Gandhi in South Africa
Content
7/15/2015
Mrunal SummaryNote: Gandhi in South Africa, Transvaal March
Mrunal http://mrunal.org
[World History] Gandhi in South Africa, Transvaal March,
Zulu War, Boer War, civil rights movement
Posted ByMrunalOn 01/04/2014 @ 10:00 am In IndianHistory | 2 Comments
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Gandhi in South Africa
Gandhi: 1890s till 1900s
Gandhi in Boer War (1899)
Gandhi in Zulu Wars (1906)
191314: The Peak of protests
Transvaal March 1913
Sugarcane Protests
December Enquiry
Evaluation of Gandhi in S.Africa
1. #1: Gandhi as an “Integrationist”
2. #2: Gandhi, the Feminist
3. #3: Gandhi the “Mahatma”
4. #4: Gandhi vs his Critiques
5. #5: Gandhi, the British Patriot
6. #6: Gandhi’s “KesareHind”
Gandhi in South Africa
Topic in news because Ramachandra Guha released a new book –Gandhi Before India.
Later EPW put a review article about this book.
And previously even PIB ran an article on Transvaal March (we saw that already)
But Since UPSC included world history in General studies Mains paper Ihence topic
becomes important what did Gandhi do before coming to India? How did he fight the
imperialist powers in South Africa?
Gandhi: 1890s till 1900s
http://mrunal.org/2014/04/worldhistorygandhisouthafricatransvaalmarchzuluwarboerwarcivilrightsmovement.html/print/
1/11
7/15/2015
Mrunal SummaryNote: Gandhi in South Africa, Transvaal March
1893: Gandhi Arrives in South Africa, to fight Dadabhai Abdulla’s case.
Indian businessmen admired him for his fluency in English, legal matters and Gujarati
background.
But Gandhi did not serve only those rich businessmen. He also fought cases for
indentured laborers mainly permit renewal type litigations.
Interestingly, he was the only Indian barrister practicing in Natal. Hence very busy with
work.
thrown out of a train from Durban to Pretoria, despite having a valid ticket to travel in
the first class.
1894 founded Natal India Congress and became its first Secretary.
1899 another Indian barrister Rahim Karim Khan arrived.
1893
Gandhi’s workload decreased, he starts spending more time reading about religion, politics.
authors
Henry
David
Thoreau
John
Ruskin
Ralf Waldo
How did they influence Gandhi?
concept of Civil Disobedience
“Unto his last” – ideas of simple living, community living. Work by hands
better than by machines. (same reflect in his “Hind Swaraj” later on).
http://mrunal.org/2014/04/worldhistorygandhisouthafricatransvaalmarchzuluwarboerwarcivilrightsmovement.html/print/
2/11
7/15/2015
Mrunal SummaryNote: Gandhi in South Africa, Transvaal March
Emerson
concept of Individualism
Tolstoy
The kingdom of God is within you.
Gandhi in Boer War (1899)
Transvaal was rich in gold, so British plotted to overthrow Boer government.
This led to the Boer War (1899)=>Boers were defeated but they continued to live here.
During Boer war, Gandhi served from British side, as an assistant superintendent of the
Indian volunteer stretcherbearer corps.
Gandhi earned Boer war medal for his services.
He wrote in the autobiography:
When the war was declared, my personal sympathies were all with the Boers, but my loyalty to
the British rule drove me to participation with the British in that war. I felt that, if I demanded
rights as a British citizen, it was also my duty, as such to participate in the defence of the British
Empire. so I collected together as many comrades as possible, and with very great difficulty got
their services accepted as an ambulance corps.
http://mrunal.org/2014/04/worldhistorygandhisouthafricatransvaalmarchzuluwarboerwarcivilrightsmovement.html/print/
3/11
7/15/2015
Mrunal SummaryNote: Gandhi in South Africa, Transvaal March
Phoenix Farm
1904: Inspired by Tolstoy, Gandhi setups Phoenix farm. There he begins treating all
ailments and preaching and writing about hygiene, sanitation, good diet, natural cures, and
sexual abstinence. This sheds an important light on the origin of Gandhi Ashrams in India.
1904: starts printing newspaper “Indian Opinion” from his farm.
Gandhi in Zulu Wars (1906)
British attacked Zulu population and made them serve as labour in the diamond mines
across Southern Africa.
In 1906, the Zulu Rebellion broke out in Natal province of South Africa
Zulus demanded land rights and abolition of heavy taxes.
