The Salt March: Mahatma Gandhi’s 240-Mile Protest

On April 6, 1930, Mahatma Gandhi completed the iconic Salt March, a pivotal event in the Indian struggle for independence from British rule. This nonviolent protest was a direct action campaign against the British salt monopoly, which symbolized the broader injustices of colonial rule.

Background

The British Salt Act of 1882 prohibited Indians from collecting or selling salt independently, forcing them to buy the essential mineral from the British, who imposed a heavy tax. This law disproportionately affected the poorest Indians, making salt a powerful symbol of colonial oppression.

The March

• Start Date: March 12, 1930
• Starting Point: Sabarmati Ashram, near Ahmedabad, Gujarat
• Destination: Coastal village of Dandi, Gujarat
• Distance: Approximately 240 miles (386 kilometers)
• Duration: 24 days

Gandhi, then 61 years old, embarked on this journey with 78 of his followers, known as satyagrahis. As they marched, thousands of Indians joined them, turning the event into a mass protest.

Key Events

• Daily Routine: Each day, the marchers covered about 10 miles, stopping in villages along the way to hold meetings and spread Gandhi’s message of nonviolent resistance.
• Public Engagement: Gandhi used the march to engage with the rural population, raising awareness about the oppressive salt laws and encouraging civil disobedience.
• Dandi Arrival: On April 5, 1930, Gandhi and his followers reached the coastal village of Dandi. The next morning, Gandhi symbolically broke the salt laws by picking up a lump of natural salt from the seashore.

Aftermath and Significance

• Nationwide Civil Disobedience: The Salt March sparked widespread acts of civil disobedience across India. Thousands of Indians began making their own salt and boycotting British goods.
• International Attention: The march drew significant international attention, highlighting the Indian independence movement and Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolent resistance.
• Arrests and Repression: In response, the British authorities arrested over 60,000 people, including Gandhi himself on May 5, 1930. However, the movement continued to gain momentum.

Broader Impact

The Salt March was a turning point in the Indian independence movement. It demonstrated the power of mass nonviolent protest and inspired future civil rights movements worldwide. Gandhi’s leadership during the march solidified his position as a central figure in the struggle against colonial rule and underscored the effectiveness of nonviolent resistance as a tool for social and political change.