Best History Notes on Bihar’s role in India’s Freedom Struggle for BPSC and for other Competitive Exams aspirants in 2025

Best History Notes on Bihar’s role in India’s Freedom Struggle for BPSC and for other Competitive Exams aspirants in 2025

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Here is a detailed explanation of Bihar’s role in India’s Freedom Struggle, covering the Champaran Satyagraha (1917) and the three major mass movements led by Mahatma Gandhi:
Non-Cooperation (1920–22), Civil Disobedience (1930–34), and Quit India Movement (1942) — essential for BPSC/UPSC Mains GS Paper-I and Bihar Special.

Bihar in India’s Freedom Struggle

1. Champaran Satyagraha (1917) – First Gandhian Movement in India

Background:

• Champaran, in North Bihar, was a center of indigo cultivation under the     oppressive Tinkathia system (forcing farmers to cultivate indigo on 3/20th of        their land).
• European planters exploited peasants, imposed illegal taxes, and violated         tenancy laws.
• Local leaders like Raj Kumar Shukla invited Mahatma Gandhi to intervene.

Key Events:

• Gandhi arrived in Champaran in April 1917.
• Defied official orders to leave; collected detailed testimonies of peasants.
• Adopted Satyagraha – non-violent resistance and civil disobedience.
• Gandhi was summoned to court, but mass support forced withdrawal of       case.

Outcome:

• Formation of Champaran Agrarian Committee with Gandhi as member.
• Abolition of Tinkathia system.
• First successful experiment of Gandhi’s satyagraha in India.
• Gandhi gained national stature and moral leadership.

Significance:

• Marked beginning of mass mobilisation under Gandhi.
• Raised peasant issues to national consciousness.
• Inspired later movements like Kheda (1918) and Ahmedabad (1918).

2. Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922)

Background:

• Triggered by:
  • Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919)
  • Rowlatt Act (1919) – curbing civil liberties
  • Khilafat issue – Muslim sentiment hurt
• Congress adopted non-cooperation resolution in Nagpur Session (1920).

Nature of Movement:

• Boycott of British institutions: schools, courts, foreign goods, titles.
• Promotion of Swadeshi goods, hand-spinning (charkha).
• Gandhi gave the call for peaceful non-cooperation.

Bihar’s Role:

• Bihar became a major center:
  • Students left government schools, lawyers boycotted courts.
  • Promotion of national schools (e.g., Bihar Vidyapeeth).
  • Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Maulana Mazharul Haque emerged as key leaders.
• Significant participation from peasants and zamindars alike.

End of Movement:

• Chauri Chaura incident (Feb 1922) – violent mob burned police station.
• Gandhi suspended the movement, emphasizing non-violence.

Impact:

• Mass awakening, spread of Gandhian principles.
• Prepared India for larger national struggle.
• Consolidated Congress as a mass party.

3. Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–1934)

Background:

• Launched after failure of Simon Commission (1927) and Nehru Report         (1928).
• Gandhi issued 11 demands to British; when ignored, started Salt Satyagraha          (Dandi March) in March 1930.

Nature of Movement:

• Violation of Salt Law, boycott of foreign cloth and liquor.
• Refusal to pay taxes, resignations from government posts.
• Participation from all sections – peasants, women, students, tribal groups.

In Bihar:

• Movement was strong in Patna, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, Champaran.
• Dr. Rajendra Prasad, J. B. Kripalani, and Shah Muhammad Zubair led from front.
• Salt laws broken in several districts.
• Women like Kusum Devi, Sarju Bibi became active participants.

End of Phase-I:

• Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931): Congress agreed to suspend the movement,    Gandhi attended Second Round Table Conference.

Phase-II (1932–34):

• After Gandhi’s return, repressive laws and Communal Award (1932) led to      protests again.
• Bihar witnessed no-tax campaigns, picketing, mass arrests.

Outcomes:

• British realised strength of Indian unity.
• Enhanced role of women and rural masses.
• Laid foundation for Congress provincial elections (1937).

4. Quit India Movement (1942) – “Do or Die”

Background:

• Launched during World War II, after failure of Cripps Mission (1942).
• On 8 August 1942, Gandhi gave the call: “Quit India” and “Do or Die” at        Bombay session of AICC.
• British responded with mass arrests including Gandhi, Nehru, Patel.

Bihar’s Role:

• Bihar turned into a hotbed of revolutionary activity.
• Students, workers, farmers joined underground movements.
• Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) played a key role in organising parallel         government.
• Azad Dasta and underground fighters disrupted railways, post offices,     communication lines.

Repression and Resistance:

• Brutal police action; public shootings, arrests, censorship.
• Large-scale arrests in Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur.
• Parallel governments formed in some regions of Bihar.

Significance:

• Marked the final mass upsurge before independence.
• British realised India was ungovernable without Indian cooperation.
• Gave rise to post-independence socialist leadership (JP, Lohia).

Summary Table – Bihar in Gandhian Movements

 Mains Answer Framework:

“Bihar played a foundational role in India’s freedom struggle, beginning with the Champaran Satyagraha in 1917. The province remained active in all major Gandhian movements — Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, and Quit India — providing leadership, mass participation, and ideological clarity. Leaders like Rajendra Prasad and JP Narayan emerged from this soil, reflecting the integration of Bihar’s peasantry and intelligentsia into the national movement.”

Keywords for Mains:

• Champaran Satyagraha, Tinkathia system, Non-Cooperation, Swadeshi, Civil Disobedience, Salt Satyagraha, Quit India, Jayaprakash Narayan, Azad Dasta, Do or Die, Rajendra Prasad