How Far Did Satyagraha Play a Role in Gandhi's Success by 1922?

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How far did Satyagraha play a role in Gandhi’s success by 1922? There were many reasons other than Satyagraha that helped Gandhi to succeed, although Satyagraha played an important role. The success of Gandhi also depended on the opinions of the people in India and within congress. Many people thought that the Raj ruling benefitted India as they had a chance of experiencing modernisation, but others believed that self-sufficiency was very important in achieving immediate swaraj. Other roles such as his connections and boost in expertise could also have played a role in Gandhi’s success. Satyagraha was a concept that originated from Gandhi’s belief of using nonviolence. It surrounded the idea of soul-force and the belief that non-cooperation with the Raj and what they imposed would lead to swaraj peacefully. The concept within itself was a good idea as many people would be able to identify to his nonviolent protest and therefore support what he aimed to achieve. Gandhi increased the identity of himself to the Indian people by adopting the ‘Peasant life’. This meant that he discarded all the western clothing of an English lawyer and wore a dhoti (indian cloth for men). He also adopted all of what the peasants did and in 1951 he began a routine of charka (spinning wheel). Gandhi’s strong belief of self-sufficiency gained many supporters as they found his aim much more understandable. As well as his adoption of ‘peasant life’ he rejected all aspects of western life and the lifestyle of the Indians who were part of his caste and profession. This resulted in his belonging to ashrams. These were small religious communities who were gathered around a certain guru. Gandhi’s renunciation of his values and beliefs also got him the name of Mahatma meaning ‘the great soul’. Satyagraha gave Gandhi a foundation to base his beliefs, this also enabled him to formulate a plan.
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