8.3 - The March to Dandi

The Salt March, also known as the Dandi March, was a significant event in India's struggle for independence from British colonial rule. It was led by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930 and marked a turning point in the Indian independence movement. This event was part of the larger Civil Disobedience Movement, aimed at breaking the oppressive laws imposed by the British government, especially the salt tax.

The British colonial government had imposed a monopoly on salt production and distribution. Indians were forced to buy salt only from the British government, which resulted in high taxes on salt and made it unaffordable for many poor people. Gandhi saw the salt tax as an unjust and symbolic form of British oppression, and he decided to take direct action to defy it.

Gandhi's plan was to lead a march from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad to the coastal village of Dandi, located in Gujarat, where he would produce salt from the sea as an act of defiance against the salt law. The march would cover a distance of about 240 miles (386 kilometers), and it was a non-violent protest, which became the hallmark of Gandhi's leadership style.

The march began on March 12, 1930, with a group of 78 volunteers who set off from the Sabarmati Ashram. Along the way, Gandhi and his followers were greeted by thousands of people, and their numbers continued to grow as they reached different villages. The march symbolized unity among Indians, as people from various walks of life—peasants, workers, and intellectuals—joined the movement in large numbers.

On April 6, 1930, after 24 days of walking, Gandhi and his followers reached Dandi. There, Gandhi picked up a handful of salt from the seashore, breaking the British law. This symbolic act of producing salt was a direct challenge to the British authority, and it sent a strong message to the British government and the rest of the world about the determination of the Indian people to gain independence.

The impact of the Salt March was widespread. It galvanized the Indian masses, inspiring millions to participate in the Civil Disobedience Movement. People all over the country began producing salt illegally, and large-scale protests erupted against the salt tax. The British authorities responded with arrests and violence, but the movement continued to grow in strength.

One of the key features of the Salt March was its non-violent nature, which was central to Gandhi’s philosophy of Satyagraha. Despite the oppressive actions of the British, Gandhi encouraged his followers to remain peaceful, even in the face of provocation. This commitment to non-violence won international attention and support for the Indian cause.

The Salt March and its aftermath led to significant developments in the Indian independence movement. It not only brought attention to the issue of British salt taxes but also united people across the country in the struggle for independence. The movement eventually resulted in the British government making some concessions, although full independence for India would not come until 1947.