Salt Satyagraha 1930: History, Course, Impact, & More| UPSC Notes PDF

The Salt Satyagraha was alternatively recognized as the Dandi March and the Dandi Satyagraha. It was a peaceful civil disobedience movement conducted by Mahatma Gandhi under British Rule in India. The movement continued for 24 days, and it was a straightforward reaction movement of tax resistance and peaceful protest against the British salt monopoly that ran from March 12 to April 6, 1930. 

Salt Satyagraha UPSC is one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS Examination. It particularly falls under the Indian National Movement topic of the Indian History syllabus.

In this article on the Salt Satyagraha UPSC, we shall discuss its background, features, effects, and criticism. This will be very useful for aspirants in the UPSC Prelims Exam. 

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Also, study the NCERT Notes on the Simon Commission from the linked article.

About Salt Satyagraha

The Salt March occurred from March to April 1930 in India. It was a demonstration of civil disobedience orchestrated by Mohandas Gandhi to oppose British rule. Thousands of Indians joined Gandhi in a nonviolent march from his spiritual retreat near Ahmedabad to the Arabian Sea coast, covering about 240 miles. This peaceful protest, along with similar marches, led to the arrest of nearly 60,000 people, including Gandhi. Eventually, India achieved independence from Great Britain in 1947.

Background of Salt Satyagraha

Gandhiji concentrated on his social reform activities for many months following the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22). In 1928, though, he began to consider returning to politics.

• An all-India movement was launched at that time to oppose the all-White Simon Commission, dispatched from England to explore constitutional amendments and give suggestions to the administration.
• Gandhiji chose not to participate in this struggle, but he did give his endorsement, as he did with a farmer’s satyagraha in Bardoli in 1928 (Bardoli Satyagraha).
• The Congress met in Lahore at the end of December 1929 for its annual session.
• The appointment of Jawaharlal Nehru as President signaled the handover of power to the next generation and the declaration of adherence to “Purna Swaraj,” or complete freedom.
• “Independence Day” was marked on January 26, 1930, including the national flag being displayed in various locations and nationalist tunes being performed.
• Gandhiji gave specific directions on how the occasion would be commemorated.
• The Congress Working Committee (CWC) was permitted by the Lahore Congress in 1929 to undertake a campaign of civil disobedience, notably non-payment of taxes.
• The CWC meeting at Sabarmati Ashram in February 1930 gave Gandhiji the authority to initiate the Civil Disobedience Campaign at any moment and location he wanted.
• Gandhiji’s deadline to the Viceroy of India, Lord Irwin (1926-31), in which he stated that the minimal demands had been neglected and that the only alternative option forward was civil disobedience.

Study the NCERT Notes on the Rise of Gandhiji in the Indian Freedom Struggle here.

Features of Salt Satyagraha

The Salt Satyagraha, also known as the Salt March or the Dandi March, was a pivotal act of nonviolent protest against British salt monopoly and tax. It featured several distinct elements that set it apart from previous movements.

• The primary feature of the Salt Satyagraha was its symbolic act of defiance against the British monopoly on salt. By producing salt from seawater at Dandi, Gandhi directly challenged the unjust laws.
• Gandhi's leadership was instrumental in both the conceptualization and execution of the march.
• The march covered about 240 miles from Sabarmati Ashram to the coastal village of Dandi, mobilizing numerous supporters and garnering widespread public attention.
• The protest included participants from various strata of society, including men, women, and children. It inspired similar protests across the country, as people produced and sold salt illegally, thus decentralizing the movement.
• The entire movement was marked by strict adherence to nonviolence (ahimsa), despite numerous provocations by the authorities. This reinforced the moral high ground of the protestors.
• The march received extensive coverage by both Indian and international media, highlighting the plight of Indians under British rule. It attracted international sympathy and support for the Indian cause.
• The demonstration led to the arrest of thousands, including Gandhi and key leaders. This underscored the repressive nature of British rule and galvanized further resistance.
• It strengthened the Indian National Congress's stature as the principal organization leading the freedom struggle.

