GANDHI ASHRAM
Abode of an Apostle

Where to settle was a question before Gandhiji when he returned from South Africa. His selection of Ahmedabad was for three reasons. In his own words "being a Gujarati, I'll serve my country best through the use of Gujarati language. As Ahmedabad was the centre of handloom in early days, the work of spinning wheel (charkha) could be done in a better way, I believed. Being the capital of Gujarat its wealthy persons will also make larger contribution, I hoped." And in none of this he was disappointed during his sixteen years stay in Ahmedabad.

His first ashram was at Kochrab near Paldi of the present day Ahmedabad. It was a bungalow of his barrister friend Jivanlal Desai. This place had to be abandoned after two years in the wake of a plague epidemic. The choice now fell on a site on the bank of Sabarmati River, not far from saint Dadheechi's temple and in the vicinity of a Prision House; Laying down the objective of the Ashram, Gandhiji wrote: "To take training for the national service which is not contrary to universal wellbeing and constantly endeavouring for such national service is the aim of this Ashram."

Gradually few dwelling units were built and the Ashram soon started humming with activities. The units were simple in style but very functional. Gandhiji first stayed in the Vanatshala-a place where handlooms were installed-but later on moved to `Hridaykunj', so named by Kakasaheb kalelker as it was the pulse of the Ashram. This Spartan accomodation was to witness Gandhiji's evolution from Mohandas to Mahatma, who rose to be the Father of the Nation.

The first struggle that Gandhiji spearheaded from Sabarmati Ashram was that of textile mill workers. On the third day of his fast the mill-owners came to terms. The establishment of Textile labour Association was the far-reaching consequence of this encounter. The struggle also brought Vallabhbhai Patel, Shankerlal Banker and Ansuyaben Sarabhai as close associates of Gandhiji. Soon after there was Kheda satyagraha. The struggle was taken to the national arena when the British Government passed the Rowlatt Act - cutting the very roots of liberty.

What distinguished Gandhiji's struggle was its penetration into social spheres of life. His activities were not merely confined to political awakening but also targeted to social rejuvenation. His charkha and untouchability abolition campaign brought the majority of the deprived masses of India into the national mainstream. Through his writing in Young India and Navajivan he spelt nothing but sedition. The sedition for which he was arrested and tried in the famous Ahmedabad Trial-conducted in the present day Circuit House, opposite Raj Bhavan in Shahibaug. Here, on 18th March 1922, Gandhiji made a confession before Justice Broomfield, a statement that became a historic document of India's struggle for freedom. He confessed how he became a rebel from a loyalist. Pleading for the maximum penalty he lamented the fact that the British rulers couldn't see what they were perpetrating on India through their governance. Justice Broomfield, in his verdict, equated Gandhiji's action with that of Lokmanya Tilak. Sentencing gandhiji for six years imprisonment the judge wrote: " if in future the political climate of India settles and if the government decides to shorten this sentence and release you, I'll be the happiest person. "Vividly capturing the mood of the trial, the contour-graphic drawn by Ravishanker Raval adorns the Circuit House at Shahibaug.

In Yervada jail Gandhiji's health deteriorated and he was released in 1925. Returning to the Sabarmati Ashram he was soon occupied with his constructive activities. Publishing of his autobiography "My Experiments with Truth" with the help of Mahadevbhai and Miraben unravelled the strength of Bapu's character. During this time he also performed the Opening Ceremony of Gujarat Vidyapith - "an act of a rishi" in his words.

However, the most glorious chapter of Sabarmati Ashram is the way in which he bid farewell to it. Though sad and sacrificial in nature it galvanised the country into hitherto unknown sense of unity and national spirit. The moment arrived when the genesis of salt duties was unearthed. Directed by `his inner voice' Bapu gave a call to break the Salt law and embarked on a 240-mile march with his seventy-nine followers. On 12th March 1930 Bapu commenced on this trail setting nation ablaze with the spirit of defiance. Blessed were those who saw the master marching out of the Ashram with his spirit guided by divinity.