Complete Set of 2 nos of postage stamps on the 50^th Anniversary of Dandi Satyagraha : Salt March, a nonviolent civil disobedience movement in British colonial India led by Mahatma Gandhi :

Issued by India

Issued on Oct 2, 1980

Issued for : Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department feels honoured to pay homage to the Father of our Nation by issuing a set of two se-tenant stamps.

Description of Designs : The se-tenant set of two stamps depicts Gandhiji marching to Dandi and defying the Salt law by picking up a handful of salt at Dandi. The first day cover designed by Charanjit Lal shows the facsimile of Gandhiji‘s message to the world together with artist’s impression of Gandhiji‘s marching feet against the background of a crowd scene symbolising nation’s solidarity with the Mahatma‘s March. First day cancellation has the profile of Mahatma Gandhi with the inscriptions in Hindi and English.

Designed by : A. Ramachandran

Type : Se–tenant pair of 2 Stamps, Postal Used

Colour : Multicolour

Denomination : 35 Paise each

Overall size : 4.15 x 4.06 cms.

Printing size : 4.15 x 4.06 cms.

Perforation : 14½ x 14

Watermark : Printed on unwatermarked adhesive stamp paper

Number printed : 20,00,000 each

Number per issue sheet : 25 (se-tenant)

Printing process : Photogravure

Printed at : India Security Press

About : 

• “Today the pilgrim marches onward on his long trek. Staff in hand he goes along the dusty roads of Gujarat, clear–eyed and firm of step, with his faithful band trudging along behind him….” – Jawaharlal Nehru.
  
• In the annals of India’s struggle for independence, few events are as dramatic, inspiring and significant as the historic march to Dandi led by the Father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.
  
• In December 1929, the Indian National Congress declared Purna Swaraj (total independence) as its avowed objective and 26 January 1930 was celebrated as Independence Day throughout the country. Against this background, Gandhiji launched the civil disobedience movement known as Salt Satyagraha. Before commencing the movement, he addressed a historic letter to the Viceroy of India. The unfeeling reply from the Viceroy provoked Gandhiji to exclaim : “On bended knees I asked for bread and I have received stone instead”.
  
• The place selected by Gandhiji for his symbolic defiance of the provisions of the Salt law was Dandi, a seaside village in Gujarat. He decided to march the entire distance of about 385 kilometres (241 miles) from Ahmedabad. The great and historic march commenced at 6:30 in the morning on 12 March 1930 from his ashram on the banks of Sabarmati river at Ahmedabad. Frail but full of energy even at the age of 61, Gandhiji led a band of 78 satyagrahis representing a cross-section of the people from all over the country. Daily he walked 16 kilometres (10 miles) or more and addressed public meetings. The ashram routine of prayer, spinning and writing the daily diary was incumbent on every marcher. Unprecedented scenes of enthusiasm were witnessed all along the route of the march.
  
• The long trek finally ended on 5 April 1930. Along the way Gandhiji and his companions had halted for the night at 22 places. On 6 April, the atmosphere at Dandi was both tense and solemn. After prayers, Gandhiji and his followers bathed in the sea and then at 8:30 in the morning, he bent down and picked up a handful of salt. Sarojini Naidu, who was there, hailed him as a ‘law–breaker’.
  
• The first salvo was thus fired. The entire nation rallied to his call and millions defied Salt Law and courted imprisonment. Jawaharlal Nehru was arrested on April 14 and sentenced to 6 months’ imprisonment. At 12:45 a.m. on May 4, Gandhiji was arrested at Karadi, 3 miles (5 kilometres) from Dandi, and was sent to Yervada prison. Thus, ended a glorious episode in India’s struggle for freedom. The Dandi March was the spark that kindled the flames of a movement that culminated in independence of the country.

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