Gandhiji in south africa Introduction-
- Mahatma Gandhi was a prominent Indian nationalist leader, who played a pivotal role in India's struggle for independence from British colonial rule.
- He was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat, India. Gandhi studied law in London and then went to South Africa, where he spent two decades working as a lawyer and fighting for the rights of Indians living there.
- Mahatma Gandhi is widely known for his contribution to India's freedom struggle, but before returning to India, he spent over 20 years in South Africa.
- During this period, he played an important role in the civil rights movement and fought against discrimination faced by the Indian community.
Gandhi's work in Africa
Here are some of the key points regarding Gandhi's work in Africa:
Arrival in South Africa:
- In 1893, Gandhi arrived in South Africa as a young lawyer. During his time there, he experienced first-hand the discrimination faced by Indians in the country, which was a British colony at the time.
- This discrimination inspired him to start his activism in the country.
Formation of the Natal Indian Congress:
- In 1894, Gandhi founded the Natal Indian Congress, which aimed to fight against discrimination and improve the living conditions of the Indian community.
- This was Gandhi's first foray into public life and activism.
Civil rights campaigns:
- Gandhi led several civil rights campaigns during his time in South Africa, including the famous Indian Opinion campaign, which sought to promote Indian rights and challenge discriminatory policies.
- He also led the fight against the Asiatic Registration Act, which required Indians to carry passes at all times.
Satyagraha against Registration Certificates (1906)
- In 1906, the government of Transvaal passed a law that required all Indians to register and carry a certificate at all times or face deportation.
- Gandhiji organized a peaceful protest against the law, which included burning of registration certificates.
- The protest was successful and the government was forced to negotiate a settlement, which resulted in the withdrawal of the law.
Campaign against Restrictions on Indian Migration
- In 1908, the government of Transvaal passed a law that restricted the entry of Indians into the province and required them to pay a high tax.
- Gandhiji organized a campaign against the law, which involved passive resistance and civil disobedience.
- The campaign was successful and the government was forced to repeal the law.
Tolstoy Farm:
- Gandhi established the Tolstoy Farm in 1910, which was a community of people committed to living a simple, sustainable lifestyle.
- This community served as a model for his later work in India.
Campaign against Poll Tax and Invalidation of Indian Marriages
- In 1913, the government of Natal passed a law that required all Indians to pay a poll tax and invalidated all Indian marriages that were not registered.
- Gandhiji organized a campaign against the law, which involved civil disobedience and boycotts of the poll tax.
- The campaign was successful and the government was forced to negotiate a settlement, which resulted in the repeal of the law and the recognition of Indian marriages.
Protest against Transvaal Immigration Act
- In 1913, the government of Transvaal passed a law that prohibited the entry of Indians into the province.
- Gandhiji organized a peaceful protest against the law, which involved mass civil disobedience and arrests.
- The protest was successful and the government was forced to negotiate a settlement, which resulted in the relaxation of the law.
Departure from Africa:
- In 1914, Gandhi left South Africa and Ganhiji returned to India. He brought with him the experience and lessons learned from his time in Africa, which proved instrumental in his later work for Indian independence.
Overall, Gandhiji's work in Africa helped establish the principles of non-violent protest and civil disobedience that he later used in India's struggle for independence. His campaigns in Africa also helped shape his political and social ideologies, and provided him with valuable experience and leadership skills.
In which year gandhiji returned to india from south africa ?
1914