The Gandhi Irwin Pact: A Turning Point in India's Freedom Struggle

 The Gandhi-Irwin Pact of 1931 was a key agreement between Mahatma Gandhi and the British Viceroy, Lord Irwin, to ease tensions between Indian nationalists and the British government. This pact came after the rejection of Gandhi’s 11 demands under the Civil Disobedience Movement, which led to widespread protests. Following the release of Gandhi and Congress leaders from jail in January 1931, talks were initiated, resulting in the pact. Gandhi agreed to stop the movement, while Irwin promised to release political prisoners and allow Indians to make and use salt freely. The agreement opened the door for future constitutional talks between India and Britain.

What was the Gandhi Irwin pact?

The Gandhi-Irwin Pact, signed on March 5, 1931, was a major agreement between Mahatma Gandhi and British Viceroy Lord Irwin. It marked the end of the Civil Disobedience Movement, which began with the Salt March in 1930. Gandhi’s arrest sparked widespread protests and the imprisonment of thousands, including Jawaharlal Nehru. After his release in January 1931, Gandhi and Irwin held eight meetings over 24 hours. Gandhi agreed to suspend the movement, while the British promised to release over 90,000 political prisoners and permit salt production for personal use. This pact paved the way for Gandhi’s attendance at the Second Round Table Conference in London.

• Date of Agreement: March 5, 1931
• Signed Between: Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Irwin (Viceroy of India)
• Background: Followed the Salt March and Civil Disobedience Movement (1930)
• Trigger: Gandhi’s arrest for making salt led to widespread protests and mass imprisonments
• Prisoners: Over 90,000 Indians, including leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, were jailed
• Gandhi’s Release: January 1931, to begin talks with Lord Irwin
• Meetings Held: 8 meetings over a total of 24 hours
• Key Terms:
  • Gandhi agreed to end the Civil Disobedience Movement
  • Britain agreed to release political prisoners
  • Indians allowed to make salt for personal use
• Outcome: Helped Gandhi attend the Second Round Table Conference in London (Sept–Dec 1931)
• Significance: A major political step in India’s freedom movement and British-Indian negotiations

Features of the Gandhi Irwin Pact

The Gandhi-Irwin Pact included several important features that aimed to ease tensions between the British government and the Indian National Congress. As part of the agreement, Congress agreed to end the Civil Disobedience Movement and participate in the upcoming Round Table Conference. In return, the British promised to remove harsh laws, release political prisoners, and lift the salt tax.

• The Indian National Congress agreed to join the Round Table Conference.
• Congress would stop the Civil Disobedience Movement.
• The British agreed to withdraw laws that restricted Congress activities.
• All cases, except those related to violence, would be dropped.
• Political prisoners involved in the movement would be released.
• The salt tax would be removed, allowing people to make salt freely.

Gandhi Irwin Pact: Overview

Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Irwin, the Viceroy of India at the time, signed the Gandhi Irwin Pact, also known as the Delhi Pact, on March 5, 1931. Gandhi and the British government had discussions at the Second Round Table Conference in London, which led to the agreement.

Aspect	Details
Name of Agreement	Gandhi Irwin Pact.
Date Signed	March 5, 1931.
Parties Involved	Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Irwin (serving as an agent of the Indian colonial administration of Britain).
Purpose	To bring an end to the Civil Disobedience Movement and ensure Gandhi and other political prisoners’ release. The Congress consented to take part in the Second Round Table Conference to be held in London to talk about the future of Indian politics.
Movement Suspension	In exchange for concessions from the British government, Gandhi consented to halt the Civil Disobedience Movement, which included the Salt Satyagraha.
Political Prisoners’ Release	The British government consented to free Gandhi and all other political prisoners detained during the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Taking Part in Round Table Conferences	Gandhi consented to take part in the Second Round Table Conference to talk about constitutional changes and the future of the Indian government in London.
Dalits’ Representation	Gandhi ensured that the Dalit community, also known as the untouchables, had representation at the Round Table Conference and a voice in discussions.
Congress’ Position	agreed to put an end to the CDO movement, but they didn’t give up on their demand for total independence.
British Government’s Position	agreed to talk with Congress and free political prisoners; however, they did not commit to grant independence right away.
Significance	The agreement opened the door for further talks and signaled a brief ceasefire between Congress and the British colonial government. A new stage in the Indian independence movement was also signaled by it.
Outcome	There was no consensus reached regarding India’s political future at the Second Round Table Conference, which took place in London. India attained independence in 1947, and the Civil Disobedience Movement was revived by Congress in 1932.

