The Dandi Salt March, also known as the Salt Satyagraha, was a significant event in India's struggle for independence from British rule. It was led by Mahatma Gandhi, who initiated the march on March 12, 1930. The march covered a distance of around 240 miles (385 kilometers) from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad to the coastal village of Dandi in Gujarat.
The primary objective of the march was to protest against the British salt monopoly, which imposed heavy taxes on salt production and prohibited Indians from producing or selling salt independently. Gandhi believed that salt was a symbol of British oppression, and by breaking the salt laws, he aimed to challenge British authority and inspire civil disobedience across India.
During the 24-day journey, thousands of Indians joined Gandhi in his peaceful protest against the salt laws. The march garnered significant attention both nationally and internationally, highlighting the injustices of British colonial rule. On April 6, 1930, Gandhi and his followers reached the shores of Dandi, where he symbolically violated the salt laws by picking up a lump of salt from the beach.
The Dandi Salt March sparked widespread civil disobedience movements throughout India, leading to numerous protests, boycotts, and acts of nonviolent resistance against British rule. It marked a turning point in India's struggle for independence and played a crucial role in mobilizing millions of Indians in the fight against colonial oppression.
The Salt March demonstrated the power of nonviolent resistance as a potent tool for social and political change, influencing movements for civil rights and freedom around the world. It remains one of the most iconic and inspiring episodes in the history of India's independence movement.