Mohani.
▪ Gandhiji became the President of the All India Khilafat Conference in November 1919. The
Amritsar Session of the INC in December 1919 significantly boosted the Khilafat agitation.
▪ On July 8, 1921, the All India Khilafat Conference in Karachi called upon Muslim soldiers in
the Indian Army to resign from their jobs.

Non-Cooperation Movement (1920)

▪ The Congress agreed to initiate the Non-Cooperation Movement in response to two
grievances: the Khilafat issue and the Punjab atrocities. The third primary objective of the
Non-Cooperation movement, namely Swaraj, was introduced during the Nagpur Session of
the INC in December 1920.
▪ The passing of Lokmanya Tilak on August 1, 1920, led to nationwide observances, including
hartals, processions, fasting, and prayers. The Tilak Swarajya fund was established to
collect funds for the movement.
▪ Gandhiji eventually convinced Congress leaders to support the movement. In the special
Calcutta session in September 1920, Congress officially endorsed the Non-Cooperation
program. The Nagpur session in December 1920 ratified the resolution passed in Calcutta.

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Phase – II (1919 – 1927)

Both the Khilafat Committee and Congress outlined four stages of the Non-Cooperation
Movement:

▪ Resignation from titles and honorary posts.

▪ Resignation from civil services under the government.
▪ Resignation from Police and Army services.
▪ Non-payment of taxes to address Punjab grievances, rectify Khilafat wrongs, and establish
Swaraj.

Opposition to the Non-Cooperation Movement

▪ Some leaders opposed the NCM program. Lala Lajpat Rai resisted the Educational Boycott,
CR Das opposed the Legislature Boycott, and MM Malaviya and Jinnah were against the goal
of Swaraj.
▪ The Nagpur session, starting from December 26, 1920, ratified the Non-Cooperation
resolution previously passed in Calcutta in September 1920. The Nagpur session was
historic due to two crucial amendments to the Congress Constitution.
▪ Firstly, the Congress shifted its objective from achieving self-government through
constitutional means to pursuing Swaraj through peaceful and legitimate methods.
▪ Secondly, the Congress organization underwent revolutionary changes, including:
▪ Establishment of a 15-member Working Committee.
▪ Formation of an All India Congress Committee with 300 members.
▪ Creation of Congress Committees at the town, village, district, Taluka, and village levels,
establishing a hierarchical structure.
▪ Reorganization of Provincial Congress Committees based on linguistic considerations.
▪ Opening of Congress membership to all adults, men and women aged 21 or older, upon
payment of a 4-anna annual subscription.
▪ The Non-Cooperation Movement’s program had two main aspects: Constructive and
Destructive.
▪ Additionally, during the AICC meeting in Vijayawada on March 31, 1921, two more programs
were outlined:
▪ To collect 1 crore for the Tilak Memorial Swarajya fund.
▪ To introduce 20 lakh charkhas into Indian households.

Growth and Spread of the Movement

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Phase – II (1919 – 1927)

▪ The Non-Cooperation Movement marked the first widespread mass movement initiated
under Mahatma Gandhi. Thousands of students abandoned schools and colleges to join over
800 national schools and colleges.
▪ Newly established national institutions like Kashi Vidyapeeth, Gujarat Vidyapeeth, Jamia
Millia Islamia, and others accommodated numerous students.
▪ Prominent lawyers across the country, including CR Das, Motilal Nehru, MR Jayakar,
Saifuddin Kitchlew, Vallabhbhai Patel, C Rajagopalachari, T Prakasam, and Asaf Ali,
relinquished their legal practices.
▪ Between January and March 1921, the districts of Rae Bareilly, Pratapgarh, Faizabad (now
Ayodhya), and Sultanpur experienced widespread agrarian riots led by Baba Ram
Chandra. Later in 1921, there was another significant peasant uprising known as the Eka
Movement under the leadership of Madari Pasi.

During the Non-Cooperation Movement, Kashi Vidyapeeth, Gujarat Vidyapeeth, and

Jamia Millia Islamia were established between 1920-22.

▪ The Bijolia movement in Mewar and the Bhil movement under Motilal Tejavat gained
momentum from the Non-Cooperation movement.
▪ The decision to initiate Civil Disobedience was approved during the Congress Session in
Ahmedabad. Bardoli Taluqa was chosen as the launching site for Gandhiji’s Civil
Disobedience campaign.
▪ On 5th February, Congress volunteers were fired upon by the police at Chauri Chaura in
Gorakhpur district, Uttar Pradesh. In retaliation, an enraged mob killed 22 policemen. The
Congress Working Committee, meeting at Bardoli on 12th February 1922, called off the
movement (the resolution popularly known as the Bardoli Resolution), leaving the country
shocked.
▪ Subhash Chandra Bose described it as a national calamity, and prominent leaders like
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, GS Khaparde, Annie Besant, and Bipin Chandra Pal left the
Indian National Congress.

Features of Non-Cooperation Movement (NCM):

▪ Essentially a peaceful and non-violent protest against the British Government in India.
▪ People were urged to resign from government jobs, withdraw children from government
schools, boycott foreign goods, boycott elections, and refuse to serve in the British army.
▪ The INC demanded Swaraj or self-government.
▪ A decisive step in the independence movement as, for the first time, the INC was willing to
forgo constitutional means to achieve self-rule.

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▪ Movements against Union board taxes in Bengal and the No Tax Campaign in Andhra
Pradesh.
Popular resentment among the Moplah against their Hindu landlords and the Akali Movement as part
of this movement.

