Which of the following statements about the Non Cooperation Movement in early twentieth century India is or are correct when we consider regional and social participation as well as its abrupt end?

Introduction / Context:
This question examines the Non Cooperation Movement launched under Mahatma Gandhi in the early 1920s. Instead of simple factual recall, it tests understanding of the social composition of the movement, regional variation in participation and the impact of the Chauri Chaura incident on its continuation. Such statement based questions help learners think critically about how movements unfolded on the ground rather than treating them as uniform events.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Statement 1: The movement had significant peasant participation from Karnataka.
• Statement 2: There was notable non Brahmin lower caste participation in Madras and Maharashtra.
• Statement 3: There was a lack of labour unrest in places like Assam, Bengal and Madras.
• Statement 4: After the Chauri Chaura incident of 1922, Gandhi decided to continue the movement on a much smaller scale.
• We must identify which statements are correct.

Concept / Approach:
The Non Cooperation Movement saw strong peasant participation in regions like Awadh in present Uttar Pradesh, not especially Karnataka, so statement 1 is incorrect. There was indeed significant non Brahmin and lower caste participation in Madras and Maharashtra, particularly linked with local caste based and regional politics, so statement 2 is correct. Labour unrest did occur in several provinces, including strikes, so saying there was a lack of labour unrest in Assam, Bengal and Madras (statement 3) is misleading and incorrect. Gandhi actually called off the movement entirely after the Chauri Chaura incident rather than continuing it on a smaller scale, so statement 4 is also wrong. Hence only statement 2 is correct.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Evaluate statement 1 and recall that the most famous peasant mobilisation was in Awadh, not Karnataka, so statement 1 is not correct. Step 2: Examine statement 2 and remember that non Brahmin and lower caste groups in Madras and Maharashtra did participate in the Non Cooperation Movement, so statement 2 is correct. Step 3: Consider statement 3 and note that labour unrest did occur in several regions; saying there was a lack of unrest in Assam, Bengal and Madras is inaccurate. Step 4: For statement 4, recall that Gandhi suspended, rather than scaled down, the entire movement after the violent Chauri Chaura incident in 1922. Step 5: Conclude that only statement 2 is correct and select the option that mentions 2 only.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can cross check by thinking of major regional centres of Non Cooperation. Awadh, parts of Punjab and Bengal saw strong peasant and labour involvement. Historians also highlight how non Brahmin movements in Madras Presidency and lower caste groups in Maharashtra aligned with wider anti colonial protests, supporting statement 2. Every reliable account notes that Gandhi immediately called off the movement after Chauri Chaura, blaming the resort to violence, which contradicts statement 4. This multi angle verification confirms that only statement 2 stands as correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
1 only: This would mean only statement 1 is correct, which is false because the focus region in peasant narratives is Awadh, not Karnataka.
1, 2 and 4: This option wrongly includes two incorrect statements, 1 and 4, and so cannot be correct.
2 and 3: This would require statement 3 to be correct, but there was notable labour unrest, so the statement about lack of unrest is misleading.

Common Pitfalls:
A frequent mistake is to assume that all provinces had the same pattern of participation, which leads to careless acceptance of statements mentioning unfamiliar regions like Karnataka. Another pitfall is to vaguely remember that Gandhi modified his strategy after Chauri Chaura and to wrongly believe he continued the movement in a reduced form, whereas in reality he suspended it completely. Always link each statement to well known regional examples and key turning points to avoid such errors.

Final Answer:
Only statement 2 is correct, so the right option is 2 only.