The Civil Disobedience Movement
A major non-violent campaign led by Mahatma Gandhi against British rule.
A Defiance of Unjust Laws
The Civil Disobedience Movement, launched in 1930, was a landmark in the Indian freedom struggle. Led by Mahatma Gandhi, the movement was a protest against the oppressive salt tax imposed by the British. By encouraging Indians to break the salt law non-violently, Gandhi aimed to challenge the legitimacy of British rule and mobilize the masses for the cause of complete independence.
1930
The Year of
the Movement
Dandi March
The Iconic Beginning
of the Protest
A Timeline of the Movement
March 12, 1930: Dandi March
Mahatma Gandhi began his famous march from Sabarmati Ashram to the coastal village of Dandi, a journey of 240 miles, accompanied by 78 followers. The march symbolized the defiance of the British salt law.
April 6, 1930: Breaking the Salt Law
Upon reaching Dandi, Gandhi publicly made salt from seawater, ceremonially breaking the law. This act inspired millions of Indians to defy the law and start similar protests across the country.
Arrests and Repression
The British government responded with mass arrests, imprisoning over 60,000 people. Despite the repression, the movement gained momentum and international attention.
March 1931: Gandhi-Irwin Pact
A truce was declared, leading to the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. The British agreed to release political prisoners, and Gandhi agreed to suspend the movement and attend the Second Round Table Conference.