Written by Background:
British rule in India imposed harsh economic restrictions, including a monopoly on salt production and taxation through the Salt Act of 1882. This law prohibited Indians from collecting or selling salt, forcing them to buy heavily taxed British salt. Mahatma Gandhi sought to challenge this injustice using nonviolent resistance.
What Happened:
On March 12, 1930, Gandhi embarked on a 240-mile march from Sabarmati Ashram to the Arabian Sea, gathering thousands of supporters along the way. Over 24 days, he and his followers walked through villages and towns, spreading the message of resistance. The movement gained significant attention, and by the time they reached Dandi on April 6, Gandhi and thousands of Indians gathered by the shore. In an act of civil disobedience, Gandhi picked up a handful of salt from the seashore, defying British law.
This simple act triggered widespread protests across India. Thousands of Indians followed suit, making and selling illegal salt. The British responded with mass arrests, imprisoning over 60,000 protesters, including Gandhi himself. Despite the suppression, the movement had already ignited a national awakening.
Impact for the Future:
The Salt March became a pivotal moment in the Indian independence movement, drawing international attention to British colonial oppression. It strengthened Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolent resistance, which later influenced leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela in their struggles for civil rights. The march also led to negotiations between Gandhi and the British, ultimately paving the way for India’s independence in 1947.