Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad – symbol of Ahimsa (Non-violence)

Fight for the independence often involves taking away lives, violence, loss of property. But in the beginning of Twentieth Century the whole world saw for the first time that fight for the rights can be done through non-violence also as an alternative to armed aggression. Success story of an Indian lawyer named Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi’s first non-violent movement in September 1906 in South Africa spread across the nations.

In the year 1915 when M.K. Gandhi returned to India non-violence movement took it’s final shape. Gandhiji believed that radical nationalists’ fight for the freedom through violence was an excuse to the British to act in cruel manner. He had so much faith in “ahimsa” (non-violence) that he wished Indians to gain the moral authority by refusing to react against the British cruelty during the mass protest through non-violence. The more the British used violence against peace-loving people, the more common public would stand against the British – that was his strong opinion. He believed that “an eye for an eye will make the whole world blind”. Later, during “Satyagraha Movement”, “Quit India Movement” reflection of this firm belief is observed.

Now the question comes, why did Gandhiji establish Sabarmati Ashram? As I walked inside Sabarmati Ashram my curious mind got it’s answer there itself. The details of idea of the Ashram as per the information depicted in the complex is given below:

“Ashram here means a community of men of religion…but what is religion? I, for one, would answer, not the religion which you will get after reading all the scriptures of the world; it is not really a grasp by the brain, but it is a heart-grasp…and whether we wake up this religious instinct in us through outside assistance or by inward growth…it has got to be done if we want to do anything in the right manner and anything that is going to persist.”

Next question comes in mind why did he choose Ahmedabad for his Ashram? M.K. Gandhi was born and raised in present day Gujarat. So for starting the wave of protests through non-violence in India he definitely needed a place where he thought would gain public support in the very beginning itself. In the words of Gandhiji the reason for choosing Ahmedabad for setting up his Ashram is given here:

“I had predilection for Ahmedabad. Being a Gujarati I thought I should be able to render the greatest service to the country through the Gujarati language. And then, as Ahmedabad was an ancient centre of handloom weaving, it was likely to be the most favourable field for the revival of the cottage industry of hand-spinning. There was also the hope, that the city being the capital of Gujarat, monetary help from its wealthy citizens would be more available than elsewhere.”

Gandhiji established his first Ashram in India in Kochrab area of Ahmedabad on May 25, 1915. The Kochrab Ashram which went on to become a major site of social reform (major reform was an attempt to eradicate untouchability) and the epicentre of the freedom struggle was housed in a bungalow on rent from Barrister and a friend of Gandhiji, Jivanlal Desai.

Seth Mangaldas, a prominent local industrialist in Ahmedabad, came forward to bear the expenditure in connection with establishing the Ashram. Later on, other industrialists joined to financially support Gandhiji.

It was this Kochrab Ashram where Gandhiji started first protest against “untouchability” which was a common scene in Indian society back then. He welcomed Dudabhai’s family into Ashram community in 26th September 1915 ignoring protests from the inmates of the Ashram including his wife Kasturba. Gandhiji stated “for reform of Hinduism and for its real protection, removal of untouchability is the greatest thing…In battling against untouchability and in dedicating myself to that battle, I have no less an ambition than to see a complete regeneration of humanity”. But his bold step towards social reformation caused a major financial crisis as financial assistance from the local industrialists were withdrawn. Then Ambalal Sarabhai, a reputed local industrialist came forward with much needed financial help to relieve Gandhiji.

Two years later i.e. June 17th, 1917 Gandhiji moved his Ashram from Kochrab to present day location near Sabarmati river due to multiple reasons. First of all, plague broke out that time in Kochrab area. The present day location was near to Sabarmati Jail and crematorium which Gandhiji thought would be a perfect place as going to Jail would become a normal thing due to continuous non-violent movements and death is expected during nonviolent movement. Thirdly, Kochrab Ashram had small area. Gandhiji wanted to show the way to self-sufficiency and in order to do that he needed larger rea to carry out various activities such as farming and animal husbandry.