However, the whites declared war against the Zulus.
In this Zulu war/rebellion, Gandhi (Again) served from British side, as the officer in
charge of the Indian volunteer ambulance corps and earned Zulu War Medal for his
services.
Fight against Registration Act
A new law required Indians to carry registration certificates all the time. Gandhi
1906
begins first passive resistance campaign / Satyagraha. He asks people to burn their
07
certificates.
1908 Gandhi arrested for this campaign against registration act
1909 Gandhi travels to London, finally Transvaal registration act repealed.
191314: The Peak of protests
http://mrunal.org/2014/04/worldhistorygandhisouthafricatransvaalmarchzuluwarboerwarcivilrightsmovement.html/print/
4/11
7/15/2015
Mrunal SummaryNote: Gandhi in South Africa, Transvaal March
March
1913
April
1913
May
1913
June
1913
Sep
1913
Oct
1913
Supreme Court in Cape Town nullified all nonChristian marriages, and
declared all Indian wives as mistress and their kids as bastards.
Gandhi immediately demanded a change in the law, declaring that declaring
that “Any nation that fails to protect the honour of its women, any individual
who fails to protect the honour of his wife is considered lower in level than a
brute”.
Kasturba spearheaded a passive resistance. Women volunteered to go to jail on
their own initiative.
South African Union’s PM General Smuts introduced even harsher immigration bill.
The bill included an ongoing provision for the £3 poll tax
Gandhi demands poll tax and marriage issues be settled together. All Indians and
Transvaal and Natal rally up behind him. But the immigration bill soon passed.
King gives assent to bill and it became an “Act”.
Gandhi launches the “passive resistance” courts arrest along with his followers
including women.
5000 Indian coal miners of northern Natal go on strike. Gandhi and his coworkers
were instrumental in encouraging the strike.
The coal miners’ strike provided the committed mass of supporters to Gandhi.
http://mrunal.org/2014/04/worldhistorygandhisouthafricatransvaalmarchzuluwarboerwarcivilrightsmovement.html/print/
5/11
7/15/2015
Mrunal SummaryNote: Gandhi in South Africa, Transvaal March
His movement gains attention of Indian press, Gandhi starts receiving funds from
Gokhale, Aurobindo Ghosh and Wealthy Indians, even from princely states of India.
This money helped him to launch a long Transaaval march arranging food and supplies
for those protestors and their families.
Transvaal March 1913
Along with 2000 Natal coal miners, Gandhi began March towards Transvaal. At that time,
crossing border from Natal to Transvaal required Permit But they crossed border without
permit.
Gen. Smuts downplayed this march thinking it’d soon collapse. (Just like how Lord Irwin
thought Dandi Salt March would be an #EPICFAIL).
But since the protest did not collapse, General Smuts ordered police to arrest coal miners.
Miners were sent to hard labour camps. Gandhi was thrown into Jail again.
SA2: Transvaal March
Q. Discuss the events leading to Transvaal March and how they helped transforming
Gandhi as a mass leader? (10 marks | 200 words)
Topic important because completed 100 years in 2013.
First brainstorm for ideas
1. What was the problem of Indians in S.Africa?
a. registration
b. migration difficult
c. marriage invalid
2. Gen. Smut wasn’t listening. Transval march=>Gen.Smut Listened.
3. If he “transformed” as mass leader then in what wisdom did he gain during Transval
March?
Now let’s frame the answer
Events Leading Transvaal March:
Since the early years of his stay in S.Africa, Gandhi had tried Moderate methods of
prayers and petition to oppose the discriminating laws against Indians, but often he failed.
1906: A legislation in Transvaal, required the Indians to register themselves and carry
registration certificates at all times.
Gandhi initiated passive resistance or “satyagraha” and called the Indians to burn their
certificates in public.
Later, the authorities even imposed restriction on the interprovincial movement of
Indians, and declared their Hindu marriages legally invalid.
Finally in 1913, Gandhi launched a March from Natal to Transvaal, crossing the border
illegally. These Marchers were sent to jail and treated brutally. But the struggle paid off,
and under Gen.SmutGandhi agreement, most of their demands were accepted.
http://mrunal.org/2014/04/worldhistorygandhisouthafricatransvaalmarchzuluwarboerwarcivilrightsmovement.html/print/
6/11
7/15/2015
Mrunal SummaryNote: Gandhi in South Africa, Transvaal March
Gandhi’s transformation
Tolstoy farm and Phoenix farm were precursor to Gandhi’s ashrams in India.
