Dandi March Anniversary (March 12): Background, Causes, Impact

Dandi March Anniversary (March 12): Background, Causes, Events and Effects

The Dandi March, led by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930, was a historic nonviolent protest against the British salt tax, sparking India's civil disobedience movement. Check here all about Dandi March by Mahatma Gandhi, Causes, Significance, Effects for UPSC exam preparation.

Table of Contents

The Dandi March (also known as the Salt March or Salt Satyagraha) was a pivotal event in the Indian freedom struggle led by Mahatma Gandhi. It symbolized the strength of non-violent resistance against British colonial rule. The march began on March 12, 1930, and ended on April 6, 1930, covering a distance of 241 miles (387 km) from Sabarmati Ashram to the coastal village of Dandi in Gujarat. The primary aim was to break the oppressive British salt laws, which heavily taxed the production and sale of salt in India.

As India prepares to mark the 95th anniversary of the Dandi March in 2025, it is essential to reflect on the significance of this historic event and how it shaped the course of India’s independence movement. This article explores the background, causes, key events, and impact of the Dandi March in detail.

Dandi March Anniversary 2025 Celebrations

Date	Event	Location
March 12, 2025	Re-enactment of the Dandi March	Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi
April 6, 2025	Commemorative Ceremony	Dandi, Gujarat
Throughout March 2025	Public speeches, exhibitions, and cultural events	Across India

Background of the Dandi March

Colonial Oppression

After the British took control of India, they imposed heavy taxes on essential commodities, including salt.
Salt, a basic necessity, was monopolized by the British, preventing Indians from producing or selling it without paying a tax.

Simon Commission (1928)

The Simon Commission was set up by the British government to review the political situation in India.
It faced strong opposition from Indian leaders because it did not include any Indian members.

Lahore Session of Congress (1929)

At the Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress in December 1929, the demand for Purna Swaraj (complete independence) was passed.
January 26, 1930, was declared as Independence Day by the Congress.

Causes of the Dandi March

The Dandi March was not just a protest against the salt tax; it was a strategic act of civil disobedience aimed at challenging British rule directly. The key causes include:

Cause	Description
Monopoly on Salt	The British government controlled the production and sale of salt, imposing high taxes on it.
Economic Hardship	The salt tax affected poor Indians the most, as salt was essential for survival.
Call for Civil Disobedience	Gandhi announced the launch of a mass civil disobedience movement to challenge unjust British laws.
Injustice of British Rule	The oppressive colonial policies and racial discrimination fueled the demand for independence.
Failure of the Round Table Conference	The British government’s refusal to discuss constitutional reforms increased resentment.

Events of the Dandi March

1. Planning of the March

On March 2, 1930, Gandhi wrote a letter to Lord Irwin (Viceroy of India) informing him about the plan for civil disobedience and demanding the repeal of the salt tax.
When the British government ignored the letter, Gandhi decided to march to the coastal village of Dandi to produce salt from the sea.

2. The March Begins

Date	Event	Distance Covered
March 12, 1930	Gandhi started the march from Sabarmati Ashram with 78 followers.	0 miles
March 19, 1930	Thousands joined the march, chanting slogans and singing patriotic songs.	70 miles
March 30, 1930	The march gained national and international attention.	200 miles
April 5, 1930	The march reached Dandi.	241 miles
April 6, 1930	Gandhi broke the salt law by picking up a handful of salt from the shore.	Completion of the march

3. Mass Civil Disobedience

After the march, Gandhi urged people across India to produce and sell salt illegally.
Thousands of Indians participated in the movement, defying British salt laws.
The British government responded with mass arrests, including the arrest of Gandhi on May 5, 1930.

4. Women’s Participation

Women played a crucial role in the Salt Satyagraha.
Sarojini Naidu led the protest at the Dharasana Salt Works in May 1930 after Gandhi’s arrest.
Women from different backgrounds actively took part in the protests, making salt and selling it in defiance of British laws.

Impact and Effects of the Dandi March

1. National Awakening

The Dandi March ignited a sense of national unity and mass participation.
It became a symbol of resistance against colonial oppression.

2. International Attention

The march gained widespread international media coverage.
British authorities faced criticism from global leaders and activists.

3. Political and Social Mobilization

Inspired other civil disobedience movements across India.
Farmers, laborers, and students actively participated in boycotts of British goods.

4. Strengthening of the Indian National Congress

The success of the Dandi March strengthened the credibility of the Congress party.
It laid the groundwork for future movements, including the Quit India Movement (1942).

5. Repressive Response by the British

Over 60,000 Indians were arrested during the Salt Satyagraha.
The British used brutal force to suppress protests but failed to weaken the spirit of the movement.

Legacy of the Dandi March

The Dandi March remains a powerful symbol of non-violent resistance and civil disobedience.
In post-independence India, the march is commemorated every year as a reminder of the sacrifices made by freedom fighters.
On its 95th anniversary in 2025, India will pay tribute to Gandhi’s leadership and the courage of the people who participated in the march.

Key Facts about the Dandi March

Fact	Details
Leader	Mahatma Gandhi
Start Date	March 12, 1930
End Date	April 6, 1930
Distance Covered	241 miles (387 km)
Number of Participants	Started with 78; thousands joined en route
Objective	Protest against British salt tax
Outcome	Inspired mass civil disobedience and weakened British authority

Conclusion

The Dandi March was a turning point in India’s freedom struggle. It demonstrated the power of non-violence and civil disobedience in challenging colonial rule. As India marks the 95th anniversary of this historic event in 2025, the Dandi March remains a beacon of inspiration for freedom, equality, and justice worldwide.

FAQs

Where did the Dandi March start and end?

Beginning on March 12, the salt satyagraha would last until April 6, when Gandhi will breach the Salt Act in Dandi. On March 12, 1930, Gandhi and 80 satyagrahis left Sabarmati Ashram for the seaside Gujarati village of Dandi, a distance of more than 390 kilometres (240 miles).

Why Dandi March was happened?

Mahatma Gandhi started the Salt Satyagraha, a large-scale civil disobedience movement, in response to the salt levy the British government had placed on India. On March 12, 1930, he led a sizable group of people from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi, a seaside town in Gujarat, where they produced salt from seawater in violation of the law.

When and who started Dandi March?

Gandhiji announced in 1930 that he would lead a march to violate the salt ban. This statute gave the government a monopoly over salt production and distribution. Since salt is such a crucial component of our food, according to Mahatma Gandhi and other nationalists, taxing it is wrong.

Which place started Dandi March?

Mahatma Gandhi launched the Dandi March on March 12, 1930. From his Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad to Dandi, a seaside town in Gujarat, it was a nearly 385 kilometre march.

Who started Dandi March in India?

Mahatma Gandhi led a 24-day nonviolent march known as the Salt March or Dandi March. New Delhi On March 12, 1930, Mahatma Gandhi began a historic salt march from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, to the town of Dandi, which is on the state's coast, in protest of the high salt tax the British imposed.