Mahatma Gandhi and Sabarmati Ashram

The Sabarmati Ashram, closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi, stands as one of the most significant landmarks of India’s freedom struggle. Situated on the banks of the Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, this ashram served not merely as Gandhi’s residence but as the nerve centre of the Indian independence movement. It symbolised simplicity, truth, self-discipline, and communal harmony, embodying Gandhi’s vision for an ideal society based on non-violence and self-reliance.

Background and Establishment

Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in January 1915 after nearly two decades of political and social reform work. Upon his return, he sought to establish a base from which he could experiment with his ideas of Satyagraha, truth, and self-sufficient living. Initially, he founded the Kochrab Ashram in May 1915 in Ahmedabad. However, as the ashram expanded and the need for a more self-contained environment grew, Gandhi relocated it to the banks of the Sabarmati River in June 1917. The site was chosen deliberately for its symbolic location — between a jail and a crematorium — to remind the residents that a true Satyagrahi must be prepared for both imprisonment and death in the pursuit of truth.
The ashram covered an area of approximately 36 acres and housed a simple cluster of buildings made from local materials. Gandhi lived here until 1930, during which time the ashram became a hub for nationalistic activities and socio-political experiments.

Ideological Foundations and Daily Life

The Sabarmati Ashram was founded on principles of simplicity, self-sufficiency, and spiritual discipline. Every activity in the ashram reflected Gandhi’s core beliefs in truth (Satya) and non-violence (Ahimsa). Life in the ashram was governed by a strict routine, including communal prayers, manual labour, spinning of khadi, and the study of moral and social reform.
The ashram residents adhered to eleven vows or Ekadash Vrata, which included truth, non-violence, chastity, non-possession, control of the palate, fearlessness, non-stealing, removal of untouchability, bread labour, equality of religions, and the use of swadeshi goods. These principles aimed at cultivating discipline and moral integrity among its members.

Role in India’s Freedom Movement

Sabarmati Ashram became a cradle of nationalist awakening. From this location, Gandhi directed several of his major campaigns against British rule, including the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22) and the Khilafat Movement (1919–24). It was also the site where Gandhi strategised the famous Salt March (Dandi March) in 1930, marking the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
On 12 March 1930, Gandhi, along with 78 ashram followers, commenced the historic 241-mile march to Dandi to protest against the salt tax imposed by the British government. Before leaving, Gandhi declared that he would not return to the ashram until India attained independence. This statement gave the ashram an aura of solemnity and determination.
The ashram also served as a centre for social reform, promoting women’s empowerment, rural education, and the eradication of untouchability. Gandhi’s close associates and followers, including Vinoba Bhave, Mahadev Desai, and Mirabehn (Madeleine Slade), actively participated in ashram life and national service.

Architecture and Institutions within the Ashram

The architectural design of the Sabarmati Ashram was deliberately modest, reflecting Gandhi’s philosophy of minimalism. The main structures included:

• Hriday Kunj – Gandhi’s personal residence, where he lived with his wife Kasturba Gandhi. It was the heart of the ashram, containing his spinning wheel and writing desk.
• Nandini – The guest house that hosted visitors from India and abroad.
• Vinoba Kutir and Upasana Mandir – Venues for prayers, discourses, and spiritual reflection.
• Magan Niwas – The workshop for ashram industries, named after Maganlal Gandhi, one of Gandhi’s close relatives and co-workers.

The ashram also had a Goshala (cow shelter), a spinning workshop, and educational facilities for basic and vocational training. The emphasis was on manual work and character building rather than conventional schooling.

Legacy and Transformation

After the Salt March, the British authorities seized the ashram and froze its properties. Following India’s independence in 1947, the ashram was preserved as a national memorial to Mahatma Gandhi’s life and work. Today, it is managed by the Sabarmati Ashram Preservation and Memorial Trust, which maintains its buildings, artefacts, and archives.
The ashram houses the Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya, a museum established in 1963, which exhibits Gandhi’s personal belongings, letters, photographs, and manuscripts. The museum’s library contains thousands of books and documents related to Gandhi’s philosophy and India’s independence movement.
Sabarmati Ashram continues to serve as a place of inspiration for peace activists, scholars, and visitors from around the world. It stands as a reminder of Gandhi’s enduring message that moral strength and non-violent action can bring about social and political transformation.