He learned that civil disobedience and passive resistance were more effective than
traditional moderate methods of prayers and petition.
Gained experienced of leading people from both genders, different religions, caste and
social classes while facing resistance from both enemy and followers.
This experience made him bold enough to take hard decisions even at the peak of the
enthusiasm of the followers e.g Calling off the NCM due to chaurichaura incident.
~209 words. Anyways, back to the topic:
Sugarcane Protests
Time: midNovember 1913, after Arrest of Gandhi.
Place: Coastal areas of Natal, Sugar plantations.
Now here also, Indian laborers went on strike and began marching towards towns. This
protest was wholly selforganised, they were inspired from the news of Transvaal March
and Gandhi’s arrest.
Although they called Gandhi their “Raja” (king!) but methods were not always
‘Gandhian’.
Often these angry strikers would burnt plantations, attack policemen with knives, sticks
and stones. Many injured and died.
The Indian laborers in Durban also began similar protests.
Overall, their demands were:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Abolish poll tax
Right to free travel without permit.
Voting rights.
Release Gandhi from jail
http://mrunal.org/2014/04/worldhistorygandhisouthafricatransvaalmarchzuluwarboerwarcivilrightsmovement.html/print/
7/11
7/15/2015
Mrunal SummaryNote: Gandhi in South Africa, Transvaal March
As the common sense suggests General Smuts refused and called in the army to “teach” them a
lesson.
December Inquiry
Protest gains momentum. Large amount of donations from India.
Even Viceroy Hardinge (India) criticized the South African government.
December Under pressure, General Smuts orders an enquiry commission. Himself wrote
1913
“You can’t put twenty thousand Indians into jail”.
March
Commission report says following:
1914
1.
2.
3.
4.
Indian laborers are important for South African economy
Give them permit for three years (instead of asking them to renew it every year.)
All Indian marriage be legally recognized.
Abolish £3 poll tax
June 1914 Government enacted the law to implement this report.
July 1914 Gandhi leaves for England. and from there, to India.
General Smut quotes
“Gandhi approached me on a number of small administrative points, some of which I could
meet him on, and as a result, the saint has left our shores – I sincerely hope for ever.”
Evaluation of Gandhi in S.Africa
#1: Gandhi as an “Integrationist”
During South African struggle, Gandhi took help of Hindus, Muslims, Christian, Jews,
Tamils, Parsi and even Chinese immigrants.
He sought the best in all, believed people of different backgrounds can living together in a
united spirit.
This experience made him believe that all faiths can lead to salvation.
Gandhi was thus different than his contemporaries.
Indian Congress embraced all different races and religions but in the beginning Congress
was very elitistupper caste male dominated body.
Although Gokhale and Dadabhai Naoroji were free of sectarian and caste bias, but they
lived very privileged life.
Contrary to them, Gandhi embraced a wide range of castes, races, religions both male and
female, and integrated them into the struggle in South Africa he united all Asians and
Africans, and not just the Indians.
#2: Gandhi, the Feminist
The idea of a woman going to jail had been unthinkable for male, uppercaste Indian
nationalists.
But with Gandhi’s passive resistance in S.Africa, this became a common phenomenon, he
http://mrunal.org/2014/04/worldhistorygandhisouthafricatransvaalmarchzuluwarboerwarcivilrightsmovement.html/print/
8/11
7/15/2015
Mrunal SummaryNote: Gandhi in South Africa, Transvaal March
asked women to join the protests and court arrests. [was influenced by feminist Millie
Polak]
Thus, Gandhi played a catalyst in the entry of Indian women in political protests and
freedom struggle.
#3: Gandhi the “Mahatma”
Gandhi’s long time friend Pranjivan Mehta used this title, in a letter to GK Gokhale
(1912)
He wrote, “Mahatma Gandhi was one of those rare men who are occasionally born to
elevate humanity in the land of their birth”
Guha compares the GandhiMehta relationship to that of Marx and Engels.
#4: Gandhi vs his Critiques
During the Indian freedom struggle, we know that many revolutionaries and even
Congress leaders did not fully approve Gandhian methods.
Similarly even in S.Africa, Gandhi faced critiques main among them was a Tamil
Journalist PS Aiyar.
