essay on sabarmati ashram

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About Gandhi Ashram

Hridaya Kunj, Gandhi's Home

On his return from South Africa, Gandhi’s first Ashram in India was established in the Kochrab area of Ahmedabad on 25 May 1915. The Ashram was then shifted on 17 June 1917 to a piece of open land on the banks of the river Sabarmati. Reasons for this shift included: he wanted to do some experiments in living eg farming, animal husbandry, cow breeding, Khadi and related constructive activities, for which he was in search of this kind of barren land; mythologically, it was the ashram site of Dadhichi Rishi who had donated his bones for a righteous war; it is between a jail and a crematorium as he believed that a satyagrahi has to invariably go to either place. The Sabarmati Ashram (also known as Harijan Ashram) was home to Mohandas Gandhi from 1917 until 1930 and served as one of the main centres of the Indian freedom struggle. Originally called the Satyagraha Ashram, reflecting the movement toward passive resistance launched by the Mahatma, the Ashram became home to the ideology that set India free. Sabarmati Ashram named for the river on which it sits, was created with a dual mission. To serve as an institution that would carry on a search for truth and a platform to bring together a group of workers committed to non-violence who would help secure freedom for India.

By conceiving such a vision Gandhi and his followers hoped to foster a new social construct of truth and non-violence that would help to revolutionize the existing pattern of like.

While at the Ashram, Gandhi formed a school that focused on manual labour, agriculture, and literacy to advance his efforts for self-sufficiency. It was also from here on the 12 March 1930 that Gandhi launched the famous Dandi march 241 miles from the Ashram (with 78 companions) in protest of the British Salt Law, which taxed Indian salt in an effort to promote sales of British salt in India. This mass awakening filled the British jails with 60 000 freedom fighters. Later the government seized their property, Gandhi, in sympathy with them, responded by asking the Government to forfeit the Ashram. Then Government, however, did not oblige. He had by now already decided on 22 July 1933 to disband the Ashram, which later became asserted place after the detention of many freedom fighters, and then some local citizens decided to preserve it. On 12 March 1930 he vowed that he would not return to the Ashram until India won independence. Although this was won on 15 August 1947, when India was declared a free nation, Gandhi was assassinated in January 1948 and never returned.

Over the years, the Ashram became home to the ideology that set India free. It aided countless other nations and people in their own battles against oppressive forces.

Today, the Ashram serves as a source of inspiration and guidance, and stands as a monument to Gandhi’s life mission and a testimony to others who have fought a similar struggle.

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Sabarmati Ashram: The story of resilience and abode of peace.

The Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad is in news for its redesign and redevelopment which is inviting ire from Gandhians. They feel the sanctity of the Ashram should not be mutilated.

Vibes of India delves into the fine, many known and several unknown outstanding aspects of this unique abode of peace envisaged by the Mahatma besides detailing its socio-political role and context. The Ashram was a serene place that shaped much of Mahatma’s philosophy and actions which later came to the forefront during the Independence movement.

From establishing the foundation of his fight against religious and caste-based discrimination, breaking societal stereotypes, to driving the British out of India, the ashram was Gandhiji’s ground zero and his sanctum sanctorum. The Gandhi Ashram located on the banks of the Sabarmati river saw India in its various colours, revolutions and contextual histories but one thing that remains uncontested is the fact that this Sabarmati Ashram continues to remain Mahatma Gandhi’s most poignant creation and beautiful gift to the humanity.

As inarticulate he may have seemed in Mumbai courts, Gandhiji found self-actualization in discovering the theory of Satyagraha in the southern part of the dark continent – Africa.

He taught people to fight for their rights and to oppose injustice; he steered the fight against apartheid in South Africa through the principles of non-violence. With the experience of this battle, he set out to return to India in 1914, carrying the infallible weapon of self-confidence and the principles of Satyagraha. Those who knew his herculean efforts in South Africa looked at him with immense hope.

After his departure from South Africa, and a brief visit to England, Gandhiji came to India along with a few selected activists and family members. The group came to be known as the Phoenix party (They were the original inmates of the Phoenix settlement established in 1902 at Durban, where Satyagrah was first used as a weapon of political dissidence). The Ashram of Swami Shraddhanand of Kangdi Gurukul was selected as their residence in the beginning, then the group stayed at Shantiniketan of Rabindranath Tagore.

