Gandhi's Salt March From March example essay topic

Mahatma Gandhi's Salt March from March 12th-April 5th (From Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi) Mahatma (Great Soul) Gandhi (1869-1948) He's considered to be the father of his country. He was the leader of the Indian nationalist movement against British rule. He's internationally esteemed for his doctrine of non-violence to achieve political and social progress. The Indian people had disliked British rule since the 10th centenary. There were campaigns of civil disobedience and non-cooperation with the British by some members of the Indian congress party for example Nehru. They took up the cause of home rule in 1917 and were guided in their campaign by Mahatma (Mohandas).

He encouraged the boycotting of British goods and non-payment of taxes, he also encouraged passive, or non-violent, resistance to the British. In early 1930 Gandhi, Nehru and the congress made a call for pur na swaraj, or complete independence from British rule. Gandhi wrote a letter which he addressed to Lord Erwin, the viceroy on March the 2nd. He wrote " Dear Friend, I cannot intentionally hurt anything that lives, much less fellow human beings, even though they may do the greatest wrong to me and mine. Whilst therefore, I hold the British rule to be a curse, I do not intend to harm a single Englishman or any legitimate interest he may have in India... ".

Gandhi went on to note the inequities in the salary paid to Indians and British officials. For example the viceroy received over five thousand times the Indians national income. Gandhi didn't wish to humiliate the viceroy and apologised for taking "A personal illustration to drive home a painful truth". The system of administration carried out in India was the most expensive in the world and it had only served to further impoverish and endear. In an act of "Civil disobedience", he informed Erwin that he intended to break the salt laws. The British exercised a monopoly on the production and sale of salt, this essential ingredient was needed by the poor as much as by the rich.

On receiving Gandhi's letter, the viceroy promptly wrote back to express his regret that Gandhi was once again "Contemplating a course of action which is clearly bound to involve the violation of the law and a danger to the public peace". On the March 12th with 78 of his followers and disciples from Sabarmati Ashram on toe plus 220 km march to Dandi on the sea. All along the way he addressed large crowds and with each passing day an increasing number of people joined Gandhi. This was illegal and eventually over 60,000 people were imprisoned as a result. It is said that the roads were watered, in fresh flowers and green leaves were strewn on the path. On April the 5th Gandhi arrived at Dandi.

Short prayers were offered, Gandhi addressed the crowd, and at 8.30 am he picked up a small lump of natural salt. Gandhi had now broken the law. Thereafter all the others followed suit and within one week the jails were full and subsequently Gandhi himself was taken to jail. This and other events in the non-violent campaign helped to convince the British authorities of the strength of the Indian feeling and so helped to achieve Indian independence in 1947. The End. Written by Thomas Grove.