As you enter the gate of Sabarmati Ashram at first you will get to see the map of the Ashram giving you an idea of the Ashram. One after another you will find following spots in the Ashram: Museum named “Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalya” where you will see display of rare letters, newspaper clippings, photograpghs related to Gandhiji, open air prayer place named “Prarthana Bhoomi“, Gadhiji’s home from 1917 to 1930 named “Hriday Kunj“, “Vinoba Kutir and Mira Kutir” (home of Vinoba Bhabe who stayed in the Ashram from 1918-1921 and home of Madeliene Slade from 1925-1933, a British Admiral’s daughter who adopted Gandhiji’s ideology and was called Mira by Gandhiji), “Magan Niwas” – home of Gandhiji’s nephew Maganlal Gandhi who upgraded designs of “Charkha” – the spinning wheel, “Nandini” – guesthouse of Sabarmati Ashram, “Udyog Mandir” – symbol of self-reliance and dignity of labour, “Khadi Shop” and “Book Shop“.

Ashram’s observances are : Truth, non-violence, chastity, control of the palate,non-stealing, non-possession, swadeshi, fearlessness,removal of untouchability, varnasthama dharma, tolerance,physical labour. Details about the observances can be read on Sabarmati Ashram’s official website.

On March 12th, 1930 Gandhiji started his famous Dandi march from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi (located at 240 miles from the Ashram) in protest of The Indian Salt Act, 1882 which prohibited Indians collecting or selling salt (in order to promote British salt). During this time he also declared that he would not return to the Ashram until India gained independence. Bitter truth is that Gandhiji never returned to Sabarmati Ashram after Dandi march. India was declared a free nation in 1947 and Gandhiji was assassinated in 1948.

Charkha – a simple spinning wheel became a symbol of self-reliance as Gandhiji promoted the cottage industry which later on becmae a symbol of Indian freedom struggle not only through getting rid of the British administration but also through gaining freedom from dependence on the industrial products from the foreigners. Initially British Government exported raw materials like cotton to England at low price and imported costly finished products causing Indian revenue to drain out. Charkha was a symbol of generating employment within the country. In a nutshell Charkha symbolises not only political freedom but economic freedom as well. Boycotting the British products gained momentum due to Gandhiji’s cottage industry promotion.

In April, 1921 Gandhiji in his journal “Young India” wrote about the need of Indian flag proposing a flag with a charkha or spinning wheel in the center. Final “Swadeshi Flag” officially adopted by Indian National Congress in 1931 had saffron on the top, white in the middle and green at the bottom with a charkha at the center of the white. Even under the British threats “Swadeshi Flag” became a symbol of freedom movement. After 1947 Government of India adopted Gandhiji’s idea of cottage industry and “Khadi Gram Udyog” was started. “Khadi Gram Udyog” is still quite popular across the nation as well as outside India generating employment and revenue.

The Story of My Experiments with Truth – Gandhi’s autobiography’s small portion was included in our syllabus during my school days (I can’t remember which Class/Grade). This world famous autobiography was written in 1920s in Sabarmati Ashram. It is amazing to see how Gandhiji’s philosophy shaped Indian freedom movement gathering large Indian mass under one umbrella. At the bookshop in Sabarmati Ashram you will find large collection of historically important books on Gandhiji.

Gandhiji became fond of three simple thoughts: Speak no evil, see no evil and hear no evil when a Japanese monk named Nichidatsu Fujii gifted three figures of monkeys to Gandhijiillustrating three principles.

Things to remember: (i) Knowing about the ashram through reading through various sources (online or offline) will be helpful during the trip (I read online sources before my trip). (iii) Ahmedabad like other western states of India can be very hot during summer. Try to visit during winter (November to February). (iv) As majority of Gujaratis follow Jainism, it will be difficult to spot non-veg restaurant. We found a vegetarian Domino’s Pizza shop (cool, isn’t it?). (v) You can purchase khadi products and other related items from Sabarmati Ashram. There are many Khadi shops outside the ashram area as well. (vi) You can donate for the cause of preserving the ideologies of Gandhiji in favour of Sabarmati Ashram Preservation and Memorial Trust. (vii) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Museum, located in Moti Shahi Mahal (a palace built by Mughal emperor Shahjahan in early 17th Century) which is nearby Sabarmati Ashram cannot be missed.

How to get to Sabarmati Ashram: Sabarmati Ashram can be reached by train, bus, or by air. Nearest Railway Station is Ahmedabad Junction, nearest Busstand is Gandhi Ashram Busstop and nearest Airport is Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. We reached Ahmedabad by train and then booked a Cab for the day to see major tourist spots in Ahmedabad. Our first stop was Sabarmati Ashram.

Entry fee and time: Sabarmati Ashram is open to all without any charge from 8.30am to 6.30pm. The ashram is open everyday including holidays.