What is the Dandi March?

The Dandi March (also known as the Salt March or Salt Satyagraha) was a 24-day act of nonviolent civil disobedience led by Mahatma Gandhi, lasting from 12 March to 6 April 1930. Gandhi and 78 trusted volunteers marched 387 kilometres (240 miles) from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad to the coastal village of Dandi in Gujarat, to protest against the British salt tax and salt monopoly.

On 6 April 1930 at 8:30 AM, Gandhi picked up a handful of salt from the seashore, symbolically breaking the British salt laws and launching the Civil Disobedience Movement. The march inspired millions of Indians to similarly defy the salt laws across the country. Over 60,000 Indians were jailed during the subsequent satyagraha. The Salt March gained worldwide attention, drew international sympathy to the Indian cause, and later influenced global civil rights movements, including Martin Luther King Jr.'s campaigns in the United States.

Key Features / Provisions

# Feature Details
1 Duration 12 March – 6 April 1930 (24 days)
2 Distance 387 km (240 miles) from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi
3 Leader Mahatma Gandhi with 78 initial marchers
4 Target British salt tax and government monopoly on salt production
5 Salt law broken Gandhi picked up salt at Dandi on 6 April 1930, 8:30 AM
6 Mass defiance Millions of Indians broke salt laws across the country
7 Dharasana Raid 21 May 1930 — Sarojini Naidu led 2,500 marchers; brutally beaten by police
8 Arrests Over 60,000 Indians jailed during the Salt Satyagraha
9 International impact Drew worldwide attention; influenced civil rights movements globally
10 Outcome Launched the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–1934)

Historical Background

  • December 1929 — Lahore Congress — Purna Swaraj declared; 26 January 1930 fixed as Independence Day
  • January 1930 — Gandhi's 11-point ultimatum to Viceroy Lord Irwin (land revenue, salt tax, military spending, etc.)
  • February 1930 — Irwin rejected Gandhi's demands
  • 2 March 1930 — Gandhi wrote to Irwin informing him of the salt march plan
  • 12 March 1930 — March began from Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad; 78 volunteers
  • 12 March – 5 April — Marched through villages in Gujarat; growing crowds joined
  • 6 April 1930 — Gandhi picked up salt at Dandi beach at 8:30 AM; broke salt law
  • April–May 1930 — Salt law broken across India; millions participated
  • 5 May 1930 — Gandhi arrested at Dandi
  • 21 May 1930 — Sarojini Naidu led Dharasana Salt Works raid — 2,500 peaceful marchers beaten by police
  • 1930 — Over 60,000 Indians arrested
  • March 1931 — Gandhi-Irwin Pact — movement suspended

UPSC Exam Corner

Prelims: Key Facts

  • Dates: 12 March – 6 April 1930 (24 days)
  • Route: Sabarmati Ashram (Ahmedabad) to Dandi (Gujarat) — 387 km
  • Marchers: Gandhi + 78 volunteers initially
  • Salt law broken: 6 April 1930
  • Dharasana Salt Works: Sarojini Naidu led raid, 21 May 1930
  • 60,000+ arrested during the Salt Satyagraha
  • Inspired: Martin Luther King Jr. and James Bevel during US Civil Rights Movement

Mains: Probable Themes

  1. "The Dandi March was a masterstroke of Gandhian political strategy." — Analyse how salt symbolised universal oppression
  2. "Examine how the Dandi March internationalised the Indian independence movement." — Global media, sympathy, and influence on civil rights movements
  3. "The Salt Satyagraha demonstrated the power of non-violent resistance." — Evaluate its effectiveness as a political tool

Sources: Wikipedia — Salt March | Britannica — Salt March | HISTORY | Indian Culture Portal