Gandhiji started the Civil Disobedience Movement. On 31 January 1930, he sent a letter to Viceroy Irwin, stating eleven demands. The most stirring demand was to abolish salt tax. Salt is the commodity consumed by all, both rich and poor. It is one of the most essential item of food. The tax on salt and its monopoly over production revealed the oppressive face of British government. Mahatma Gandhi started his historic march from Sabarmati Ashram. On 6 April, he reached Dandi and violated the law, manufacturing salt by boiling sea water. This was the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Main features of the Civil Disobedience Movement are:
- First successful mass movement.
- People from all sections participated in the Movement.
- Women for the first time left their homes and joined the movement.
- For the first time the movement was launched with the goal of Purna Swaraj.
