On this day, 95 years ago, on 12th March 1930, history was made in Ahmedabad when Mahatma Gandhi embarked on the legendary Dandi Yatra, also known as the Salt March. This non-violent protest against British salt laws was the first act in a larger campaign of civil disobedience (Satyagraha) that extended into early 1931, gaining widespread support in India and drawing global attention.
Gandhi’s 385 km walk that defied British laws and ignited India’s independence struggle
The Salt March began on 12th March 1930 as a direct protest against the British salt monopoly, which imposed heavy taxes and restricted Indians from producing or selling salt independently. This policy disproportionately affected the poorest communities, forcing them to buy expensive, heavily taxed salt. Gandhi chose salt as the symbol of resistance, turning an everyday necessity into a powerful tool of non-violent defiance.
Starting from Sabarmati Ashram, Gandhi and 78 followers embarked on a 385 km journey to Dandi, Gujarat. Walking around 16 kilometres daily, they stopped in villages along the way, addressing growing crowds and inspiring more Indians to join the movement. By the time they reached Dandi on 6th April 1930, thousands had joined. Gandhi symbolically broke the salt law by picking up a handful of salt from the shore, sparking mass civil disobedience across the country.
In response, the British cracked down severely, arresting over 60,000 people, including Jawaharlal Nehru in April and Gandhi in May. The protests continued, notably at Dharasana Salt Works on 21st May 1930, where demonstrators led by Sarojini Naidu faced police violence. Despite the repression, the Salt March significantly weakened British control and strengthened India’s fight for independence.
Dandi Yatra’s legacy today
The Dandi Yatra route remains a symbol of India’s fight for freedom. Sabarmati Ashram and the National Salt Satyagraha Memorial in Dandi commemorate this extraordinary act of resistance. Even today, people retrace parts of this journey to honour the spirit of self-reliance and courage that Gandhi and his followers embodied.
The Dandi Yatra was more than just a march; it was a revolution that started in Ahmedabad and changed the course of history!
In the footsteps of Gandhi: Ahmedabad’s Dandi Bridge, the starting point of the Dandi March
