Gandhi IRWIN Pact or Delhi Pact related question?
VerifiedAnswer: Formation 1931
Explanation:
The Gandhi-Irwin Pact, also known as the Delhi Pact, was indeed formed in 1931. This historic agreement was signed on March 5, 1931, between Mahatma Gandhi, representing the Indian National Congress, and Lord Irwin, the then Viceroy of India.
This pact came as a result of the famous Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha) that Gandhi had led in 1930. The Salt March was a direct action campaign of tax resistance and nonviolent protest against the British salt monopoly. After months of civil disobedience and mounting pressure, the British government realized the need for negotiations with the Indian leadership.
The key provisions of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact included several important points. Gandhi agreed to suspend the Civil Disobedience Movement and participate in the Second Round Table Conference in London. In return, Lord Irwin agreed to release all political prisoners who had been arrested during the movement, except those guilty of violence. The pact also allowed people living near the seacoast to make salt for their personal consumption, which was a significant concession regarding the salt tax.
The significance of this 1931 agreement cannot be understated in the context of India's freedom struggle. It marked the first time that the British government officially recognized Gandhi and the Indian National Congress as equal partners in political negotiations. This recognition was crucial for the legitimacy of the independence movement on the international stage.
However, the pact also faced criticism from various quarters. Many freedom fighters felt that Gandhi had made too many concessions without getting substantial gains in return. The agreement did not address the core demand of complete independence (Purna Swaraj) that the Congress had declared in 1930. Instead, it focused on immediate practical issues and keeping the dialogue alive between the two parties.
The timing of the pact in 1931 was also significant because it came during the global economic depression. Both Britain and India were facing economic challenges, and the continued civil disobedience was adding to the administrative and financial burden on the colonial government. The pact provided a temporary relief and allowed both sides to regroup and reassess their strategies.
Although Gandhi attended the Second Round Table Conference as promised, the talks ultimately failed to produce the desired results. This led to the resumption of the Civil Disobedience Movement when Gandhi returned to India. Despite its limited immediate success, the Gandhi-Irwin Pact of 1931 remains an important milestone in India's journey toward independence, demonstrating the power of non-violent resistance and diplomatic negotiation in the freedom struggle.
