Salt Satyagraha and the Round Table Conferences

The essentials

At its Lahore session in December 1929, presided over by Jawaharlal Nehru, the Congress committed itself to Purna Swaraj (complete independence). 26 January 1930 was celebrated as Independence Day across India.

Gandhi then chose to break the salt law, which gave the state a monopoly over the manufacture and sale of salt. Salt was used by everyone, rich and poor, so the tax affected all. On 12 March 1930, Gandhi began his march from his ashram at Sabarmati towards the coast, reaching Dandi on 6 April 1930, where he made salt by boiling sea water. Thousands across India broke the salt law, and the movement spread to the boycott of foreign cloth and refusal of taxes. This launched the Civil Disobedience Movement. Many, including Gandhi, were arrested.

Key points

• The Salt March drew world attention through extensive coverage in European and American press, and many women took part.
• It made the British realise that their rule would not last forever and that they had to share power with Indians.
• The First Round Table Conference was held in London in November 1930, without the Congress.
• The Gandhi-Irwin Pact (March 1931): civil disobedience was called off, prisoners were released and salt manufacture was allowed along the coast. Radical nationalists criticised it.
• Gandhi attended the Second Round Table Conference (London, late 1931). His claim that Congress represented all of India was challenged by the Muslim League, the princes and Dr B.R. Ambedkar, who argued that Gandhi did not represent the lower castes. The conference ended without result.
• The Government of India Act of 1935 promised some representative government; in 1937 elections the Congress formed ministries in many provinces.

Common mistakes

• Gandhi attended only the Second Round Table Conference, not the first.