The Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha) was a non-violent civil disobedience movement. It was led by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930. The protest targeted the British salt monopoly. It was a crucial event in India’s struggle for independence and a key part of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
1. Background & Causes
✔ British Salt Monopoly – The British imposed heavy taxes on salt and prohibited Indians from making their own.
✔ Gandhi’s Protest Strategy – Gandhi chose salt as a symbol of protest as it was an essential commodity for all.
✔ Failure of Simon Commission (1927) – The commission did not include any Indians, causing resentment.
✔ Declaration of Purna Swaraj (1929) – At the Lahore Session of the Congress, it was declared that Indians would no longer accept British rule.
✔ Launch of Civil Disobedience Movement – Gandhi planned the Salt Satyagraha as the first step.
2. Timeline & Route of the Dandi March
✔ Started: March 12, 1930 from Sabarmati Ashram (Ahmedabad, Gujarat).
✔ Led by: Mahatma Gandhi, with 78 followers.
✔ Route: Covered 240 miles (384 km), passing through villages to spread awareness.
✔ Ended: April 6, 1930, at Dandi (a coastal village in Gujarat).
✔ Action: Gandhi broke the salt law by picking up natural salt from the seashore.
3. Key Features of the Dandi March
✔ Symbol of Mass Civil Disobedience → Inspired people across India to defy British laws.
✔ Mass Participation → Thousands of people, including women, joined the movement.
✔ Expansion → Protests spread to Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and the North-West Frontier Province (led by Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan).
✔ British Repression → Thousands were arrested, including Gandhi (May 5, 1930).
✔ Women’s Role → Sarojini Naidu led the movement in some regions.
4. Consequences of the Dandi March
✔ Civil Disobedience Movement Strengthened – People refused to pay taxes and boycotted British goods.
✔ First Round Table Conference (1930) – The British held discussions but did not include Congress.
✔ Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931) – Gandhi agreed to end the movement in return for the release of political prisoners.
✔ Salt Law Reform – Though the British did not abolish the salt law immediately, the movement weakened their control.
5. Importance of the Dandi March
✔ Global Impact – Attracted international media attention and increased support for India’s freedom struggle.
✔ Promoted Non-Violence – Strengthened Gandhi’s philosophy of Satyagraha (truth and non-violence).
✔ United Different Sections of Society – Brought together peasants, workers, and women in the freedom struggle.
✔ Paved the Way for Quit India Movement (1942) – Showed that mass resistance could challenge British rule.
6. Key Facts for Competitive Exams
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Date Started | March 12, 1930 |
| Date Ended | April 6, 1930 |
| Leader | Mahatma Gandhi |
| Location | From Sabarmati Ashram (Ahmedabad) to Dandi (Gujarat) |
| Total Distance | 240 miles (384 km) |
| Purpose | Protest against British salt monopoly |
| Major Agreement | Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931) |
| Movement Linked to | Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-34) |
7. MCQs on Dandi March
1. Who led the Dandi March?
(a) Jawaharlal Nehru
(b) Subhas Chandra Bose
(c) Mahatma Gandhi
(d) Sardar Patel
✔ Answer: (c) Mahatma Gandhi
2. When did the Dandi March start?
(a) January 26, 1930
(b) March 12, 1930
(c) April 6, 1930
(d) August 8, 1942
✔ Answer: (b) March 12, 1930
3. Where did the Dandi March end?
(a) Mumbai
(b) Chennai
(c) Dandi
(d) Delhi
✔ Answer: (c) Dandi
4. What was the main reason for the Dandi March?
(a) Demand for Dominion Status
(b) Protest against Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
(c) Violation of British Salt Law
(d) Demand for Separate Electorates
✔ Answer: (c) Violation of British Salt Law
Conclusion
The Dandi March was a turning point in India’s independence movement. It showed that non-violent resistance could challenge British rule and inspired millions of Indians to fight for their rights.
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