Mahatma Gandhi - The Salt March: Learn English (US) with subtitles - Story for Children & Adults

Summary

The Salt March, led by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930, was a pivotal act of civil disobedience against British colonial rule in India. Protesting the oppressive salt tax, Gandhi and 78 followers embarked on a 240-mile march from Ahmedabad to Dandi, where he symbolically picked up salt from the shore, challenging British authority. The march ignited widespread resistance, leading to the imprisonment of thousands, including Gandhi. This powerful demonstration of peaceful protest not only marked a key moment in India's independence movement but also showcased the strength of collective action and non-violent resistance in the face of injustice.

Takeaways

• 😀 The British imposed a salt tax in 1835, which made salt unaffordable for many Indians, especially the poor.
• 😀 Salt laws prohibited Indians from producing, selling, or collecting salt, with severe punishments for violations.
• 😀 Gandhi and others believed the salt tax and laws were unjust and decided to protest against them.
• 😀 Gandhi emphasized that salt, after air and water, is a basic necessity for life and crucial for health.
• 😀 The Salt March began on March 12, 1930, from Gandhi's ashram in Ahmedabad, with 78 followers joining him.
• 😀 The march covered a distance of 240 miles, and thousands of people joined to protest British salt laws.
• 😀 Gandhi and his followers walked about 12 miles a day, reaching Dandi in three weeks, symbolizing perseverance.
• 😀 Gandhi referred to the march as a 'battle of right against might,' emphasizing non-violent resistance.
• 😀 At the end of the march, Gandhi picked up salt from the shore, symbolizing a defiance against British rule.
• 😀 The Salt March led to the Civil Disobedience Movement, with over 80,000 Indians, including Gandhi, imprisoned.
• 😀 The march received widespread media coverage and became a key turning point in India's independence struggle.

Q & A

What was the salt tax imposed by the British in India, and why was it problematic?

The British imposed a salt tax in India in 1835, which made salt much more expensive and difficult for the Indian population, especially the poor, to afford. The tax also prohibited Indians from producing or selling salt, making it an unjust restriction on a basic necessity.

Why did Gandhi choose salt as a focus for his protest against British rule?

Gandhi considered salt to be essential for life, second only to air and water. He believed that salt was not only crucial for health and making food taste better but also symbolized the British control over basic necessities, making it a powerful symbol of resistance.

When did Gandhi's salt march take place, and what was its starting point?

Gandhi's salt march started on March 12, 1930, from the Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

How long was the salt march, and how many people participated?

The salt march was 240 miles long, stretching from Ahmedabad to Dandi. It started with 78 people, but as the march progressed, thousands of people joined in from across India.

What was the main objective of the salt march?

The main objective of the salt march was to protest against the British salt tax and the unfair laws prohibiting Indians from producing or selling their own salt.

What significant action did Gandhi take at the end of the march?

At the end of the march, Gandhi picked up grains of salt from the seashore, symbolizing his defiance of British laws and his commitment to challenging the British Empire.

What was Gandhi's declaration after picking up the salt, and what did it signify?

Gandhi declared that with the salt he had picked up, he would 'shake the foundation of the British Empire.' This act symbolized the beginning of the civil disobedience movement against British rule in India.

What was the outcome of the salt march and its impact on the Indian independence movement?

Following the salt march, over 80,000 Indians, including Gandhi, were jailed by the British. However, the march received widespread media attention, marking a pivotal moment in the Indian independence movement, which eventually led to India gaining independence in 1947.

How did the British respond to the salt march and its growing impact?

The British eventually relented and invited Gandhi to London for discussions on reforms in India, acknowledging the widespread influence and significance of the salt march and the civil disobedience movement.

What lesson did Gandhi's salt march teach about resistance and unity?

Gandhi's salt march demonstrated that even small, seemingly powerless actions—like the simple grain of salt—could have a massive impact when people unite with conviction and courage. It showed that collective resistance against injustice could lead to significant change.