๐ Key Facts
- Date: 4 February 1922
- Place: Chauri Chaura, Gorakhpur (present-day Uttar Pradesh)
- Related Movement: Non-Cooperation Movement
- Casualties:
- 3 civilians
- 22 policemen
- Immediate Outcome: Movement withdrawn by Mahatma Gandhi (12 Feb 1922)
๐ Background
- The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920) encouraged boycott of British institutions and goods.
- Peasants in the region were already unhappy due to:
- High taxes
- Rising food prices
- Local leadership included Bhagwan Ahir.
- On 2 February 1922, police arrested and beat protesters, increasing public anger.
โ๏ธ The Incident
- On 4 February, a large group of protesters marched demanding release of arrested leaders.
- Police opened fire, killing three civilians.
- In retaliation, the angry crowd:
- Attacked the police station
- Set it on fire
- 22 policemen were killed in the blaze.
โ๏ธ British Response
- Around 225 people were arrested.
- Initially:
- 172 sentenced to death
- After appeals:
- 19 executed
- Others given life imprisonment or long jail terms
๐ง Gandhiโs Reaction
- Mahatma Gandhi strongly condemned the violence.
- He observed that Indians were not ready for non-violent struggle.
- Took a fast for self-purification.
- Suspended the Non-Cooperation Movement on 12 February 1922.
๐ Impact & Significance
1. End of Non-Cooperation Movement
- A major national movement was suddenly withdrawn.
2. Division in Leadership
- Leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose felt it was a setback.
3. Emphasis on Non-Violence
- Reinforced Gandhiโs belief in strict discipline and เค เคนเคฟเคเคธเคพ (non-violence).
๐๏ธ Memory & Commemoration
- British built a memorial in 1923 for the policemen.
- Later, memorials for revolutionaries were added:
- Shaheed Smarak (foundation by Indira Gandhi in 1982, inaugurated in 1993)
- In 2021, Narendra Modi marked the centenary and released a commemorative stamp.
๐ฏ One-Line Revision
๐ โThe Chauri Chaura Incident (1922) led to the withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement due to violent actions by protesters.โ