Gandhi
PS Aiyar
Indian should be given right to free
not just Transvaal, Indian should get right to
movement within Transvaal region without
free movement throughout South Africa.
requiring any permits.
was against the £3 poll tax on Indian
laborers. But he wanted to protest in
“Gradual Stages”:
No, we should immediately launch a mass
First we send petition to Government,
movement to pressurize the government
then mass meeting,
into abolishing the tax.
then petition to British parliament
less talking and more “doing”
if still no solution then we refuse to
pay this tax.
thus in the later phase of the movement, the bad relation between Gandhi and Aiyer radicalized
the movement with poors on Aiyar’s side and white / blue collar Indians on Gandhi’s side.
#5: Gandhi, the British Patriot
1. Until the 1920s, Gandhi was an ardent British patriot
2. He felt the British Empire embodied the principles of equality and liberty that he believed
in.
3. He considered General Smuts’ racist policies in South Africa as an aberration, rather than
a defining trait of the British Empire.
4. Gandhi saw British Raj as benevolent rather than tyrannical; despite its flaws, British Raj
had been good for India (compared to the rule by native princes), and that the ideals of the
British constitution merited the loyalty of all British subjects across the globe, white,
black and Indian alike.
http://mrunal.org/2014/04/worldhistorygandhisouthafricatransvaalmarchzuluwarboerwarcivilrightsmovement.html/print/
9/11
7/15/2015
Mrunal SummaryNote: Gandhi in South Africa, Transvaal March
5. Gandhi even declared that he and his fellow Indians were “proud to be under the British
Crown, and England will prove India’s deliverer.”
6. Gandhi participated in Boer and Zulu wars hoping it’d earn the trust of British authorities
that Indians and Asians were indeed loyal subjects of his majesty, and they’ll be treated
equally in South Africa.
7. Some historians even argue, Gandhi participated in these wars with hope that it’d end the
struggle in South Africa and help him return India.
#6: Gandhi’s “KesareHind”
1915: Gandhi returned to India, Lord Hardinge awarded KesareHind medal for his services in
ambulance corps during South Africa.
1920: During Khilafat movement, Gandhi returned these medals to Viceroy Chelmsford and
wrote,
It is not without a pang that I return the KaisariHind gold medal granted to me by your
predecessor (Lord Hardinge) for my humanitarian work in South Africa, the Zulu War
medal granted in South Africa for my services as officer in charge of the Indian volunteer
ambulance corps in 1906 and the Boer War medal for my services as assistant
superintendent of the Indian volunteer stretcherbearer corps during the Boer War of
18991900.
I venture to return these medals in pursuance of the scheme of noncooperation
inaugurated today in connection with the Khilafat movement. Valuable as these honours
have been to me, I cannot wear them with an easy conscience so long as my Mussalman
countrymen have to labour under a wrong done to their religious sentiment.
Events that have happened during the past one month have confirmed me in the opinion
that the Imperial Government have acted in the Khilafat matter in an unscrupulous,
immoral and unjust manner and have been moving from wrong to wrong in order to
defend their immorality. I can retain neither respect nor affection for such a Government.
Mrunal comments: For MCQs, keep in mind Gandhi earned these medals for work in Zulu and
Boer wars (and not WW1), and returned these medals for NCM in connection with Khilafat
movement specifically. (As evident from his own letter above.) Because at some pages in
Wikipedia and other books they claim Gandhi got this medal for service in WW1 and returned
them for Jaliawalan massacre = that’s incorrect.
Overall:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Inclusion of Women, all races and religions = must for success in a political struggle.
His Ashrams as a meeting and training ground for all of them.
Passive resistance, civil disobedience = more successful than violent methods.
There will be critiques and setbacks but perseverance will lead to success.
Made General Smuts to abolish poll tax, legally recognize Indian marriage, and give
lengthier permits.
6. Because of his achievements in South Africa, Gandhi could return to India as an Indian
national hero with an established reputation elicit support from Congress, other leaders
and Indian people.
7. Until 1920s, a British patriot, as seen from his participation in Zulu wars and Boer Wars.
http://mrunal.org/2014/04/worldhistorygandhisouthafricatransvaalmarchzuluwarboerwarcivilrightsmovement.html/print/
10/11
7/15/2015
Mrunal SummaryNote: Gandhi in South Africa, Transvaal March
But later disillusioned by the British raj in India.
Now Ramchandra Guha is planning to write next book about Gandhi’s work in India from
191548.
Mock Questions (200 words each)
1. “In South Africa, Gandhi fought against policies of General Smuts and not against the
British empire.“ comment.
2. Discuss in brief South Africa as the experiment lab of Gandhian methods.
3. Write a note on how South Africa turned Mohandas into Mahatma.
4. Why did Gandhi fought against the colonial powers in South Africa? Evaluate his
achievements and failures therein.
