Assess the impact of the Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience movements in Odisha. Role of Gopabandhu Das and Rama Devi.

The decade of 1920–1930 marked a paradigm shift in the Odia Movement, as it transitioned from a regional linguistic struggle to an integral part of the Indian National Movement. Under the leadership of Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das, Odisha responded vigorously to Mahatma Gandhi's call for Non-Cooperation (1921) and Civil Disobedience (1930), merging the local grievances of the peasantry with the national goal of Swaraj.

1. The Non-Cooperation Movement (NCM) in Odisha (1921–22)

The NCM in Odisha was characterized by a massive peasant awakening and the boycott of foreign institutions:

  • Gandhi’s Visit (1921): Gandhi’s visit to Cuttack, Puri, and Berhampur ignited a nationalist fire. People donated generously to the Tilak Swaraj Fund.
  • Boycott and Swadeshi: Students left government schools (notably the Ravenshaw College) to join National Schools like the Satyabadi Vanavidyalaya. Bonfires of foreign cloth were common in major towns.
  • Kanika Agitation: The movement coincided with the peasant uprising in the Kanika Estate against oppressive taxes. Gopabandhu Das linked the peasants' plight with the NCM, leading to his arrest in 1922.

2. The Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) in Odisha (1930–34)

Odisha played a heroic role in the CDM, specifically through the Salt Satyagraha, which resonated with the coastal population:

  • Inchudi Satyagraha: Inchudi (Balasore) became the "second Dandi" of India. Led by Harekrushna Mahtab and Surendra Nath Das, it saw one of the most successful illegal salt manufacturing campaigns in the country.
  • Expansion: The movement spread to Kujanga (Cuttack), Huma (Ganjam), and Astaranga (Puri). Even women and children joined the "Salt Marches" in defiance of British law.
  • Impact: The CDM in Odisha proved that the "passive" Odia peasantry could be a formidable political force. It successfully crippled the salt revenue of the British in the province.

3. Role of Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das

Gopabandhu Das was the moral compass of the nationalist movement in Odisha:

  • Nationalizing the Odia Cause: At the 1920 Nagpur Session of the INC, he successfully integrated the Utkal Sammilani with the Congress, prioritizing Swaraj alongside the demand for a separate province.
  • The Satyabadi Era: Through the Satyabadi Vanavidyalaya and his newspaper The Samaja, he created a cadre of dedicated "Panchasakhas" who served as the frontline of the freedom struggle.
  • Humanitarianism: His philosophy of "Let my body be mingled in the soil of this land" inspired thousands to selfless service during famines and floods, earning him the title Utkalmani (Jewel of Odisha).

4. Role of Rama Devi (Maa Rama Devi)

Rama Devi emerged as the leader of the women’s awakening in Odisha:

  • Pioneering Participation: Defying the traditional Purdah system, she led the women’s contingent in the Inchudi Salt Satyagraha. She was the first woman in Odisha to be arrested for political activities.
  • Constructive Work: Following Gandhi’s footsteps, she focused on Harijan upliftment and the promotion of Khadi. She established the Alakashram at Jagatsinghpur as a training ground for women revolutionaries.
  • Symbol of Sacrifice: Her leadership during the Quit India Movement and her tireless social service during the 1943 famine earned her the affectionate title "Maa" (Mother) from the people.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience movements were the fire-tempering processes that forged the modern Odia political identity. If Gopabandhu Das provided the intellectual and emotional foundation, Rama Devi ensured that the movement reached the households and hearts of the masses. These movements represent the successful synthesis of regional pride and national duty.