TRANSVAAL MARCH

A young Indian lawyer Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi conceptualized the non-violent resistance against the tyranny in South Africa by defying the Transvaal Asiatic Ordinance of 1906. This Ordinance required- the Indians to register and submit themselves for physical examination, provide finger prints and carry registration certificates at all times. It was humiliating and discriminating to the Indians residing in the Transvaal. Further, the Transvaal Immigration Restrictions Act, 1907 limited the inter- provincial movement of the Indians in South Africa. In those days Indians were mostly living in the province of Natal of South Africa but they wanted access to the prosperous province of the Transvaal. Gandhiji experimented with his philosophy of Satyagraha in South Africa in three phases. The first phase started with the decision to defy the Asiatic Ordinance of the Transvaal and ended with the provisional settlement with General Smuts on 30 January, 1908. It extended in the second phase when General Smuts refused to repeal the Act. In the last phase, Indian men - women and indentured labourers as well as other workers joined the struggle for validation of Indian marriages and abolition of 3 tax. Finally, it culminated into the Great Historic Transvaal March and ended with General Smuts Gandhi agreement of 30 June, 1914. The Historic Transvaal March of approximately 35 miles from New Castle to Charlestown was planned to take the marchers into Transvaal and invite arrest. The training imparted in Tolstoy Farm proved of great use. The mode of life accepted by the satyagrahis on the Farm became an invaluable asset in the struggle. In fact, the education in Phoenix was preliminary part a preparation for the Satyagraha and rules applied to the families living in Phoenix Farm became truly purposeful. All were fully prepared when the agitation started, excepting those who were engaged in running the Farm as one of family member was kept aloof. The padyatra was an effective way to raise consciousness and build unity. Gandhiji himself led the first batch consisting of about 500 persons of whom 60 were women with their children, belonging to various Indian castes and communities. The fellow passive resisters faced great difficulties during the march although many local Indians helped the marchers in the route. Since the local

funds were not adequate to cover the overall expenses on the march, the prominent Indians viz Ratan Tata and Nizam of Hyderabad came forward and contributed a large amount in support of the struggle of Indians in Transvaal. All kind of support was also extended to Gandhiji by his local friends like Rustomjee alias Kakaji , Herman Kallenbach, Thampi Naidoo and H.S.L.Polak, etc. was in his maiden March. On the occasion of the Centenary of the Great Historic March, the National Archives of India under the aegis of Ministry of Culture has presented this archival exhibition wherein an attempt has been made to portray the experiment with passive resistance made by Gandhiji for the cause of Indians dignity and freedom. It also showcases the initial discontent of Indians in Transvaal, the details of the March and its reflection on the Indian freedom struggle. This exhibition aims to educate the visitors from all walks of society to understand Gandhijis philosophy of non-violence Satyagraha and the preeminent role played by the women during the Transvaal March by moving shoulder to shoulder with their male counterpart. The exhibition also makes an endeavour to create archival awareness among the masses through our rich archival heritage on the theme.

Landmarks of the Transvaal March

1913
15 September 16 September 2 October 10 October 13 October 17 October 24 October 28 October 30 October 31 October 2 November 3 November 4 November 6 November 7 November 8 November 9 November 18 December Pioneer party of passive resisters left Durban for Volksrust by train to cross border Parsee Rustomjee and other passive resisters were charged at Volksrust as prohibited Immigrants Herman Kallenbach and twelve women left Johannesburg for Maritzburg to court arrest Seven passive resisters detained at Volksrust on way to Charlestown P.K. Naidoo, Jiwan Premji and nine others went out hawking in Johannesburg to court arrest Gandhi ji requested indentured Indians to strike until Government promised repeal of 3 tax . Gandhiji wrote to Maganlal Gandhi that he proposed to lead 2,000 men into Transvaal The March began from Newcastle Gandhiji reached Charlestown with 200 men Gandhiji informed Secretary of Justice that if the surrendered Indians are not arrested, they would march into Transvaal Gandhiji and 1,500 passive resisters were stationed at Charlestown Gandhiji informed Reuter that he would be moving with 1,500 men into Transvaal 1,700 passive resisters started March from Newcastle Gandhiji led the Great March at 6.30 a.m. Gandhiji appeared in Volksrust court and released on fifty pound bail Gandhiji arrived at Standerton Gandhiji arrested at Teakworth around 3 a.m. near Greylingstad on Dundee warrant Gandhiji, Polak and Kallenbach were released at Pretoria on Solomon Commissions recommendation