HSLC 2012, 2016, 2017, 2020
The Non-Cooperation Movement (Asahayog Andolan) was one of the most powerful mass movements in India’s freedom struggle. Launched in 1920 and continuing till 1922, the movement was led by the Indian National Congress under the guidance of Mahatma Gandhi. Its main objective was to end British rule through peaceful resistance and non-violence (ahimsa).
In Assam, there were initial differences of opinion within the Assam Association. Leaders such as Ganga Gobinda Barua, Tara Prasad Chaliha, Ghanashyam Barua and Chandradhar Barua believed that the Association should maintain its independent identity so that it could better address local issues specific to Assam.
However, after detailed discussions, the Assam Association finally decided to support the national movement. At its 17th session held at Tezpur in December 1920, the Association passed a resolution to join the Non-Cooperation Movement and follow the directives of the Indian National Congress.
The movement in Assam soon became an integral part of the national struggle with the formation of the Assam Provincial Congress Committee (APCC) in June 1921. Kuladhar Chaliha was elected President and Nabin Chandra Bordoloi became the Secretary of the APCC, providing organised leadership to the movement in the province.
The Non-Cooperation Movement in Assam reached its peak after Mahatma Gandhi’s visit in August 1921. His meetings in major towns of Assam attracted massive crowds. Inspired by his call, people actively joined the boycott of British goods and publicly burnt foreign products as a sign of protest against colonial rule.
Assamese youth played a crucial role in the movement. Under the leadership of Chandranath Sarma, Hemchandra Barua, Omeo Kumar Das and Muhibuddin Ahmed, students boycotted government schools and colleges. Prominent youth leaders included Lakhidhar Sarma, Rohinikanta Hatibarua, Bimalakanta Barua, Kanak Chandra Barua, Benudhar Sarma and Tilak Sarma.
The movement also saw strong participation from professionals. Renowned lawyers such as Nabin Chandra Bordoloi, Kuladhar Chaliha, Tarunram Phukan, Kamini Kumar Chanda and Bishnuram Medhi gave up their legal practice to join the struggle. Many government officials and teachers resigned from their posts as an act of protest.
With the spread of nationalist ideas, national schools were established in places like Gauhati, Nalbari, Jorhat, Tezpur, Sibsagar, Nowgong, Karimganj and Maulavibazar. The first national school, called Tilak Memorial School, was founded in Gauhati in February 1921 in memory of Bal Gangadhar Tilak. It initially functioned from Rohini Kumar Chaudhury’s residence at Bharalumukh and was later shifted to the Assam Club at Uzan Bazar. Alongside education, leaders also promoted constructive activities.
One of the most significant impacts of the movement in Assam was the decline in opium consumption. Due to an intense anti-opium campaign led by Congress workers, opium consumption dropped sharply from 1,615 maunds in 1920–21 to 993 maunds in 1922–23, resulting in a revenue loss of ₹19 lakh for the colonial government.
Another important reform was the promotion of khadi, both in usage and production, which encouraged self-reliance among the people.
The movement also received unprecedented support from tea garden labourers, who used this opportunity to protest against colonial exploitation. In May 1921, nearly 8,000 labourers from 13 tea gardens in the Chargola and Longai valleys of Karimganj subdivision joined the agitation under Congress leadership. Raising slogans like “Gandhi Maharaj Ki Jai”, they demanded higher wages and better conditions.
Alarmed by the mass exodus of workers, British planters pressured the administration to intervene. The situation turned violent, leading to the death of hundreds of labourers, while many others were forcibly sent back to their gardens.