The Course of Salt Satyagraha

The Salt Satyagraha began with the iconic Dandi March on March 12, 1930, where Gandhi and his followers walked 240 miles from Sabarmati Ashram to the coastal village of Dandi. Upon reaching the coast on April 6, Gandhi symbolically broke the British salt laws by making salt from seawater. 

• On March 2, 1930, Gandhiji apprised Lord Irwin about his plans.
• On March 12, 1930, he decided to take a delegation of individuals from his Ashram in Sabarmati on a trek across Gujarat’s countryside.
• He would breach the Salt Act by making salt from saltwater once he arrived in the coastal settlement of Dandi.
• Alongside 80 of his supporters, Gandhiji began the march as scheduled.
• They were given explicit orders not to use violence in any manner.
• Tons of people flocked to the Sabarmati Ashram to Ahmedabad route to experience the momentous occurrence.
• Gandhiji decided to address multitudes of people at the closing of each day and criticize the administration in his address.
• On the journey, Gandhiji spoke with international reporters and published columns for newspapers.
• The Indian freedom campaign was thrust into the spotlight as a result of this. In the West, Gandhiji had become a common figure.
• Sarojini Naidu accompanied him on his journey.
• Day after day, additional persons joined him until they arrived at Dandi on April 5, 1930.
• The march was attended by around 50,000 individuals at that moment.
• Gandhiji defied the salt ban by producing salt on the dawn of April 6, 1930. A large number of individuals accompanied their footsteps.

Study the NCERT Notes on the Government of India Act of 1919 here.

Impact of Salt Satyagraha 

The Salt Satyagraha, led by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930, had a profound impact on the Indian independence movement. It galvanized mass participation across various sections of Indian society. It demonstrated the power of nonviolent protest against colonial rule. Here are some key impacts of the Salt Satyagraha:

• The Salt Satyagraha was a powerful symbol of nonviolent resistance. It inspired millions of Indians to join the movement and take part in acts of civil disobedience against the British government.
• The Salt Satyagraha played a crucial role in fostering a sense of unity among Indians of different backgrounds. It became a unifying force in the fight against British imperialism. It served as a catalyst for the growth of Indian nationalism.
• The Salt Satyagraha gained significant international attention and sympathy for the Indian independence movement. It brought the injustices of British colonial rule to the global stage.
• The Salt Satyagraha targeted the British monopoly on salt production and distribution. Indians boycotted British salt and started producing their own salt through traditional methods.
• The Salt Satyagraha was led by Mahatma Gandhi and supported by the Indian National Congress. The movement strengthened the Congress Party's position as the leading political organization in the struggle for independence.
• The Salt Satyagraha showcased the power of nonviolent resistance as a means to challenge oppressive regimes. It demonstrated the effectiveness of peaceful methods in achieving political goals. It inspired future leaders and movements around the world.
• The British government responded to the Salt Satyagraha with repression and violence. It arrested thousands of protesters, including Mahatma Gandhi. This heavy-handed response further exposed the oppressive nature of British rule.
• The Salt Satyagraha forced the British government to acknowledge the strength and determination of the Indian independence movement. It eventually led to negotiations between Indian leaders and the British. This culminated in India's independence in 1947.
• The Salt Satyagraha left a lasting legacy of nonviolent resistance in India and the world. It inspired future movements and leaders who adopted nonviolent methods in their struggles for freedom.

Study the NCERT Notes on the Ryotwari and Mahalwari System here.

Aftermath of the Salt Satyagraha

The Salt March was a pivotal moment in the Indian independence movement and had many significant aftermaths.

• The Salt March helped to galvanize support for Indian independence. The march was widely publicized in the media, both in India and internationally.
• The Salt March was a major blow to British prestige in India. The British government had been forced to make concessions to Gandhi. This showed that the British were not invincible. 
• The Salt March was an inspiration for other civil disobedience movements around the world. Gandhi's methods of nonviolent resistance were adopted by other activists, such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela.
• The Salt March led to negotiations between Gandhi and the British government. These negotiations resulted in the Gandhi-Irwin Pact, which was signed in March 1931. The pact called for the release of political prisoners, the suspension of the salt tax, and the investigation of police brutality. 

