Published on: March 12, 2024
DANDI MARCH
DANDI MARCH
Gandhi’s Dandi March, also known as the Salt March, was a significant event during the Indian independence movement led by Mahatma Gandhi. Here are key details about the Dandi March:
Background:
- The Dandi March took place in 1930, as part of the civil disobedience movement against the British colonial salt monopoly and taxes.
- The British imposed a tax on salt, a basic necessity, and prohibited Indians from producing or selling salt independently.
Key Features of the Dandi March:
- Start Date: The Dandi March began on March 12, 1930, from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
- Participants: Mahatma Gandhi, along with a group of 78 male and 8 female volunteers, walked for about 240 miles to the coastal village of Dandi.
- Objective: The main goal was to protest against the oppressive salt tax and laws, but the march also aimed to inspire Indians to join the nonviolent civil disobedience movement.
- Route: The march covered various villages and towns, and thousands of people joined Gandhi along the way. It was a symbolic act of defiance against British salt laws.
- Conclusion: The Dandi March concluded on April 6, 1930, when Gandhi and his followers reached Dandi. Gandhi defied the salt laws by picking up a handful of salt from the seashore, marking the beginning of the broader civil disobedience movement.
Impact:
- The Dandi March garnered widespread attention, both nationally and internationally, drawing support for the Indian independence movement.
- It marked a turning point in the struggle against British colonial rule and inspired millions of Indians to join the fight for independence.
Legacy:
- The Dandi March is remembered as a powerful symbol of nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience.
- It contributed to the momentum of the independence movement, eventually leading to India’s freedom in 1947.