Background of the Gandhi Irwin Pact

Between March and April 1930, Mahatma Gandhi began the Salt March, which kicked off the Civil Disobedience Movement against British rule. His arrest for making salt led to widespread protests, with thousands, including leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, jailed by the end of the year. The movement gained global attention, and the British government faced heavy criticism. To ease tensions, Gandhi and other leaders were released from prison in January 1931. Viceroy Lord Irwin invited Gandhi for talks, and Congress President Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel gave Gandhi the authority to negotiate. This marked the first time Gandhi and Irwin met as equals ahead of the Second Round Table Conference.

• Gandhi launched the Salt March in March 1930, starting the Civil Disobedience Movement.
• He was arrested for making salt, sparking mass protests across India.
• Thousands, including leaders like Nehru, were jailed by the end of 1930.
• The British faced global criticism for their harsh treatment of Indians.
• In January 1931, Gandhi and other leaders were released from jail.
• Lord Irwin invited Gandhi for negotiations to resolve the crisis.
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, then Congress President, permitted Gandhi to lead the talks.
• Gandhi and Irwin met for the first time as equals ahead of the Second Round Table Conference.

Proposals by Gandhi in the Gandhi Irwin Pact

Certainly! Let’s rephrase those points:

1. Salt March Discontinuation:
   • The Indian National Congress halted the Salt March.
   • This iconic protest against the salt tax had a significant impact on India’s independence movement.
2. Participation in Second Round Table Conference:
   • The Indian National Congress actively participated in the Second Round Table Conference.
   • These conferences aimed to address constitutional issues in India.
3. Withdrawal of Ordinances:
   • The Colonial government withdrew all ordinances that restricted the activities of the Indian National Congress.
   • This move allowed greater political freedom.
4. Rowlatt Act Prosecutions:
   • Prosecutions related to political offenses (except violent ones) under the Rowlatt Act were withdrawn.
   • This eased the pressure on political activists.
5. Release of Salt March Prisoners:
   • Prisoners arrested during the Salt March were released.
   • Their sacrifice contributed to the movement.
6. Salt Tax Removal:
   • The tax on salt was abolished, allowing Indians to legally produce, trade, and sell salt for personal use.

Gandhi’s 11 Demands Table to Lord Irwin

Gandhi put forward 11 demands or agenda to Irwin. They are:

Demand	Details
1. Prohibit intoxicants	Ban the production and sale of alcohol.
8. Accept the Postal Reservation Bill	Adjust the rupee-sterling ratio favorably.
3. Reduce land revenue	Lower taxes on agricultural land.
4. Abolish salt tax	Eliminate the unjust salt tax imposed on Indians.
5. Reduce military expenditure	Cut down spending on the military.
6. Reduce civil administration expenses	Limit excessive administrative costs.
7. Impose duty on foreign cloth	Introduce customs duty to promote local textiles.
8. Accept Postal Reservation Bill	Approve the bill to protect Indian postal services.
9. Abolish the CID department	Disband the Criminal Investigation Department.
10. Release political prisoners	Free all individuals jailed for political reasons.
11. Issue arms licenses	Allow citizens to own arms for self-protection.

Gandhi emphasized these demands to address both economic oppression and political rights. After Irwin ignored them, Gandhi launched the Dandi March, triggering the Civil Disobedience Movement—a pivotal step towards Indian independence.

Result of Gandhi Irwin Pact

1. The agreement paved the way for the Government of India Act 1935, which reduced the diarchy and increased the number of Indian legislators in the central legislature.
2. Gandhi consented to participate in the second Round Table Conference in London as a Satyagrahi.
3. Members of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) attended the second conference in September 1931.
4. The agreement solidified the Indian National Congress’s position as a political force with the backing of millions of Indians.
5. All ordinances prohibiting peaceful protests were repealed.
6. Lord Irwin agreed to release imprisoned individuals from the movement.
7. Leaders detained during the Civil Disobedience Movement were freed, and their confiscated properties were returned.
8. Mahatma Gandhi also agreed to end the satyagraha campaign.
9. Restrictions on the production of indigenous salt along the Indian coasts were lifted. This allowed Indians to produce salt for personal use.
10. Following the successful relaxation of the diarchy in 1935, elections in Indian provinces in 1937 empowered elected Indian MPs.

What are the 11 demands of Gandhi to Lord Irwin?