The ashram was a beautiful blend of austerity, love and art. So as to nurture the familial sentiment amongst all, the teachers were given meaningful epithets. So Kakasaheb Kalelkar became ‘Kaka’, Phadke ‘Mama’, Harihar Sharma ‘Anna’, Anand ‘Swami’, and Patvardhan was ‘Appa’

Gandhiji was asked by Gopal Krishna Gokhale to travel for a year and refrain from forming an opinion on any public issue or expressing it. Gandhiji kept his promise and travelled across India and visited many institutions.

After his tour, he wanted the ashram tradition to be continued for himself and his Phoenix brethren. And above all, he wanted to establish an ‘ashram’ to deal with the public issues, for the adoption of a moral path, for implementing the ideal of moral discipline.  After visiting several regions of India and receiving insistent invitations from different places, Gandhiji decided to establish his own ashram in Ahmedabad. At that time, Ahmedabad was an important centre of the textile capital of India.  It was hoped that the affluent people here would be able to help more financially. Of all the reasons, the most important reason in Gandhiji’s eyes was that being a Gujarati himself, he would be able to serve the nation better through the Gujarati language.

Establishment of Kochrab

The Ashram was started on May 15, 1917, by renting a bungalow from Barrister Jivanlal Desai near Kochrab village in Ahmedabad. There was a lot of discussion in naming the ashram at that time.  Different people suggested many names like Tapovan, Sevamandir, Satyagrahashram, Deshsevashram.  In the end, the name “Satyagrahashram” which contained the connotations of the idea of service and the method of service, was selected. It was to be an introduction to the method he had put to use to fight injustice in South Africa, to India. Initially, the ashram was started by 13 Tamilians whom Gandhiji had brought with him from South Africa and about twenty-five other local men and women. The rulebook was formed and the habitation at the ashram began.

The first test: Untouchability

It was only a short time after the ashram started that it met with a formidable test. In the rules of the ashram, untouchability was fully denounced. It was resolved that whoever came to the ashram had to be willing to follow the rules and overcome their prejudices towards caste, creed and religion.

Shortly, Amrutlal Thakkar, an ardent social reformer known as Thakkarbapa, wrote to the ashram asking if a poor family from the bottom of the established caste hierarchy, was looking for shelter and if they would be accepted inside the ashram. Gandhiji readily agreed without hesitation. Dudabhai, Danibahen and little Lakshmi came to the ashram. However, their arrival was not appreciated in the ashram. Kasturba and other women’s groups did not like it either.

The waterman would abuse and torment them with casteist taunts while fetching the water from the well lest he become impure if the drops from their pots touch him. After Gandhiji’s persuasion, everyone acquiesced. Kasturba adopted little Lakshmi and raised her as her own daughter with love. The first test was won.

Shift to Sabarmati

Kochrab was a small village near Ahmedabad at the time of the outbreak of the plague. The children could not be protected from the disease. There was no strength left for implementing the hygiene norms or serving the needful during such difficult times.  Gandhiji considered the plague as a notice to leave the ashram and assigned the task of finding a new place to Punjabhai Hirchand, a servant and trader close to the ashram. Gandhiji liked the location near the Sabarmati Central Jail, the reason being that the jail was like a second home for the Satyagrahis at that time. He also knew that when choosing a prison site, the government ensures cleanliness and security in the surroundings, which could also work to the benefit of Ashram. Sabarmati Ashram was finally established on June 17, 1917.

The Ashram had a prayer ground on sandy plains on the bank of the river. It was the heart of the ashram. There, Gandhiji delivered discourses after prayers. From that very place, he delivered many on spirituality, politics, economy, celibacy, children’s hygiene, and untouchability.

 The mission of the ashram was to imbibe the message of service to the nation and to do it until death. With this objective, the ashram was divided into three parts: Administrators, probationers, and learners.

In order to live in the ashram and to learn about service to the nation, it was necessary to follow some vows and rules. The administrators oversaw them.

The list included:

• Vow of truth
• Vow of non-violence
• Vow of celibacy
• Aswad (Avoiding indulging in food)
• Asteya Vrat (Avoiding unnecessary usage of resources)
• Aparigraha Vrat (Avoiding possessions)
• Swadeshi (Vow to prefer local products)
• Nirbhaya Vrat (Vow to live life fearlessly)
• Vow against untouchability (for countering the untouchability, though it must be mentioned here that it is not meant for the food or practice)
• Swabhasha (pride in language)
• Knitting work
• State policy

If one was not capable enough to take these vows, he would be admitted to the ashram as a probationer, and when he was read, he would become an administrator.

