Gandhi Irwin Pact was signed in which year?
VerifiedAnswer: 1931
Explanation:
The Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed on March 5, 1931, marking a significant milestone in India's freedom struggle. This historic agreement was reached between Mahatma Gandhi, representing the Indian National Congress, and Lord Irwin, who served as the Viceroy of India from 1926 to 1931.
This pact came as a result of the Salt Satyagraha or Dandi March, which Gandhi had launched in 1930 to protest against the British monopoly on salt production and the hefty salt tax imposed on Indians. The movement gained massive support across the country and put considerable pressure on the British government.
The key provisions of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact included several important concessions from the British side. The British government agreed to release all political prisoners who had been jailed during the Civil Disobedience Movement, except those who had committed violent crimes. They also permitted Indians to manufacture salt for domestic consumption and allowed the collection of natural salt from the seashore.
In return, Gandhi agreed to suspend the Civil Disobedience Movement and participate in the Second Round Table Conference in London as the sole representative of the Indian National Congress. This conference was aimed at discussing constitutional reforms for India and the future of Indian governance.
The pact was also known as the Delhi Pact since it was signed in New Delhi. While it provided temporary relief and showed that the British were willing to negotiate with Indian leaders, many critics argued that the gains were limited. The pact did not address the fundamental demand for complete independence, and the constitutional discussions in London later proved to be unsuccessful.
Remember that 1931 was a crucial year in India's independence movement, as it demonstrated Gandhi's skill as a negotiator and the British government's recognition of the growing strength of the Indian freedom struggle. The pact showed that peaceful resistance and negotiation could yield results, even if temporary, in the fight against colonial rule.
