Sabarmati Ashram
The Sabarmati Ashram opened its doors in 1917 on the banks of the River Sabarmati. Mahatma Gandhi moved there with his wife Kasturba and a small group of followers. They lived among simple huts that reflected their commitment to manual labor and self-sufficiency. The ashram became a place where daily life included reciting the Bhagavad Gita as part of the schedule. A tertiary school formed within these grounds focused on agriculture, literacy, and hard work. This educational model aimed to advance India's independence through practical skills rather than theory alone. Vinoba Bhave joined the community during these early years to study under Gandhi's guidance.
On the 12th of March 1930, Gandhi led a march from this location toward the coastal village of Dandi. He walked 241 miles alongside 78 companions to protest British Salt Laws. These laws taxed Indian salt heavily while promoting sales of British salt across the region. The march ended when Gandhi boiled salty mud from seawater to create illegal salt. This act inspired hundreds of thousands of people to join similar protests across India. The British Raj responded by imprisoning approximately 60,000 individuals over three weeks following the event. Afterward, the government seized the ashram and refused to return it despite Gandhi's requests. By July 1933, he decided to disband the ashram since so many had been detained. Gandhi vowed never to return until India gained full independence.
Buildings within the ashram carry names that reflect Gandhi's personal connections and values. Magan Niwas served as the home for Maganlal Gandhi, who managed the ashram after April 1928. Maganlal was Gandhi's cousin and described as the soul of the community. Upasana Mandir stands between Hridaya Kunj and Magan Nivas as an open-air prayer ground. Here prayers were followed by discussions where Gandhi analyzed individual questions as head of family. Vinoba Kutir honors Acharya Vinoba Bhave but later became known as Mira Kutir after Mirabehn. She was the daughter of a British Rear-Admiral named Sir Edmond Slade. Venugopal Maddipati notes in his dissertation that building names like Nandini date back to the nineteen twenties. These names appear in letters written by Gandhi to Chhaganlal Joshi, the new manager following Maganlal's death.
The ashram transformed into a national monument recognized for its role in Indian history. In 1963 architect Charles Correa designed a new museum building called Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya. The original museum had been located inside Hridaya Kunj, Gandhi's own cottage. Jawaharlal Nehru inaugurated the new structure on the 10th of May 1963 while serving as Prime Minister of India. This well-designed facility allowed memorial activities to continue without disruption. The museum now houses life-size paintings and photo-enlargements depicting historic events from Gandhi's life. Eight large oil paintings display turning points that changed Indian history. Visitors can explore galleries tracking Gandhi's presence in Ahmedabad between 1915 and 1930. The space balances functionality with symbolic design elements inspired by traditional architecture.
Archives within the complex preserve nearly 34,117 letters sent to or from Gandhi. These documents exist both in their original form and as photocopies. Approximately 8,781 pages of manuscripts appear in publications like Harijan, Harijansevak, and Harijanbandhu. Around 6,000 photographs capture moments involving Gandhi and his associates. Microfilming and lamination techniques protect negatives against deterioration over time. The charkha used for spinning khadi sits alongside a writing table where he composed many letters. Exhibitions feature quotations, relics, and personal effects collected systematically since the ashram's founding. The library holds nearly 35,000 books covering Gandhian thought, Indian freedom movements, and allied subjects. Researchers access rare volumes including 4,500 books from Mahadevbhai Desai's personal collection.
Today Sabarmati Ashram welcomes approximately 700,000 visitors each year. Operating hours run daily from 08:00 until 19:00 throughout the calendar. Guided walking tours last 90 minutes and begin with a slide show before ending at the Library. Participants visit Magan Niwas to see different designs of charkhas displayed there. They walk through Upasana Mandir where bhajans and readings from the Holy Gita were once heard. Groups explore Hriday Kunj and Vinoba-Mira Kutir to understand how leaders lived together. The Udyog Mandir symbolizes self-reliance while Somnath Chattralaya housed those who left family affairs behind. An Ashram book store sells literature and memorabilia like postcards and Three Monkeys items. These sales support local artisans rather than generate profit for the trust itself.
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Common questions
When did Mahatma Gandhi move to Sabarmati Ashram?
Mahatma Gandhi moved to Sabarmati Ashram in 1917. He relocated there with his wife Kasturba and a small group of followers.
What happened on the 12th of March 1930 at Sabarmati Ashram?
On the 12th of March 1930, Mahatma Gandhi led a march from Sabarmati Ashram toward Dandi. He walked 241 miles alongside 78 companions to protest British Salt Laws.
Who managed Sabarmati Ashram after April 1928?
Maganlal Gandhi managed Sabarmati Ashram after April 1928. Maganlal was Mahatma Gandhi's cousin and described as the soul of the community.
When did Jawaharlal Nehru inaugurate the new museum building at Sabarmati Ashram?
Jawaharlal Nehru inaugurated the new museum building called Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya on the 10th of May 1963. He served as Prime Minister of India during this event.
How many letters are preserved within the archives of Sabarmati Ashram?
Archives within the complex preserve nearly 34,117 letters sent to or from Mahatma Gandhi. These documents exist both in their original form and as photocopies.