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What impact did Mahatma Gandhi have on the Indian Independence Movement?

One could easily argue that Mahatma Gandhi had a greater effect on the Indian Independence Movement than any other individual. Perhaps history will best remember the fact that Gandhi was able to influence many through nonviolent civil disobedience.


When the British had a monopoly on salt—a staple food in the Indian diet—Indian citizens were forced to buy salt from the British with heavy associated taxes and premiums. Gandhi unified tens of thousands to follow him in his initiative of satyagrha—or mass civil disobedience.


As Gandhi marched 241 miles from Sabarmati to the Arabian Sea in 1930, thousands joined in with him. When they arrived, Gandhi picked up a small lump of salt from the beach for the purpose of making salt, which was forbidden by law. 


Though Gandhi was imprisoned soon after, his impact was strongly felt. Not long after Gandhi was imprisoned, 2,500 marched on the Dharasana Salt Works. When the peaceful protesters arrived, they were beaten. As the world found out about the treatment of these protesters, Britain was forced to reexamine its laws and treatment of Indian citizens. 


In 1931, Gandhi was released from prison and subsequently negotiated to call off the satyagrha in exchange for a role in the London conference on India’s future. Gandhi continued to be instrumental in India-British relations until India was granted independence in 1947.

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