HistoryModern India: Mahatma Gandhi and the Nationalist movement

Which of the following was NOT a term of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact of 193…

Which of the following was NOT a term of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact of 1931?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 4

The correct answer is Option (4) → Political independence would be granted to Indians

Option (1) Civil disobedience would be called off — A term of the pact. The pact provided that civil disobedience would be called off.

Option (2) All prisoners would be released — A term of the pact. The release of all prisoners was agreed under the pact.

Option (3) Salt manufacture would be allowed along the coast — A term of the pact. The pact allowed salt manufacture along the coast.

Option (4) Political independence would be granted to Indians — Not a term of the pact. Gandhiji failed to obtain a commitment to political independence. He got only an assurance of talks, which is why radical nationalists criticised the pact.

NCERT (2026-27): “3.2 Dialogues …
To that end, the British government convened a series of “Round Table Conferences” in London. The first meeting was held in November 1930, but without the pre-eminent political leader in India, thus rendering it an exercise in futility. Gandhiji was released from jail in January 1931 and the following month had several long meetings with the Viceroy. These culminated in what was called the “Gandhi-Irwin Pact’, by the terms of which civil disobedience would be called off, all prisoners released, and salt manufacture allowed along the coast. The pact was criticised by radical nationalists, for Gandhiji was unable to obtain from the Viceroy a commitment to political independence for Indians; he could obtain merely an assurance of talks towards that possible end.”