In the struggle for India’s independence, few movements were as powerful as…
2026
In the struggle for India’s independence, few movements were as powerful as the Salt Satyagraha. Led by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930, this nonviolent protest was a direct challenge to British rule and their oppressive salt laws. At the time, the British controlled the production and taxation of salt, making it illegal for Indians to collect or sell it. This simple necessity became a symbol of colonial exploitation, and Gandhi decided to resist.
On 12 March 1930, Gandhi, along with 78 followers, set out on a 240-mile march from his ashram in Sabarmati to the coastal village of Dandi. As they walked, thousands joined them, transforming the march into a national movement. On 6 April, Gandhi reached the seashore and picked up a handful of salt—defying British law. This act of civil disobedience sparked mass protests across India, with people making and selling salt illegally.
The British responded with brutal force, arresting over 60,000 people, including Gandhi himself. But the movement had already shaken the empire. The Salt Satyagraha proved that nonviolence could be a powerful weapon against oppression and inspired freedom struggles worldwide. It was a turning point in India’s journey to independence.
Q. Why did Gandhi pick up salt at Dandi?
- A.
To express defiance against British salt laws
- B.
To prove his leadership in the independence movement
- C.
To set an example for the masses to follow
- D.
To show that salt production was a natural right
Attempted by 11 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Correct Option
Option 1: To express defiance against British salt laws
Detailed Explanation
The text explicitly states that on 6 April, Gandhi reached the seashore and picked up a handful of salt to defy British law.
This act was part of the nonviolent protest known as the Salt Satyagraha, which served as a direct challenge to British rule and their oppressive salt laws.