The Indian independence movement had been active since the late 1800s, but started to lead to big changes around the 1920s. Gandhi came to India in 1915, after leading a major non violence movement in South Africa. In 1920, he started the first non-cooperation movement. This movement campaigned the use of Indian materials for making products as opposed to British materials. The movement also supported a boycott on British schools, courts, and taxes. After this Gandhi was sent to prison for the first time. Gandhi also greatly influenced the creation of the Quit India movement. The goal of the movement was to force the Colonial British Government to negotiate by holding the Allied war effort hostage. Gandhi called for massive nonviolent civil disobedience if demands were not met. The British responded by imprisoning Gandhi and other leaders, as well as making their associated party illegal. The public reaction was enormous and widespread, with hundreds of mostly-nonviolent protests and work strikes. This brief history of Gandhi and his involvement in the Indian independence movement should be helpful for understanding why the image is so timeless, historically significant, symbolic, and recognisable.
