AI-generated practice question — model-generated for extra practice, not a previous-year CBSE board question.
Gandhi chose a staged approach because he understood that mass civil disobedience was difficult to control and could easily turn violent. By beginning with the surrender of titles and boycott of councils, schools, and foreign goods, he allowed people to build discipline and commitment gradually. Full civil disobedience would only be launched if the government used repression.
This reveals that Gandhi's strategy was rooted in satyagraha — appealing to conscience rather than force. He prioritised non-violence and wanted to ensure the movement remained morally strong and organised before escalating.
Source: Why Non-cooperation?, Chapter 2
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Examiners expect two things here: (1) the practical reason — staged approach prevents premature violence and builds mass discipline; (2) the strategic/philosophical reason — it reflects satyagraha principles. Always link back to the source text (surrender of titles → boycott → civil disobedience only if repression occurs). Avoid writing a general essay on Gandhi; keep it focused on the staged structure and what it reveals about his thinking.