Ahmedabad (1918)
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Overview
In 1918 the mill workers of Ahmedabad went on strike. Gandhi took up their cause and went on his first hunger strike.
The dispute arose over a plague bonus that mill owners wanted to withdraw, and Gandhi asked for a 35% wage increase.
It was his first hunger strike in India, which pushed the owners to accept arbitration.
Anasuya Sarabhai, sister of mill owner Ambalal Sarabhai, supported the workers, and the episode later led to the Textile Labour Association.
The strike lasted about three weeks.
The workers eventually got a 35% wage increase through arbitration.
It was one of Gandhi's early movements in India along with Champaran and Kheda.
It was the first time Gandhi used a fast.
Geography and key facts
- 1918
- Mill workers' wage dispute
- Gandhi's first hunger strike
- Plague bonus dispute
- Gandhi's first hunger strike in India
- Anasuya Sarabhai
Why it matters for UPSC
Gandhi's early local struggles in India are a staple question.
Note for UPSC
Mill workers' strike; Gandhi's first hunger strike.
Questions link places with movements, sessions and years of the national movement.
Asked in PYQs
No question in our Prelims bank names Ahmedabad (1918) yet.
Key facts
- Type
- Freedom-struggle site
- State / UT
- Gujarat
- Year
- 1918
- Coordinates
- 23.023°N, 72.571°E
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
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Other places in Gujarat
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