Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22): Timeline, Causes, Khilafat Connection

The Non-Cooperation Movement arose against the backdrop of post-World War I unrest and repressive policies:

• World War I: The First World War led to unprecedented hardship in India. British colonial extraction and the forced participation of India in the war caused economic disruption: prices soared, essential goods became scarce, and taxes increased steeply. To finance the war, the British government compelled Indian farmers to grow cash crops, which not only reduced food grain cultivation but also made rural incomes more uncertain. Meanwhile, Indian soldiers widely expected postwar political reforms as a reward for their sacrifices, but these hopes were dashed, deepening resentment.

• Rowlatt Act: The British government passed the Rowlatt Act to curb nationalist activities, granting government authorities sweeping powers to detain Indians without trial on mere suspicion. This draconian “black law” bypassed fundamental legal processes and provoked a wave of outrage across the country. Mahatma Gandhi responded by organizing a nationwide Satyagraha to protest this assault on civil liberties, setting the stage for a broader resistance.

• Jallianwala Bagh (Apr 1919): The brutality at Jallianwala Bagh, where British troops under General Dyer opened fire on a peaceful gathering—killing and injuring hundreds—deeply shocked the nation. The Hunter Commission’s failure to hold anyone accountable, and official British support for Dyer, intensified Indian anger and destroyed whatever trust remained between Indians and British authorities.

• Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919): While presented as a step towards self-government, these reforms introduced “dyarchy,” which divided powers between British officials and elected Indians but left real control in colonial hands. Most Indian leaders, including many moderates, considered the reforms inadequate and insincere, further alienating the political mainstream.

• Khilafat Movement (1919–24): Indian Muslims were angered by British actions threatening the Ottoman Caliphate after WWI—a religious issue of great significance. Recognizing the potential for joint Hindu–Muslim anti-British action, Mahatma Gandhi allied the Indian National Congress with Khilafat leaders. This partnership made the NCM a genuinely pan-Indian movement and gave it mass appeal beyond previous boundaries

• Economic Hardship: The war years drained India’s economy—agriculture suffered from forced indigo and cotton cultivation, leading to food shortages. Inflation eroded incomes, unemployment rose, and the government did little to support distressed peasants and workers. Heavy taxes, including wartime imposts, burdened even the middle class and small traders. This broad and worsening economic suffering created fertile ground for mass mobilization.