Mahatma Gandhi Begins the Salt March - March 12, 1930

On March 12, 1930, Mahatma Gandhi embarked on the Salt March, a pivotal event in the Indian struggle for independence from British rule. This 240-mile march was a direct action campaign of tax resistance and nonviolent protest against the British salt monopoly and salt tax in colonial India.

Context and Background

• British Salt Monopoly: The British colonial government imposed a monopoly on salt production and sales, making it illegal for Indians to collect or sell salt independently. This essential commodity was heavily taxed, disproportionately affecting the poorest citizens.
• Civil Disobedience Movement: The Salt March was part of the broader Civil Disobedience Movement, which aimed to resist British rule through nonviolent means. Gandhi’s strategy was to challenge unjust laws and rally mass support for Indian independence.

The March

• Starting Point: The march began from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, with Gandhi and 78 of his followers.
• Route and Duration: Over 24 days, the marchers traveled approximately 240 miles to the coastal village of Dandi.
• Symbolic Act: Upon reaching Dandi on April 6, 1930, Gandhi defied the salt laws by picking up natural salt from the seashore, symbolizing the start of mass civil disobedience.

Impact and Significance

• National and International Attention: The Salt March garnered significant attention both within India and internationally. It highlighted the oppressive nature of British rule and galvanized Indian society across various regions and communities.
• Mass Participation: The march inspired millions of Indians to join the civil disobedience movement, leading to widespread nonviolent protests, boycotts, and strikes against British goods and institutions.
• Arrests and Repression: The British authorities responded with arrests and crackdowns. Gandhi himself was arrested in May 1930, along with thousands of other activists, which only intensified the resolve of the Indian populace.

Aftermath

• Negotiations and the Gandhi-Irwin Pact: The movement eventually led to negotiations between Gandhi and the British Viceroy, Lord Irwin. The Gandhi-Irwin Pact of 1931 resulted in the release of thousands of political prisoners and allowed Indians to make salt for domestic use.
• Legacy: The Salt March is remembered as a defining moment in the Indian independence movement. It demonstrated the power of nonviolent resistance and set the stage for future campaigns that ultimately led to India’s independence in 1947.

The Salt March remains a powerful symbol of resistance against injustice and the effectiveness of nonviolent protest, influencing civil rights movements worldwide.