Study Champaran Satyagraha here.

Importance of Salt Satyagraha

• The movement had a larger following than the preceding versions of the campaigns.
• Women, peasants, laborers, students, and urban elements such as merchants and shopkeepers all participated in large numbers, giving Congress an unprecedented all-India significance.
• The campaign was perhaps the greatest empowering event for Indian women to date, and it can genuinely be claimed that it inaugurated their debut into the public spotlight.
• Despite the fact that Congress repealed the Civil Disobedience Campaign in 1934, the campaign garnered worldwide awareness and constituted a major turning point in the anti-imperialist movement in the times to come.
• Imports from the United Kingdom had plummeted. Imports of textiles from the United Kingdom, for example, had dropped by half.
• The campaign had a great amount of support from the impoverished and illiterate populations in both the city and the rural.
• The movement constituted a significant turning point in the campaign for freedom.

Drawbacks of Salt Satyagraha

The Salt Satyagraha of 1930 was a significant and symbolic act of civil disobedience led by Mahatma Gandhi. However, it had its drawbacks which limited its immediate impact and long-term effectiveness.

• The Salt March itself did not bring substantial economic disruption to British rule. The production and sale of salt were not as economically impactful as other trades, limiting the immediate economic pressure on the colonial government.
• Despite the non-violent approach, the movement was met with severe repression by British authorities. Many of the participants, including Gandhi, were arrested, which temporarily diminished the movement's momentum.
• Although the Salt March drew significant urban participation and media attention, rural India, which constituted the majority of the population, saw relatively limited direct engagement. The agrarian population's pressing issues over land and food were not directly addressed by this symbolic act.
• The immediate results of the Salt Satyagraha were not as substantial as its symbolic achievements. The British government did not make any significant policy changes regarding salt tax or other repressive laws immediately following the campaign.
• While the campaign garnered international attention and sympathy for India's independence struggle, it did not immediately translate into international political pressure on the British government.

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Why did Gandhiji launch the Civil Disobedience Campaign with Salt Satyagraha?

• Salt was a need in every Indian family, but residents were barred from manufacturing it simply for domestic consumption as well, forcing them to purchase it at a premium rate from retailers.
• The official monopoly on salt was immensely controversial, and Gandhiji felt that by declaring it his objective, he could elicit a greater outcry against all British authorities.
• Salt was selected as a marker for the beginning of the civil disobedience campaign since salt was regarded as a basic right that each Indian possessed.
• The Dandi March began when Mahatma Gandhi proclaimed opposition to British salt restrictions to be the connecting subject of the civil disobedience campaign.

Learn more about the Civil Disobedience Movement!

Key Takeaways for UPSC Aspirants Mahatma Gandhi's Leadership: The Salt Satyagraha was led by Mahatma Gandhi, demonstrating his strategic vision in using nonviolent civil disobedience to challenge British rule. Symbolic Act Against Salt Tax: The movement directly targeted the British monopoly on salt, a basic necessity, highlighting the exploitative nature of colonial policies. Dandi March: Gandhi and his followers marched 240 miles from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi, drawing widespread attention and mobilizing mass participation. Mass Participation and Inclusivity: The protest included people from various demographics, including men, women, and children, ensuring broad-based support across society. Nonviolent Resistance: Adherence to nonviolence (ahimsa) was a cornerstone of the movement, reinforcing the moral superiority of the protestors and gaining global sympathy. Catalyst for Wider Civil Disobedience: The Salt Satyagraha ignited similar protests across India, inspiring millions to produce and sell salt illegally, thus decentralizing resistance. International Media and Attention: Extensive media coverage highlighted the movement worldwide, bringing international focus and sympathy to the Indian independence cause. Political Repercussions: The British response included mass arrests and repression but also highlighted the resilience and determination of the Indian people, strengthening the Indian National Congress's position in the freedom struggle.

We hope that all your doubts regarding the Salt Satyagraha will be cleared after going through this article. You can download the Testbook App now to check out various other topics relevant to the UPSC IAS Exam.