Final answer:
Bihar and Gujarat were important in Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent movement due to their rural character and the hardships faced by the local populations. Gandhi's message of civil disobedience and self-reliance was well-received, and these states played a key role in the grassroots movement for Indian independence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The states of Bihar and Gujarat proved to be fertile terrain for Mahatma Gandhi's action plan due to a number of reasons. In these states, there was a strong presence of rural communities that could resonate with Gandhi's emphasis on simplicity and asceticism. The local populations faced numerous hardships under British colonial rule, including economic exploitation and social injustices, which made Gandhi's message of non-violent civil disobedience and self-reliance highly appealing.
Gandhi's approach began to take shape effectively in these regions due to the already existing discontent regarding the British economic policies, such as the salt monopoly, which he challenged through the famous Salt March in Gujarat. Furthermore, the Congress Party's efforts to boycott British goods and encourage local production resonated well with the population, fostering a grassroots movement in both Bihar and Gujarat, supporting the idea of not just independence but also social reform and economic self-sufficiency. This helped in mobilizing the masses and played a pivotal role in the Indian struggle for independence.