Article printed from Mrunal: http://mrunal.org
URL to article: http://mrunal.org/2014/04/worldhistorygandhisouthafricatransvaal
marchzuluwarboerwarcivilrightsmovement.html
Copyright © 2014 Mrunal. All rights reserved.
http://mrunal.org/2014/04/worldhistorygandhisouthafricatransvaalmarchzuluwarboerwarcivilrightsmovement.html/print/
11/11
Mrunal SummaryNote: Gandhi in South Africa, Transvaal March
Mrunal http://mrunal.org
[World History] Gandhi in South Africa, Transvaal March,
Zulu War, Boer War, civil rights movement
Posted ByMrunalOn 01/04/2014 @ 10:00 am In IndianHistory | 2 Comments
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Gandhi in South Africa
Gandhi: 1890s till 1900s
Gandhi in Boer War (1899)
Gandhi in Zulu Wars (1906)
191314: The Peak of protests
Transvaal March 1913
Sugarcane Protests
December Enquiry
Evaluation of Gandhi in S.Africa
1. #1: Gandhi as an “Integrationist”
2. #2: Gandhi, the Feminist
3. #3: Gandhi the “Mahatma”
4. #4: Gandhi vs his Critiques
5. #5: Gandhi, the British Patriot
6. #6: Gandhi’s “KesareHind”
Gandhi in South Africa
Topic in news because Ramachandra Guha released a new book –Gandhi Before India.
Later EPW put a review article about this book.
And previously even PIB ran an article on Transvaal March (we saw that already)
But Since UPSC included world history in General studies Mains paper Ihence topic
becomes important what did Gandhi do before coming to India? How did he fight the
imperialist powers in South Africa?
Gandhi: 1890s till 1900s
http://mrunal.org/2014/04/worldhistorygandhisouthafricatransvaalmarchzuluwarboerwarcivilrightsmovement.html/print/
1/11
7/15/2015
Mrunal SummaryNote: Gandhi in South Africa, Transvaal March
1893: Gandhi Arrives in South Africa, to fight Dadabhai Abdulla’s case.
Indian businessmen admired him for his fluency in English, legal matters and Gujarati
background.
But Gandhi did not serve only those rich businessmen. He also fought cases for
indentured laborers mainly permit renewal type litigations.
Interestingly, he was the only Indian barrister practicing in Natal. Hence very busy with
work.
thrown out of a train from Durban to Pretoria, despite having a valid ticket to travel in
the first class.
1894 founded Natal India Congress and became its first Secretary.
1899 another Indian barrister Rahim Karim Khan arrived.
1893
Gandhi’s workload decreased, he starts spending more time reading about religion, politics.
authors
Henry
David
Thoreau
John
Ruskin
Ralf Waldo
How did they influence Gandhi?
concept of Civil Disobedience
“Unto his last” – ideas of simple living, community living. Work by hands
better than by machines. (same reflect in his “Hind Swaraj” later on).
http://mrunal.org/2014/04/worldhistorygandhisouthafricatransvaalmarchzuluwarboerwarcivilrightsmovement.html/print/
2/11
7/15/2015
Mrunal SummaryNote: Gandhi in South Africa, Transvaal March
Emerson
concept of Individualism
Tolstoy
The kingdom of God is within you.
Gandhi in Boer War (1899)
Transvaal was rich in gold, so British plotted to overthrow Boer government.
This led to the Boer War (1899)=>Boers were defeated but they continued to live here.
During Boer war, Gandhi served from British side, as an assistant superintendent of the
Indian volunteer stretcherbearer corps.
Gandhi earned Boer war medal for his services.
He wrote in the autobiography:
When the war was declared, my personal sympathies were all with the Boers, but my loyalty to
the British rule drove me to participation with the British in that war. I felt that, if I demanded
rights as a British citizen, it was also my duty, as such to participate in the defence of the British
Empire. so I collected together as many comrades as possible, and with very great difficulty got
their services accepted as an ambulance corps.
http://mrunal.org/2014/04/worldhistorygandhisouthafricatransvaalmarchzuluwarboerwarcivilrightsmovement.html/print/
3/11
7/15/2015
Mrunal SummaryNote: Gandhi in South Africa, Transvaal March
Phoenix Farm
1904: Inspired by Tolstoy, Gandhi setups Phoenix farm. There he begins treating all
ailments and preaching and writing about hygiene, sanitation, good diet, natural cures, and
sexual abstinence. This sheds an important light on the origin of Gandhi Ashrams in India.
