Who were active in civil disobedience …

a. Rich peasants communities- like Patidars of Gujarat and the Jats of Uttar Pradesh actively participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement. They were dissapointed with the trade depression and falling prices.Due to lack of cash income, they were unable to pay taxes to the government.The government refused to reduce revenue demand which created widespread resentment and they supported the movement .

b. Poor peasants were small tenants who mainly cultivated on land rented from landlords.Due to lack of income for trade depression, they could not pay rent.For getting remission from high rents, they participated in the movement. But Congress did not address their demands because they felt it might upset the rich landlords and peasants who funded the Congress.

c. The business class and merchants became powerful and earned huge profits during the First World War period. They were interested in expanding business in India and want protection against imports of foreign goods.This forced them to join the movement.To make their demands stronger and effective, they formed Indian Industrial and Commercial Congress and the Federation of the Indian Chamber of commerce and Industries (FICCI). They provided financial assistance to the Congress.

d. Women participated in large numbers. They picketed foreign clothes and liquor shops. But women were not given in position of authority. Their symbolic presence made the movement more conspicuous.