The observance of the vow of celibacy did not mean to exclude the acceptance of the household life. A marriage ritual format was introduced for all communities. So that any ashram inmate could perform these rites, a standard format was also prepared. Newlyweds were expected to adhere to the prescribed code of conduct as in Saptapadi – the Hindu marital vows.  Fatima, the eldest daughter of Imam Saheb Abdul Qadir, an ally of Gandhiji in South Africa, was married in a Muslim ceremony at the ashram. Great-granddaughter of ashram administrator Maganlal Gandhi, Gandhiji’s son Devdas, Lakshmiji, a patron on several occasions like the ones in South Africa or during his travels to England, Pranjivan Mehta, Vallabhbhai Patel’s son Dahyabhai, industrialist Jamnalal Bajaj’s daughter Kamalabahen, Gandhiji’s grandson Kanti Gandhi were all married at the ashram.

The marriage ceremonies were simple. There would not be elaborate religious rituals or negotiations for dowry.  To underline the solemnity and sanctity of married life to newlyweds, selected Sanskrit verses were translated into Gujarati for the bride and groom. After the ceremony, Gandhiji would bless the couple by offering a cotton thread spun by him. In the latter part of his life, Gandhiji took a vow to attend a wedding only if either the bride or the groom belonged to the Harijan community.

Ashram and the political movement

Because of Gandhiji, the ashram became the centre of political activities. Whether it was the non-cooperation movement at Borsad or Satyagraha like the Dandi March, ashram dwellers occupied the central stage. The British government also kept an eye on the activities of the Ashram as Gandhiji was running fiery newspapers like Navjivan and Young India for nation-building in which his inclination was clearly evident. The Rowlatt Act ushered in a new era in Indian politics which catapulted the Mahatma to the forefront of Indian politics. Satyagraha was started by the ashram in protest of the Rowlatt Bill. Muslims too joined in.

At least 79 activists had volunteered were ready to join the Dandi March with Gandhiji. Though many from Gujarat and elsewhere were ready to join, Bapuji decreed that only Ashram inmates should be part of the march. Addressing the Ashram dwellers after the prayer, Bapu said, “One has to sacrifice himself at the altar of the nation. There shall be no backtracking. All adversities encountered shall have to be faced cheerfully. One must subscribe to join the march only if ready for such predicament.”

Dandi March (Dandi Kooch) was christened Dandiyatra (pilgrimage to Dandi)  as this campaign was conceived as a crusade. Upon his departure, Gandhiji made the historic declaration that, “If I do not get Swaraj, I will die on the way, I will stay outside the ashram. If the salt tax is not revoked, I do not have any intention to return to ashram.”

Addressing another gathering at Chandola in Ahmedabad, he uttered his world-famous proclamation, “I shall die a death of a stray dog or of a raven, but I shall not return to the ashram without attaining freedom for India.”

After leaving for the Dandi March in 1930, Gandhiji never returned to Ashram during his lifetime.

Akin to a steam engine replenishing its stock of coal, Gandhiji would come to the Ashram to restore his energy. The ashram was his chef d’oeuvre. His escape.

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It’s very informative , This basic history and then after the great history is great ….. Congrats sharing this matter Thanks

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Sabarmati Ashram – Sowing the seeds of Indian Independence

My life is my message – M.K. Gandhi

Once a humble dwelling of Mahatma Gandhi and his wife Kasturba, Sabarmati Ashram is now a monument of national importance sitting in the heart of Ahmedabad. About 5 km north of Ahmedabad , Sabarmati Ashram lies on the serene, tranquil stretch of Sabarmati River. Also known as the Satyagraha Ashram or the Gandhi Ashram , indeed the monument has witnessed many historical events for Indian independence that ultimately set the country free in 1947 including the legendary Dandi March .

The Sabarmati Ashram is not just a place where you can go back in time to trace the life of Mahatma, it is a destination for soul-searching as well . Gandhi would describe this place as, “This is the right place for our activities to carry on the search for truth and develop fearlessness, for on one side are the iron bolts of the foreigners, and on the other the thunderbolts of Mother Nature.”