1904: starts printing newspaper “Indian Opinion” from his farm.
Gandhi in Zulu Wars (1906)
British attacked Zulu population and made them serve as labour in the diamond mines
across Southern Africa.
In 1906, the Zulu Rebellion broke out in Natal province of South Africa
Zulus demanded land rights and abolition of heavy taxes.
However, the whites declared war against the Zulus.
In this Zulu war/rebellion, Gandhi (Again) served from British side, as the officer in
charge of the Indian volunteer ambulance corps and earned Zulu War Medal for his
services.
Fight against Registration Act
A new law required Indians to carry registration certificates all the time. Gandhi
1906
begins first passive resistance campaign / Satyagraha. He asks people to burn their
07
certificates.
1908 Gandhi arrested for this campaign against registration act
1909 Gandhi travels to London, finally Transvaal registration act repealed.
191314: The Peak of protests
http://mrunal.org/2014/04/worldhistorygandhisouthafricatransvaalmarchzuluwarboerwarcivilrightsmovement.html/print/
4/11
7/15/2015
Mrunal SummaryNote: Gandhi in South Africa, Transvaal March
March
1913
April
1913
May
1913
June
1913
Sep
1913
Oct
1913
Supreme Court in Cape Town nullified all nonChristian marriages, and
declared all Indian wives as mistress and their kids as bastards.
Gandhi immediately demanded a change in the law, declaring that declaring
that “Any nation that fails to protect the honour of its women, any individual
who fails to protect the honour of his wife is considered lower in level than a
brute”.
Kasturba spearheaded a passive resistance. Women volunteered to go to jail on
their own initiative.
South African Union’s PM General Smuts introduced even harsher immigration bill.
The bill included an ongoing provision for the £3 poll tax
Gandhi demands poll tax and marriage issues be settled together. All Indians and
Transvaal and Natal rally up behind him. But the immigration bill soon passed.
King gives assent to bill and it became an “Act”.
Gandhi launches the “passive resistance” courts arrest along with his followers
including women.
5000 Indian coal miners of northern Natal go on strike. Gandhi and his coworkers
were instrumental in encouraging the strike.
The coal miners’ strike provided the committed mass of supporters to Gandhi.
http://mrunal.org/2014/04/worldhistorygandhisouthafricatransvaalmarchzuluwarboerwarcivilrightsmovement.html/print/
5/11
7/15/2015
Mrunal SummaryNote: Gandhi in South Africa, Transvaal March
His movement gains attention of Indian press, Gandhi starts receiving funds from
Gokhale, Aurobindo Ghosh and Wealthy Indians, even from princely states of India.
This money helped him to launch a long Transaaval march arranging food and supplies
for those protestors and their families.
Transvaal March 1913
Along with 2000 Natal coal miners, Gandhi began March towards Transvaal. At that time,
crossing border from Natal to Transvaal required Permit But they crossed border without
permit.
Gen. Smuts downplayed this march thinking it’d soon collapse. (Just like how Lord Irwin
thought Dandi Salt March would be an #EPICFAIL).
But since the protest did not collapse, General Smuts ordered police to arrest coal miners.
Miners were sent to hard labour camps. Gandhi was thrown into Jail again.
SA2: Transvaal March
Q. Discuss the events leading to Transvaal March and how they helped transforming
Gandhi as a mass leader? (10 marks | 200 words)
Topic important because completed 100 years in 2013.
First brainstorm for ideas
1. What was the problem of Indians in S.Africa?
a. registration
b. migration difficult
c. marriage invalid
2. Gen. Smut wasn’t listening. Transval march=>Gen.Smut Listened.
3. If he “transformed” as mass leader then in what wisdom did he gain during Transval
March?
Now let’s frame the answer
Events Leading Transvaal March:
Since the early years of his stay in S.Africa, Gandhi had tried Moderate methods of
prayers and petition to oppose the discriminating laws against Indians, but often he failed.
1906: A legislation in Transvaal, required the Indians to register themselves and carry
registration certificates at all times.
Gandhi initiated passive resistance or “satyagraha” and called the Indians to burn their
certificates in public.
Later, the authorities even imposed restriction on the interprovincial movement of
Indians, and declared their Hindu marriages legally invalid.