1. Complete independence for India (Swaraj).
2. End of salt taxes and allow the manufacture of salt by Indians.
3. Abolition of land revenue taxes.
4. Reduction in military expenditure.
5. Release of all political prisoners.
6. End to the repressive laws like the Arms Act and the Press Act.
7. Restoration of civil liberties.
8. Rehabilitation of those affected by the salt laws.
9. The right to peacefully assemble and protest.
10. Reduction in the powers of the government to arrest without trial.
11. Equal status for Indian citizens under the law.

Gandhi-Irwin Pact – Unmet Demands of Gandhi:

• Commutation of Bhagat Singh and his associates’ death sentences to life imprisonment.
• A public investigation into police brutality during the movement’s suppression.

About the Gandhi Irwin Pact (1931)

• The Gandhi-Irwin Pact, also known as the Delhi Pact, was an agreement signed in 1931 between Mahatma Gandhi and the then Viceroy of India, Lord Irwin.
• The pact aimed to end the Civil Disobedience Movement and secure Congress’s participation in the Second Round Table Conference (RTC).
• This agreement reflected a compromise between the Indian nationalists and the British government, each seeking to advance their respective goals while addressing immediate concerns.
• The Gandhi-Irwin Pact, also known as the Delhi Pact, was signed on March 5, 1931.

What were the Consequences of the Gandhi Irwin Pact?

1. The Gandhi Irwin Pact garnered appreciation for India’s heroic struggle for independence.
2. Gandhiji agreed to participate in the second Round Table Conference in London as a Satyagrahi.
3. Mahatma Gandhi also consented to end the satyagraha campaign.
4. Lord Irwin agreed to release those imprisoned during the movement.
5. The Gandhi Irwin Pact permitted Indians to produce salt for domestic use.
6. Many conservatives in England criticized Viceroy Lord Irwin for negotiating with their chief adversary of British rule.
7. Many Indians and supporters of satyagraha were disappointed by Gandhiji’s decision to halt the civil disobedience movement.
8. During the Civil Disobedience Movement, people were filled with a sense of victory. However, Gandhiji believed the nation needed a pause in the movement to prepare for the next phase with renewed vigor.

Key Provisions of the Gandhi Irwin Pact

Under the pact, the British government made several concessions to address the demands of the Indian National Congress:

• Salt Concession: People living within a specified distance of the seashore were allowed to manufacture or collect salt without paying any tax or duty.
• Release of Political Prisoners: All political prisoners not involved in violent activities were to be released immediately.
• Fines and Land Returns: All fines imposed but not yet collected were to be remitted, and confiscated land not sold to third parties was to be returned.
• Withdrawal of Repressive Measures: All ordinances and pending prosecutions against Congress workers were to be withdrawn.
• Leniency Towards Resigned Officials: Government employees who had resigned as part of the movement were to be treated leniently.
• Peaceful Protest Rights: Non-aggressive and peaceful picketing of liquor and foreign cloth shops was allowed.

In exchange, Gandhi and the Congress agreed to:

• Suspend the Civil Disobedience Movement: The ongoing mass protest and defiance of colonial laws were to be halted.
• Participation in Second RTC: Congress would send representatives, including Gandhi, to the Second Round Table Conference in London.

Significance of the Gandhi Irwin Pact

1. Mahatma Gandhi’s technique of Satyagraha gained prominence in the pact.
2. Satyagraha, often described as a “struggle,” “rebellion,” or “war without violence,” played a central role.
3. Satyagraha aimed not at physically eliminating or morally breaking an adversary.
4. Instead, it sought to initiate a psychological process, bridging minds and hearts.
5. A compromise with an opponent was natural and necessary during this struggle.
6. If a premature compromise occurred and the adversary remained unrepentant, the satyagraha could return to a non-violent battle.
7. The pact marked the second high-level meeting between Gandhi and a Viceroy in 13 years, following the Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms in 1919.

Comparison of the Gandhi Irwin Pact with Othеrs

The Gandhi Irwin Pact, signed in 1931, marked a temporary trucе during India’s strugglе for indеpеndеncе,  focusing on prisonеr rеlеasе and dialogue. In contrast, the Simon Commission (1927) was boycottеd due to its all-British composition, rеflеcting growing dissеnt. 

The Shimla Agrееmеnt (1972) aimed to normalizе rеlations between India and Pakistan after the 1971 war. Thеsе agreements illustrate various phases of India’s quest for freedom, diplomatic challеngеs, and efforts towards pеacе.   

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• The Quit India Movement

Opposition or Criticism of the Gandhi Irwin Pact

The Gandhi Irwin Pact, while considered a landmark agreement, faced significant criticism and opposition from various quarters, both within and outside the Indian freedom movement.