Note: This article belongs to a series called Freedom to Travel . The series aims at educating the reader on the lesser-known locations that were instrumental during the Indian Freedom struggle. You can find the other articles in the series here .

What makes the Ashram so special

Sabarmati Ashram still echoes with the legacy left behind by Gandhi. Here lived a man with ideas so strong that you will be moved even today; here lived a man who united an entire nation; here lived a man with a simple yet an unmistakable understanding of the common man. As soon as you enter the ashram, you can immediately feel a change in the air. There is peace and serenity all around you; the timeless wisdom and warmth of the great Mahatma continue to inhabit the ashram spread over 32 acres of land . There is so much more to the walls and pictures, this is a place that shaped not just the greatest leader the world has ever known, but also the future of India.

A tour of the Ashram

Museum and library.

The museum and library are newer additions to the national monument. Architect Charles Correa designed these two buildings to ensure they match the existing structure of the ashram. As you step on to the porch, a sign reads “Begin your tour from here” . On the right-hand side of the porch, there is a photo gallery called “Gandhi in Ahmedabad” which has pictures on the life of Mahatma Gandhi in Ahmedabad. It includes the famous Dandi March which was initiated in this very same ashram. Spend some time here to know all about Gandhiji’s extraordinary life in Ahmedabad.

[Also read – Navratri expereince in the city of Vadodara ]

‘My Life is My Message’ Gallery

On the left side of the porch, there is a whiteboard that says “My life is my message” written by none other than the Mahatma himself. Just beside the whiteboard, there is another photo gallery displaying pictures of Gandhi from his birth to the tragic assassination. This photo gallery takes you through an extraordinary journey of a young man in South Africa to the Father of the Nation.

The library has an extensive collection of letters, manuscripts of articles written by Gandhi which were later published in Navajivan , Young India and Harijan ; a collection of postal stamps; diaries of Gandhi and some of his colleagues; eulogiums offered to Gandhiji; films in Hindi, Gujarati, and English portraying Gandhi’s life and mission; video as well as audio cassettes;  rare books on India’s independence struggle along with rare photo negatives. On exiting the gate of the Library, you can see pictures of eminent personalities such as Bernard Shaw and Albert Einstein with quotations on Gandhi.

The library fills you with joy and pride for the nation and at the same time humbles you by reminding all that our forefathers endured to give us a better tomorrow.

Magan Niwas

If you exit the porch from the back, you will encounter the residence of Maganlal Gandhi , nephew of Gandhi, and one of the most important persons in the Ashram. He was affectionately called  ‘the Soul of the Ashram’  by Gandhiji and one would learn why when they read about his contribution. There are charkhas of various shapes and sizes in this modest house which has now been turned into a museum hall. It was, in fact, Maganlal who introduced different upgraded designs of the spinning wheel which helped spin some of the finest yarn in 1924.

Hriday Kunj

Named by Kakasaheb Kalelkar, Hriday Kunj is where Mahatma Gandhi lived with his wife Kasturba Gandhi from 1918 to 1930 . Hriday Kunj is the simplest of all complexes with six small-sized rooms and a traditional courtyard in the center. To the left of the courtyard is a small room that was once occupied by Gandhi. Only a writing desk and a charkha can be found inside. The room is closed for the general public to enter but there is a small opening made in the door for visitors to take pictures and enjoy an unobstructed view of the room. The room of Kasturba Gandhi is empty with only a picture hung on the wall. The kitchen is also empty with only a few utensils out on display. The humble dwelling of Gandhi and his wife only exudes humbleness and it only makes it more clear why this frail man was loved and trusted by an entire nation. 

[Also read – Kite festival in India ]

Vinoba-Mira Kutir

Right opposite to Hriday Kunj is the Vinoba-Mire Kutir. The complex has been named after the people who have resided in this building.  Between 1918 and 1921 Vinoba Bhave resided in this house whom Gandhiji proudly called the model of  Satyagraha Movement . After Vinoba Bhave, Miraben lived here from 1925 to 1933. She was the daughter of a British rear-admiral, who moved to India and became involved in the country’s freedom struggle. Mirabehn was the name Gandhiji gave her and she joined him in the Ashram activities and lived a simple life here. The small cottage has two rooms, one washroom, and a kitchen reflecting the minimalist lifestyle of these notable personalities.

