1. Focus: Gandhi and “Quit India”

2. Lang-Lit Test Breakdown

3. Works Covered Shorter SelectionsAuthorsQuestions Raised Two major political speechesGandhi and Nehru What defines India? How should it be as a nation? How does its diversity challenge its national identity?? How can this diversity fit with the reality of all Indians’ interconnectedness? Three essays Salman Rushdie Nissim Ezekiel Jhumpa Lahiri A poem A short story All written in English Gandhi gave “Quit India” speech in Hindi & provided translation Bilingualism raises question of language use in India India’s traditional lit has far greater depth than what is available for us to see in English Includes range of languages & genres – different topics/motifs

4. Who is Gandhi? Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948) Earned many honors for importance to India Gained the popular title of “Mahatma” around 1914 in South Africa Means “great soul” The Gujarati called him bupa (father) Another nationalist leader, Subhas Chandra Bose, called him “father of the nation” http://cp91279.biography.com/1000509261001/1000509261001_2033 463483001_Mahatma-Gandhi-A-Legacy-of-Peace.jpg

6. Gandhi’s Life Key Events Childhood Hindu family in Porbandar, Gujarat Early adulthood Studied at Inns of Court School of Law, London Practiced in South Africa for 21 years Initially did not criticize colonialism or apartheid Politicization (1893-) Expelled from a train compartment reserved for white people Became involved in anti-colonial struggle Organized the South African Indian community Practiced peaceful civil disobedience Adopted a simple lifestyle, criticizing Western modernity in Hind Swaraj (1909) Indian leadershipReturned to India in 1915 Organized peasant farmers Led Indian National Congress from 1921 Demanded self-rule, or swaraj

7. Gandhi’s Principles Sanskrit TermMeaning Satyagraha (from sat/satya, truth)“Insistence on truth” pursued non-violently AhimsaNon-violence Tapasya/sadhanaSelf-suffering Non-violent activists = satyagrahi Satyagrahi demonstrated self-restraint by not express hostility or criticism towards others Gandhi believed you should only practice nonviolence as it aligns w/your conscience He campaigned for rights of the untouchable caste Called them Harijans, children of god http://www.britannica.com/topic/untouchable Now called Scheduled Caste

8. Launched several non-violent campaigns against British rule Protests became known as the Non-Cooperation & Swadeshi movements Began the Salt March on March 12, 1930 British had monopoly on salt production – Gandhi led procession to coastal town of Dandi, Gujarat “Quit India” speech refers to these actions of protest Refuses to follow English example Views on achieving freedom remain unchanged Gandhi’s Principles

9. WWII GB went to war w/Germany 1939 IN Congress criticized GB, but remained neutral GB needed India’s support (largest colony) Trade/military center Had to be secured against Japanese Churchill sent Sir Richard Stafford Cripps to negotiate The Cripps Mission tried to gain India’s support: Indians – more representation in central government Would obtain Constituent Assembly India would elevate to Dominion status (close to full independence) India disappointed – wanted withdrawal from GB  Gandhi said British should withdraw or be expelled IN Congress met twice in 1942 and passed “Quit India” resolution Demanded that GB grant India TOTAL INDEPENDENCE!!!

10. “Quit India” by Mahatma Gandhi - August 8, 1942 Delivered at the Gowalia Tank Maidan – Bombay (Mumbai) Has become known as Kranti Maidan (Aug. Revolution Ground) Launched “Quit India” movement (Bharat Chhodo Andolan) Called Indians to FIGHT to the death for independence Closest they had come was Home Rule (self-government) Result was mass revolts, protests, and civil disobedience Bloodshed August 9, 1942 (British fired on crowds, tear gas) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTNARKHIK8Y

11. British Suppression that Followed Gandhi and wife Kasturba Gandhi imprisoned Other Congress leaders jailed: Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (1888-1958) Sardar Wallabhbhai Patel (1875-1950) Public assemblies and Congress’s leadership committees banned Many Indians fined/arrested Did movement fail? https://adobe99u.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/spark.jpg

12. Communal Conflict Relationships between Hindus/Muslims tensed GB proposed plan for partition June 3, 1947 Divide India into India and Pakistan Numerous violent acts and violence have occurred over the years, mostly caused by communal & religious issues December 6, 1992 Ayodhya riots Hindu extremists destroyed a Muslim mosque Retaliation including bombings 2002 – Hindu pilgrims burned alive in a train Thousands of Muslims killed by Hindu extremists

13. Speech Breakdown Paragraph 1 If you hear me, audience, you have responsibility to act Paragraph 2 I’m still the same guy! Paragraph 3 I believe in pure non-violence, my God-given weapon I cannot stand by and just watch Paragraph 4 We are fighting for independence, not to have a dictator Doesn’t matter who will rule once we are free

14. Speech Breakdown Paragraph 5 We are in a huge fight for freedom Want equal freedom for all You should forget our differences as Hindus & Muslims – we have a common struggle Paragraph 6 I hear your terrible attitudes toward the British Separate British imperialism from the British people India has been helping w/$ - big sacrifice We deserve freedom The British needs us now more than ever – “save them from their mistakes”