Finally in 1913, Gandhi launched a March from Natal to Transvaal, crossing the border
illegally. These Marchers were sent to jail and treated brutally. But the struggle paid off,
and under Gen.SmutGandhi agreement, most of their demands were accepted.
http://mrunal.org/2014/04/worldhistorygandhisouthafricatransvaalmarchzuluwarboerwarcivilrightsmovement.html/print/
6/11
7/15/2015
Mrunal SummaryNote: Gandhi in South Africa, Transvaal March
Gandhi’s transformation
Tolstoy farm and Phoenix farm were precursor to Gandhi’s ashrams in India.
He learned that civil disobedience and passive resistance were more effective than
traditional moderate methods of prayers and petition.
Gained experienced of leading people from both genders, different religions, caste and
social classes while facing resistance from both enemy and followers.
This experience made him bold enough to take hard decisions even at the peak of the
enthusiasm of the followers e.g Calling off the NCM due to chaurichaura incident.
~209 words. Anyways, back to the topic:
Sugarcane Protests
Time: midNovember 1913, after Arrest of Gandhi.
Place: Coastal areas of Natal, Sugar plantations.
Now here also, Indian laborers went on strike and began marching towards towns. This
protest was wholly selforganised, they were inspired from the news of Transvaal March
and Gandhi’s arrest.
Although they called Gandhi their “Raja” (king!) but methods were not always
‘Gandhian’.
Often these angry strikers would burnt plantations, attack policemen with knives, sticks
and stones. Many injured and died.
The Indian laborers in Durban also began similar protests.
Overall, their demands were:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Abolish poll tax
Right to free travel without permit.
Voting rights.
Release Gandhi from jail
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Mrunal SummaryNote: Gandhi in South Africa, Transvaal March
As the common sense suggests General Smuts refused and called in the army to “teach” them a
lesson.
December Inquiry
Protest gains momentum. Large amount of donations from India.
Even Viceroy Hardinge (India) criticized the South African government.
December Under pressure, General Smuts orders an enquiry commission. Himself wrote
1913
“You can’t put twenty thousand Indians into jail”.
March
Commission report says following:
1914
1.
2.
3.
4.
Indian laborers are important for South African economy
Give them permit for three years (instead of asking them to renew it every year.)
All Indian marriage be legally recognized.
Abolish £3 poll tax
June 1914 Government enacted the law to implement this report.
July 1914 Gandhi leaves for England. and from there, to India.
General Smut quotes
“Gandhi approached me on a number of small administrative points, some of which I could
meet him on, and as a result, the saint has left our shores – I sincerely hope for ever.”
Evaluation of Gandhi in S.Africa
#1: Gandhi as an “Integrationist”
During South African struggle, Gandhi took help of Hindus, Muslims, Christian, Jews,
Tamils, Parsi and even Chinese immigrants.
He sought the best in all, believed people of different backgrounds can living together in a
united spirit.
This experience made him believe that all faiths can lead to salvation.
Gandhi was thus different than his contemporaries.
Indian Congress embraced all different races and religions but in the beginning Congress
was very elitistupper caste male dominated body.
Although Gokhale and Dadabhai Naoroji were free of sectarian and caste bias, but they
lived very privileged life.
Contrary to them, Gandhi embraced a wide range of castes, races, religions both male and
female, and integrated them into the struggle in South Africa he united all Asians and
Africans, and not just the Indians.
#2: Gandhi, the Feminist
The idea of a woman going to jail had been unthinkable for male, uppercaste Indian
nationalists.
But with Gandhi’s passive resistance in S.Africa, this became a common phenomenon, he
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asked women to join the protests and court arrests. [was influenced by feminist Millie
Polak]
Thus, Gandhi played a catalyst in the entry of Indian women in political protests and
freedom struggle.
#3: Gandhi the “Mahatma”
Gandhi’s long time friend Pranjivan Mehta used this title, in a letter to GK Gokhale
(1912)
He wrote, “Mahatma Gandhi was one of those rare men who are occasionally born to
elevate humanity in the land of their birth”
Guha compares the GandhiMehta relationship to that of Marx and Engels.
#4: Gandhi vs his Critiques
During the Indian freedom struggle, we know that many revolutionaries and even
Congress leaders did not fully approve Gandhian methods.
Similarly even in S.Africa, Gandhi faced critiques main among them was a Tamil
Journalist PS Aiyar.