On the right-hand side of Vinoba-Mira Kutir is a large house known as Nandini. Nandini was used as a guest house for notable personalities who came to the ashram to meet Gandhi. Famous personalities like Rabindranath Tagore, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Reginald Reynolds, ‘Deenbandhu’ C.F. Andrews, Henry Polak as well as Maulana Abul Kalam Azad are known to have spent their time in the ashram right here. Nandini is not open for public tours.

Other important buildings in the Ashram

In addition to the above-mentioned buildings, the Sabarmati Ashram architecture also houses Udyog Mandir which was established by Gandhiji in 1918. This mandir stands for the self-reliance and dignity of the labour who were part of the mill strike in Ahmedabad. It was here that the message of ‘Freedom through Khadi’ was given out first. Unfortunately, the temple is not open for public tours. Another significant building in the ashram is the Upasana Mandir. Every morning and evening Gandhiji gave discourses on Bhagavad Gita here. The rich history of the Sabarmati Ashram makes you want to imagine how this frail man would sit and talk to a large gathering every single day.

How to get to the Ashram

The state of Gujarat is well-connected to nearby as well as faraway states in India. Hence, it is quite convenient to reach Ahmedabad. The city can be reached via flight, train and even a rented taxi.

The Ahmedabad Airport, officially known as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is the nearest airport to Sabarmati Ashram. Only 7 km from the city, one can rent a full-day car in Ahmedabad for a safer, faster commute.

The Ahmedabad Railway Station also known as the Kalupur Railway Station is efficiently connected with every major city in India. A convenient taxi service from from the Ahmedabad railway station can be easily hired at any time of the day to reach Sabarmati Ashram .

Today the importance of Sabarmati Ashram lies in the fact that this humble dwelling stands to guide and inspire countless others in their own battle against injustices. Sabarmati Ashram is an exceptional testimony of Gandhi’s love for the nation, his contribution to the freedom struggle and the non-violent ideology he followed his entire life. Each and every element in the Ashram moves you, inspires you to lead a life that is not bigger but meaningful and purposeful. You come out of this ashram feeling content. Gandhi continues to reside here, his legacy continues to fill every heart with only love and pride for a nation that he so valiantly fought for. 

The Sabarmati Ashram timings are the same for all days of the week. The ashram is open from 8.30 am to 6.30 pm every day . An extremely important monument for Gujarat tourism as well as Ahmedabad tourism , the Ashram does not have an entry fee. It is open to everyone who wants to know about India’s independence and Gandhi’s major role in it. 

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Last Updated on January 17, 2024 by blogadmin

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Sabarmati Ashram

• October 10, 2021
• Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
• Category: DPN Topics

Subject – History

Context – Sabarmati Ashram to get a ₹1,200 cr. revamp

• The Gujarat government has embarked upon an ambitious project to redevelop Mahatma Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram and expand it from its present five acres to approximately 55 acres.
• The redevelopment will involve restoring all heritage buildings that were built during the Mahatma’s time in 1917, relocating families that live there and bringing to life Gandhiji’s philosophy and message for those visiting the Ashram.
• The State government has emphatically held that the redevelopment project, also known as the Gandhi Ashram Memorial and Precinct Development Project, will be done in a manner that is respectful of the original ashram’s ethos as it will retain the values that Gandhiji preached — austerity, simplicity, and authenticity.
• The revamp project has been conceptualised by leading architect Bimal Patel, who is also involved in the revamping of the Central Vista project in the national capital.
• As per the details, the original Ashram was approximately 120 acres when it was first established in 1917. During Mahatma’s lifetime in the Ashram from 1917 to 1930, there were 63 buildings built within the Ashram’s area. Today, only 43 of the original buildings remain.

About the Ashram –

• Sabarmati Ashram (also known as Gandhi Ashram) is located in the Sabarmati suburb of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, adjoining the Ashram Road, on the banks of the River Sabarmati, 4 miles (6.4 km) from the town hall.
• This was one of the many residences of Mahatma Gandhi who lived at Sabarmati (Gujarat) and Sevagram (Wardha, Maharashtra) when he was not travelling across India or in prison.
• He lived in Sabarmati or Wardha for a total of twelve years with his wife Kasturba Gandhi and followers, including Vinoba Bhave.
• The Bhagavad Gita was recited here daily as part of the Ashram schedule.
• It was from here that Gandhi led the Dandi march also known as the Salt Satyagraha on 12 March 1930. In recognition of the significant influence that this march had on the Indian independence movement, the Indian government has established the ashram as a national monument.

