7 milestones in the life of Gandhi

1893: Racism in South Africa

Gandhi is thrown off from a train in South Africa by passengers for travelling in a First Class seat. This was his first brush with racism and steeled his resolve to fight against such discrimination as a lawyer.

1894: Natal Indian Congress

Gandhi starts a political association, Natal Indian Congress, to fight against the racial discrimination in South Africa. He opposes a bill that seeks to deny Indians the right to vote. Even though he did not succeed, it marks his rise as a fighter for justice.

1919: Khilafat Movement

It was the year in which Gandhi started garnering strong Muslim support for his leadership in the Khilafat movement. His aim was to unite Hindus and Muslims to fight together against the British.

1920: Boycott Movement against British goods

Gandhi strengthens the ‘Boycott Movement’ by getting people to reject British products and encourage them to be self-sufficient – such as making their own clothes.

1930: Salt March

Also known as Dandi March, this was an act of non-violent civil disobedience in colonial India, led by Gandhi. The aim is to produce salt from the seawater in the coastal village of Dandi in Gujarat, in defiance of the British taxation on salt production.

1942: Quit India Movement

Also known as India August Movement, this was a movement launched at the Bombay session of the All-India Congress Committee by Gandhi on August 8, during the Second World War, demanding an end to British Rule of India. Gandhi was arrested for his actions by the British soon after.

1943: Hunger strike

Objecting to his detention without charges by the British, 73-year old Gandhi starts a hunger strike that lasted 21 days. He also undertook multiple fasts in the interest of Hindu-Muslim unity after the first Non-Cooperation Movement. Gandhi was staunchly against the partition of India, but he was ultimately overruled.