Gandhi
PS Aiyar
Indian should be given right to free
not just Transvaal, Indian should get right to
movement within Transvaal region without
free movement throughout South Africa.
requiring any permits.
was against the £3 poll tax on Indian
laborers. But he wanted to protest in
“Gradual Stages”:
No, we should immediately launch a mass
First we send petition to Government,
movement to pressurize the government
then mass meeting,
into abolishing the tax.
then petition to British parliament
less talking and more “doing”
if still no solution then we refuse to
pay this tax.
thus in the later phase of the movement, the bad relation between Gandhi and Aiyer radicalized
the movement with poors on Aiyar’s side and white / blue collar Indians on Gandhi’s side.
#5: Gandhi, the British Patriot
1. Until the 1920s, Gandhi was an ardent British patriot
2. He felt the British Empire embodied the principles of equality and liberty that he believed
in.
3. He considered General Smuts’ racist policies in South Africa as an aberration, rather than
a defining trait of the British Empire.
4. Gandhi saw British Raj as benevolent rather than tyrannical; despite its flaws, British Raj
had been good for India (compared to the rule by native princes), and that the ideals of the
British constitution merited the loyalty of all British subjects across the globe, white,
black and Indian alike.
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Mrunal SummaryNote: Gandhi in South Africa, Transvaal March
5. Gandhi even declared that he and his fellow Indians were “proud to be under the British
Crown, and England will prove India’s deliverer.”
6. Gandhi participated in Boer and Zulu wars hoping it’d earn the trust of British authorities
that Indians and Asians were indeed loyal subjects of his majesty, and they’ll be treated
equally in South Africa.
7. Some historians even argue, Gandhi participated in these wars with hope that it’d end the
struggle in South Africa and help him return India.
#6: Gandhi’s “KesareHind”
1915: Gandhi returned to India, Lord Hardinge awarded KesareHind medal for his services in
ambulance corps during South Africa.
1920: During Khilafat movement, Gandhi returned these medals to Viceroy Chelmsford and
wrote,
It is not without a pang that I return the KaisariHind gold medal granted to me by your
predecessor (Lord Hardinge) for my humanitarian work in South Africa, the Zulu War
medal granted in South Africa for my services as officer in charge of the Indian volunteer
ambulance corps in 1906 and the Boer War medal for my services as assistant
superintendent of the Indian volunteer stretcherbearer corps during the Boer War of
18991900.
I venture to return these medals in pursuance of the scheme of noncooperation
inaugurated today in connection with the Khilafat movement. Valuable as these honours
have been to me, I cannot wear them with an easy conscience so long as my Mussalman
countrymen have to labour under a wrong done to their religious sentiment.
Events that have happened during the past one month have confirmed me in the opinion
that the Imperial Government have acted in the Khilafat matter in an unscrupulous,
immoral and unjust manner and have been moving from wrong to wrong in order to
defend their immorality. I can retain neither respect nor affection for such a Government.
Mrunal comments: For MCQs, keep in mind Gandhi earned these medals for work in Zulu and
Boer wars (and not WW1), and returned these medals for NCM in connection with Khilafat
movement specifically. (As evident from his own letter above.) Because at some pages in
Wikipedia and other books they claim Gandhi got this medal for service in WW1 and returned
them for Jaliawalan massacre = that’s incorrect.
Overall:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Inclusion of Women, all races and religions = must for success in a political struggle.
His Ashrams as a meeting and training ground for all of them.
Passive resistance, civil disobedience = more successful than violent methods.
There will be critiques and setbacks but perseverance will lead to success.
Made General Smuts to abolish poll tax, legally recognize Indian marriage, and give
lengthier permits.
6. Because of his achievements in South Africa, Gandhi could return to India as an Indian
national hero with an established reputation elicit support from Congress, other leaders
and Indian people.
7. Until 1920s, a British patriot, as seen from his participation in Zulu wars and Boer Wars.
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But later disillusioned by the British raj in India.
Now Ramchandra Guha is planning to write next book about Gandhi’s work in India from
191548.
Mock Questions (200 words each)
1. “In South Africa, Gandhi fought against policies of General Smuts and not against the
British empire.“ comment.
2. Discuss in brief South Africa as the experiment lab of Gandhian methods.
3. Write a note on how South Africa turned Mohandas into Mahatma.
4. Why did Gandhi fought against the colonial powers in South Africa? Evaluate his
achievements and failures therein.
Article printed from Mrunal: http://mrunal.org
URL to article: http://mrunal.org/2014/04/worldhistorygandhisouthafricatransvaal
marchzuluwarboerwarcivilrightsmovement.html
Copyright © 2014 Mrunal. All rights reserved.
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