1. Discontent Among Revolutionaries:
   Many radical leaders and revolutionaries felt that the pact was a betrayal of the sacrifices made during the Civil Disobedience Movement. Leaders like Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru were not granted clemency under the pact, despite widespread demands. This led to anger and disillusionment among the youth and revolutionaries who believed in a more aggressive approach to independence.
2. Failure to Achieve Complete Independence:
   Critics argued that the pact did not address the demand for Purna Swaraj (complete independence), which was the ultimate goal of the Indian National Congress. The British only agreed to limited concessions, such as the release of political prisoners and the return of confiscated property, which many felt were insufficient.
3. Lack of Concrete British Commitment:
   The agreement was seen as heavily tilted in favor of the British government. There was no clear timeline or assurance for the fulfillment of India’s larger political demands, such as granting Dominion Status or convening a Constituent Assembly.
4. Internal Divisions within the Congress:
   Several Congress leaders, including Subhas Chandra Bose, were critical of Gandhi’s decision to compromise. They believed that suspending the Civil Disobedience Movement weakened the momentum of the struggle and gave the British time to regroup.
5. Perceived Weakness on Gandhi’s Part:
   Some viewed Gandhi’s willingness to negotiate as a sign of weakness, particularly after the success of the Salt March and the widespread participation in the Civil Disobedience Movement. The pact was perceived by some as conceding too much without securing significant gains in return.
6. Exclusion of Broader Representation:
   The pact primarily reflected Gandhi’s negotiations with Lord Irwin and excluded other political and regional voices. This led to a perception that it did not truly represent the diverse aspirations of all Indians.
7. Economic Issues Left Unaddressed:
   Economic issues such as heavy taxation, exploitation of Indian farmers, and the economic drain of wealth to Britain were not adequately addressed in the pact, leaving many dissatisfied.

Personalities Bеhind thе Gandhi Irwin Pact

• Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) was a rеvеrеd Indian leader who championed nonviolеnt rеsistancе in India’s fight for indеpеndеncе.  His principles of truth,  nonviolеncе,  and civil disobedience left an indеliblе mark on global history.  
• Lord Irwin (1881-1959),  thе 1st Baron Irwin, sеrvеd as thе Vicеroy of India from 1926 to 1931. He engaged Gandhi in dialoguеs, resulting in the Gandhi Irwin Pact,  a tеmporary trucе during India’s strugglе for indеpеndеncе.  His diplomatic efforts pavеd thе way for future nеgotiations.  

Mahatma Gandhi lеd nеgotiations from thе Indian sidе,  advocating for political concеssions,  prisonеr rеlеasе,  and rеforms.  His commitment to nonviolеncе and dialoguе shapеd thе talks.  Lord Irwin,  as Vicеroy, initiated discussions with Gandhi, leading to thе Pact.  His diplomatic efforts rеcognizеd Gandhi’s influеncе and markеd an еarly stеp towards addressing India’s demands for self-governance and indеpеndеncе.  

Significance of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact for UPSC

The Gandhi-Irwin Pact is an important topic in the History section of the UPSC Civil Services Examination, especially in General Studies. It holds significant value for aspirants, including those who choose History as an optional subject. This political agreement was signed on March 5, 1931, between Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Irwin, the Viceroy of India at the time, and marked a key moment in India’s struggle for independence.

Conclusion

Thе Gandhi Irwin Pact, or Gandhi Irwin samjhota, signed in 1931, marked a critical juncturе in India’s frееdom strugglе.  It tеmporarily haltеd thе Civil Disobеdiеncе Movеmеnt,  allowing dialoguе bеtwееn Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Irwin.  Whilе thе pact’s immеdiatе impact was limitеd,  it sеt thе tonе for nеgotiations,  paving thе way for furthеr discussions and ultimatеly contributing to India’s path towards indеpеndеncе. The primary goal behind launching the mass Satyagraha movement was to catalyze a psychological transformation among Indians, encouraging them to unite for self-rule. Gandhi initiated this movement due to the lack of proactive steps from Indians. In this context, the introduction of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact was deemed necessary.

This pact held great significance: it underscored the Indian National Congress’s (INC) stature as a leading national party and facilitated the Government of India Act 1935, which relaxed colonial authority restrictions. It holds historical significance as a pivotal momеnt of dialoguе during India’s strugglе for frееdom.  It undеrscorеs thе powеr of nеgotiation and compromisе in conflict rеsolution.  It offеrs a lеsson in diplomacy in contеmporary timеs,  showing how opеn dialoguе can facilitatе undеrstanding and progrеss in rеsolving complеx issuеs,  transcеnding еras and contеxts. 

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