First letter to lord irwin

March 2, 1930

The significant letter from Mahatma Gandhi to Lord Irwin

The Event

Mahatma Gandhi

On March 2, 1930, Mahatma Gandhi penned a detailed letter to Lord Irwin, the Viceroy of India, declaring his intention to defy the oppressive salt laws imposed by the British on India.

The Letter from Mahatma Gandhi to Lord Irwin

On March 2, M K Gandhi wrote a letter to Edward Wood, also known as Lord Irwin, the then Viceroy of India. He discussed the pitiful conditions of India under British rule and announced his plan to initiate a Satyagraha to challenge the unfair salt laws.
The law restricted anyone except the British government from producing salt in India.
This was a clever political strategy as salt, being a basic necessity for everyone, resonated with all Indians.
The Salt Satyagraha was so well-publicised that it was covered by international media as well.
Gandhi's approach of non-violence and peaceful protest against injustice garnered support from various sectors and highlighted the Indian freedom struggle globally.
The non-violent protest against the powerful British Empire was appreciated for the bravery and determination of the Indians led by a 'frail' figure.
In the noteworthy letter, Gandhi addressed Irwin as ‘Dear Friend’. He highlighted the miserable state of Indians during that period and blamed the British for it.
He justified his stance under the heading, ‘And why do I regard the British rule as a curse?’
He clarified that he considered British rule over India as a curse, not the British people.
He assured that he would not resort to violence against any Englishman. He declared that he wouldn't harm anyone but would break the salt law on March 11, along with his followers.
The Viceroy did not respond directly but expressed his regret through his secretary that Gandhi would resort to breaking a law.
Gandhi started the Satyagraha from Sabarmati Ashram on March 12, 1930, with his followers, giving the Viceroy a day's notice.
Although initially there were 80 marchers, the procession grew to lakhs of people by the time it reached the coastal town of Dandi.
Leaders like Sarojini Naidu joined him en route. On April 5, 24 days after he started from his ashram, Gandhi reached Dandi and illegally made salt from the sea, followed by thousands of people.
Gandhi and many others were imprisoned.
This act made him a household name in the west, and he was even named the ‘Man of the Year’ by Times magazine in 1930.
Although the Salt Satyagraha did not secure any significant concessions for India from the government, it received considerable media coverage, and the British were forced to respond. Gandhi was released from prison in January 1931.
The Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed, marking the first meeting between Gandhi and Irwin as equals rather than as between a colonial master and a subject.

Also on this day 
1938: The demise of Chandra Kumar Agarwala, a renowned Assamese poet and journalist. 1949: The passing of politician and poet Sarojini Naidu.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the purpose of Mahatma Gandhi's letter to Lord Irwin?

The purpose of the letter was to inform Lord Irwin of Gandhi's intentions to break the British-imposed salt laws in India, highlighting the deplorable conditions of India under British rule.

What was the Salt Satyagraha?

The Salt Satyagraha was a non-violent protest against the British salt tax in colonial India, led by Mahatma Gandhi. It began with the Dandi March on March 12, 1930, and was a significant event in the Indian independence movement.

What was the outcome of the Salt Satyagraha?

While the Salt Satyagraha did not win major concessions from the British government, it gained significant media coverage and forced the British to respond. Gandhi was released from prison in January 1931 and the Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed.

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