• On his return from South Africa, Gandhi’s first Ashram in India was established in the Kochrab area of Ahmedabad on 25 May 1915.
• he wanted to do some experiments in living eg farming, animal husbandry, cow breeding, Khadi and related constructive activities, for which he was in search of this kind of barren land;
• mythologically, it was the ashram site of Dadhichi Rishi who had donated his bones for a righteous war;
• it is between a jail and a crematorium as he believed that a satyagrahi has to invariably go to either place.
• The Sabarmati Ashram (also known as Harijan Ashram) was home to Mohandas Gandhi from 1917 until 1930 and served as one of the main centres of the Indian freedom struggle.
• Originally called the Satyagraha Ashram, reflecting the movement toward passive resistance launched by the Mahatma, the Ashram became home to the ideology that set India free.
• Sabarmati Ashram named for the river on which it sits, was created with a dual mission. To serve as an institution that would carry on a search for truth and a platform to bring together a group of workers committed to non-violence who would help secure freedom for India.
• By conceiving such a vision Gandhi and his followers hoped to foster a new social construct of truth and non-violence that would help to revolutionize the existing pattern of like.
• While at the Ashram, Gandhi formed a school that focused on manual labour, agriculture, and literacy to advance his efforts for self-sufficiency.
• It was also from here on the 12 March 1930 that Gandhi launched the famous Dandi march 241 miles from the Ashram (with 78 companions) in protest of the British Salt Law, which taxed Indian salt in an effort to promote sales of British salt in India.
• This mass awakening filled the British jails with 60 000 freedom fighters. Later the government seized their property, Gandhi, in sympathy with them, responded by asking the Government to forfeit the Ashram.
• Then Government, however, did not oblige. He had by now already decided on 22 July 1933 to disband the Ashram, which later became asserted place after the detention of many freedom fighters, and then some local citizens decided to preserve it.
• On 12 March 1930 he vowed that he would not return to the Ashram until India won independence. Although this was won on 15 August 1947, when India was declared a free nation, Gandhi was assassinated in January 1948 and never returned.
• Over the years, the Ashram became home to the ideology that set India free. It aided countless other nations and people in their own battles against oppressive forces.

Present architecture of the Ashram –

• The ashram now has a museum, the Gandhi SmarakSangrahalaya .
• Nandini : This is an old ashram guest house where visitors from India and abroad are accommodated. It is situated on the right hand side of HridayaKunj.
• VinobaKutir : This cottage is named after Acharya Vinoba Bhave who stayed here. Today It is also known as Mira Kutir after Gandhiji’s disciple Mirabehn who later lived there, following Gandhi’s principles. She was the daughter of a British Rear-Admiral.
• Upasana Mandir : This is an open-air prayer ground, where after Prayers Gandhiji would refer to individual’s questions and as head of family would try to analyse and solve these queries. It is situated between HridayaKunj and MaganNivas.
• Magan Niwas : This hut used to be the home of the ashram manager, Maganlal Gandhi. Maganlal was the cousin of Gandhi who he called the soul of the ashram.

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Sabarmati Ashram

Sabarmati Ashram, standing on the bank of the river Sabarmati, is situated in the Ahmedabad district of Gujarat. Mahatma Gandhi, after his return from South Africa in 1915, selected this place for his ashram to experiment with farming, animal husbandry, cow breeding and khadi production. Sabarmati Ashram is located between a prison and a crematorium, and Gandhi believed that a Satyagrahi has invariably to go to either place. The Sabarmati Ashram, originally called the Satyagrahi Ashram, was home to Mahatma Gandhi between 1917 to 1930. The part of the ashram where Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi used to stay was named Hriday Kunj by Kakasaheb Kalelkar. During this period, Gandhi formed a school that focused on manual labour, agriculture, and literacy to enhance his efforts for self-reliance and sustainability. It served as one of the main centres of the Indian freedom movement. Mahatma Gandhi also launched the historic Dandi March from here on 12th March 1930. The Sabarmati Ashram proudly stands as a spectator of the invaluable teachings and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, and continues to inspire generations for a sustainable and self-reliant society.

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