Gandhi Ashram

The Gandhi Ashram situated alongside the Sabarmati River, was the nerve center for the Indian Freedom movement. The beautiful ashram complex with it's shady trees offers a refuge from the loud streets of the city. There is a museum inside the Ashram complex. During the lifetime of Mahatma Gandhi it was known as Satyagraha Ashram.

After Gandhiji’s return from South Africa, he decided to settle in Ahmedabad. It was for four reasons that he selected this place - In his own words "being a Gujarati, I'll serve my country best through the use of Gujarati language. As Ahmedabad was the centre of handloom in early days, the work of spinning wheel (charkha) could be done in a better way, I believed. Being the capital of Gujarat its wealthy persons will also make larger contribution, I hoped." And in none of this he was disappointed during his sixteen years stay in Ahmedabad. His first ashram was set up at Kochrab near Paldi of the present day Ahmedabad, which was a bungalow of his barrister friend Jivanlal Desai. This place had to be abandoned after two years in the wake of a plague epidemic. The choice now fell on a site on the bank of Sabarmati River, not far from saint Dadheechi's temple and in the vicinity of a Prison House. Laying down the objective of the Ashram, Gandhiji wrote: "To take training for the national service which is not contrary to universal well being and constantly endeavouring for such national service is the aim of this Ashram." Few dwelling units were built gradually and the Ashram soon started humming with activities. The units were simple in style but very functional. Gandhiji first stayed in the Vanatshala-a place where handlooms were installed-but later on moved to `Hridaykunj', so named by Kakasaheb kalelker as it was the pulse of the Ashram. This Spartan accommodation was to witness Gandhiji's evolution from Mohandas to Mahatma, who rose to be the Father of the Nation.

The first struggle that he spearheaded from Sabarmati Ashram was that of textile mill workers. On the third day of his fast the mill-owners came to terms and the establishment of Textile labour Association was the far-reaching consequence of this encounter. This struggle also brought Vallabhbhai Patel, Shankerlal Banker and Ansuyaben Sarabhai as close associates of Gandhiji. What distinguished Gandhiji's struggle was its penetration into social spheres of life. His activities were not merely confined to political awakening but also targeted to social rejuvenation. His charkha and untouchability abolition campaign brought the majority of the deprived masses of India into the national mainstream. After his release from jail, Gandhiji returned to the Sabarmati Ashram where he was soon occupied with his constructive activities. Publishing of his autobiography "My Experiments with Truth" with the help of Mahadevbhai and Miraben unravelled the strength of Bapu's character. During the same time he also performed the Opening Ceremony of Gujarat Vidyapith - "an act of a rishi" in his words. The most glorious chapter of Sabarmati Ashram is the way in which he bid farewell to it. It galvanised the country into hitherto unknown sense of unity and national spirit. The moment arrived when the genesis of salt duties was unearthed. Bapu gave a call to break the Salt law and embarked on a 240-mile march with seventy-nine followers. On 12th March 1930 Bapu commenced on this trail setting nation ablaze with the spirit of defiance.

Mahatma Ganghi fondly known as Bapu lived here from 1917 until 1930. It was a human laboratory where the Mahatma could test his moral and spiritual hypotheses.The Ashram at Sabarmati displays the Mahatma's letters and other possessions and collection of photographs of his years of India's freedom struggle. It is a peaceful, serene stretch on the banks of the Sabarmati river which is a national monument today, and it is here that one gets a glimpse into the simplicity of the great man. It was from here that the Mahatma and his band of followers led various Satyagrahas, the most notable being the historic Dandi March– a journey that ultimately culminated in the ending of the British rule. The light and sound show in the evening is an added attraction for visitors to this place.

Ahmedabad, Gujarat.