GK Quiz on Dandi March

The Salt March or Dandi March or Salt Satyagraha is regarded as one of the most well-known events in the Indian independence movement. 

This was a 24 day non violent protest by Mahatma Gandhi to fight the British colonial rule by disobeying the salt tax between March 12 and April 6, 1930.

British salt regulations levied high taxes on a basic commodity, and this touched all households of Indians, and thus they raised enormous amounts of revenue to the empire. 

In January 1930, Gandhi submitted 11-point demands to the Viceroy Lord Irwin such as the abolition of salt tax, their failure to do so led to action. 

This was after the Purna swaraj declaration of Indian national congress at Lahore in December 1929 that changed the policy of petition to mass civil disobedience.

GK Quiz on Dandi March

Test your knowledge with these 10 questions on the Dandi March. Answers follow each for quick reference.

• Q1: When did the Dandi March begin and end?
  A: March 12 to April 6, 1930 (24 days).

• Q2: From where did Gandhi start the march?
  A: Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad.

• Q3: What was the distance covered?
  A: 241 miles (387 km) to Dandi in Navsari district, Gujarat.

• Q4: How many followers started with Gandhi?
  A: 78 satyagrahis (thousands joined later).

• Q5: What law did Gandhi break on reaching Dandi?
  A: British salt monopoly by picking natural salt and boiling seawater.

• Q6: Name two prominent women participants.
  A: Sarojini Naidu and Mithuben Petit.

• Q7: What was the British response?
  A: Arrested over 60,000 people, including Gandhi on May 5, 1930.

• Q8: Which pact ended the initial phase?
  A: Gandhi-Irwin Pact, March 5, 1931.

• Q9: First halt after Sabarmati?
  A: Aslali (13 miles).

• Q10: Why target salt tax?
  A: It was an essential consumed by all classes, symbolizing oppressive colonial revenue.

What was the Reason Behind the Dandi March?

Mahatma Gandhi started the march at Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad with 78 satyagrahs and took 241 miles (387 km) to the village of Dandi in Gujarat in the district of Navsari. He completed this journey in 24 days. 

The path also crossed important stations such as Aslali, Borsad, and Jambusar, where villagers were recruited to join the company by feeding them. On April 6, Gandhi took natural salt at the beach and boiled the sea water, which he publicly defied the salt monopoly.

Who were the Key Participants in Dandi March?

The strategic leader was Mahatma Gandhi, an ardent follower was Sarojini Naidu, who shouted a cry of victory when she said, “We have conquered the salt tax!” at Dandi, and at Mitutben Petit, one of the very few women marchers. The number of thousands who joined the ranks on their way made it a mass movement, but women had main supporting roles despite the first limitations.

What was the Result of Dandi March?

The act created a wave of disobedience throughout the country: millions of people smuggled salt, and more than 60,000 people were arrested, and Gandhi was among them on May 5, 1930. 

Demonstrations were also organised in the coastal areas such as Vedaranniyam in Tamil Nadu and Balasore in Odisha, which caught the attention of the international media and pressured Britain. 

On March 5, 1931, the Gandhi-Irwin Pact suspended the movement in return for releasing prisoners and getting the right to produce salt.

The march undermined British rule and demonstrated the strength of non-violence and brought various Indians together to fight imperialism. Today, it is commemorated with the National Salt Satyagraha Memorial in Dandi in which the location has been maintained as a reminder of the Satyagraha all over the world.

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