Foundation of Sabarmati Ashram.

The establishment of the Sabarmati Ashram marked an important chapter in India's struggle for independence. Situated on the banks of the Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad, the ashram served as both a residence and a hub for political and social activities led by Mahatma Gandhi. The ashram was initially set up as a community where Gandhi and his followers could live self-sufficiently, adhering to the principles of truth, non-violence, and simplicity. The location on the Sabarmati River was strategically chosen because it was midway between a jail and a crematorium, symbolizing Gandhi’s belief that a non-violent fighter has to be prepared for an act of independence or a jail going. The ashram encompassed the ideals of Swaraj (self-rule) and became a breeding ground for training activists in civil disobedience and non-violent resistance, crucial elements in the struggle for independence. A major impact of the ashram was the launch of the Dandi March, also known as the Salt March, which started from Sabarmati and lasted 24 days, spanning 240 miles to the coastal village of Dandi. This protest against the British salt tax was a definitive act of civil disobedience that attracted international attention. The Sabarmati Ashram thus became a focal point for the Civil Disobedience Movement and other campaigns that questioned British authority in India. With a sprawling area that included several residential buildings, fields for agriculture, and spinning wheels for producing khadi, the ashram was a self-reliant community. It housed up to seventy families and functioned as a center for teaching and promoting the values of non-violence and communal harmony. The ashram also hosted numerous national and international visitors who came to learn from Gandhi’s philosophies and methodologies. #Gandhi #SabarmatiAshram #NonViolence #CivilDisobedience #SpiritualCenter #MoofLife