▪ Tea plantation labor in Assam also went on strike during this movement.
▪ Gandhiji had assured that Swaraj could be achieved in a year if this movement was continued
to completion.
Evaluation of the Non-Cooperation Movement:
▪ The Non-Cooperation Movement introduced a novel form of struggle to the Indian National
Movement. While the movement fell short of achieving its primary goal of Swaraj, it
successfully mobilized masses across the country. The open protest against the government
through peaceful means attracted lakhs of Indians, reaching even the remotest villages.
▪ The promotion of Khadi usage led to substantial profits for Indian merchants and mill
owners, thanks to the boycott of British goods. Additionally, the movement firmly
established Gandhiji as a leader of the masses.
▪ Moreover, the Non-Cooperation Movement managed to attract a significant number of
Muslims. Although most Congress leaders remained steadfast in supporting Gandhiji, a
determined faction eventually broke away. The Ali brothers, in particular, emerged as fierce
critics of the movement.

Constructive Programme
▪ Following the repeal of the Non-Cooperation Movement, the Congress, under the leadership
of Mahatma Gandhi, engaged in constructive works, including:
▪ Communal Unity: According to Gandhi, communal unity goes beyond political unity; it
should be an unbreakable unity of hearts.
▪ Removal of Untouchability Gandhi considered untouchability a blot and curse upon Indian
society. In 1932, he established the Harijan Sevak Sangh to work towards the abolition of
untouchability after the Poona Pact.
▪ Khadi Making: Gandhi promoted Khadi as a symbol of nationalism, economic freedom,
equality, and self-reliance. He believed that the reconstruction of society and effective
resistance against foreign rule could only be achieved through Khadi. Gandhi envisioned
Khadi playing a central role in uplifting the village economy, ultimately leading to the
attainment of Gram Swaraj.
▪ New or Basic Education: Gandhi’s concept of new education emphasized the significance of
nature, society, and crafts as essential mediums of education.

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▪ Upliftment of Women: Recognizing the importance of cooperation from various segments

of society in his mission for Swaraj, Gandhi actively worked towards the upliftment of
women, along with farmers, laborers, and students.

Swarajya Party (1922):

▪ The Gaya Session of the Congress in December 1922 became a battleground between
supporters of council entry and no council entry. Ultimately, the no-changers, led
by Rajagopalachari, emerged victorious.
▪ Following this, CR Das, along with Motilal Nehru, resigned as the President and Secretary of
the Congress. On December 31, 1922, they announced the formation of the Congress-Khilafat
Swaraj Party, commonly known as the Swaraj Party, with CR Das as its President and Motilal
Nehru as its Secretary.
▪ The Swarajists secured a clear majority in the Central provinces, emerged as the largest party
in Bengal, and performed reasonably well in Bombay and Uttar Pradesh, although not as
strongly in Madras and Punjab due to strong caste and communal currents. The Justice Party
in Madras and the Unionist Party in Punjab held more influence.
▪ In the Legislative assembly, where the Swarajists were not the majority, a coalition of
seventy members was formed, known as the Nationalist Party, with the support of
independents led by Jinnah and the liberals.
▪ In the provinces, particularly in Madras and Punjab, the Swarajists faced challenges due to
strong caste and communal influences. The Justice Party in Madras and the Unionist Party in
Punjab held more substantial power.
▪ In the Legislative assembly, where the Swarajists lacked a majority, they formed a coalition
called the Nationalist Party, comprising seventy members. This coalition received support
from independents led by Jinnah and liberal members.

Main Objectives of Swaraj Party

▪ Rapid attainment of Dominion Status.
▪ The right to frame a constitution or adopt a system best suited to the country’s conditions.
▪ Control over the bureaucracy.
▪ Full provincial autonomy.
▪ Achieving Swarajya (self-rule).
▪ Granting people the right to control the existing machinery and government system.
▪ Organizing industrial and agricultural labor.
▪ Controlling local and municipal bodies.
▪ Establishing an agency for propaganda outside the country.
▪ Creating a federation of Asian countries to promote trade and commerce.

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▪ Engaging in the constructive programs of the Congress.

Achievements of Swarajists
▪ The Swarajists achieved notable milestones, such as Motilal Nehru presenting the national
demand for a new Constitution in the inaugural session. Rangachari proposed a resolution
urging the Governor General in Council to revise the 1919 Act for provincial autonomy and
dominion status. Motilal advocated for an amendment supporting a Round Table
Conference to recommend a scheme for full responsible government.

In the Central legislature, the Swarajists compelled the appointment of the Alexander Muddiman
Committee in 1924 to investigate the flaws in the 1919 Act and propose remedies.

▪ In response to the Lee Commission’s recommendations on the organization and condition of

public services, put forth by Viscount Lee, Motilal proposed an amendment during the
assembly’s approval process, which secured majority support. The Swarajists further
achieved success by rejecting the budget, compelling the government to rely on its power of
certification.
▪ In March 1925, the Swarajists triumphed in electing Vithalbhai Patel, a prominent Swarajist,
as the President of the Central Legislative Assembly. Lajpat Rai joined the Central Legislative
Assembly as a Swarajist and assumed the deputy leadership of the party. M.L. Nehru
accepted membership in the Skeen Committee, established to report on the early
Indianization of the Army.

Resignation of the Swarajists

▪ In the 1926 elections, despite winning 40 seats in the Central legislature and securing half of
the seats in Madras, the Swarajya Party faced significant setbacks in other provinces.
Consequently, the Swarajists resigned from the legislature in 1930.

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