Sabarmati Ashram was the Ashram established by the Great Indian independence movement leader Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, fondly called Mahatma Gandhi, on the banks of River Sabarmati in Ahmedabad, Gujarat state of India.
Gandhiji’s Charkha and table at Sabarmati, Ahmedabad.
Mahatma Gandhi lived at this Ashram spread over 36 acres of land for around 12 years. Different names like Gandhi Ashram, Satyagraha Ashram, and Harijan Ashram know this ashram on the banks of the Sabarmati river.
Gandhi’s first Ashram was Kochrab Ashram alias Satyagraha Ashram, which was started on 25 May 1915. After around two years, Kochrab Ashram was infested with plague disease. Hence, Gandhiji relocated to the new Ashram, Sabarmati.
Gandhi carried out farming and animal husbandry at the new Ashram. He also started a school that concentrated on harnessing manual labor, agriculture, literacy, etc., for the country’s self-sufficiency.
It was from Sabarmati Ashram that Mahatma Gandhi started the Dandi march (Salt Satyagraha) on 12th March 1930. This led to mass civil disobedience, and thousands of people were arrested nationwide. To contain Gandhi’s activities, the British Government took control of the Ashram, and his pleas to return it were not allowed. On 22nd July 1933, Gandhiji decided to disband Sabarmati Ashram and took a pledge not to return to Sabarmati Ashram until India gained independence. Even though the country gained independence on 15th August 1947, Gandhiji could not return to the Ashram as he was assassinated on 30th January 1948.
Sabarmati ashram now houses a museum called Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya, which is commonly called as the Gandhi Museum. It is among the most visited Indian museums.
Other important buildings in the Ashram are listed below: Hridaya Kunj is the cottage where Gandhiji lived. Nandini is an old ashram guest house that is open to visitors to stay. Vinoba Kutir is the cottage where Acharya Vinoba Bhave stayed, also known as Mira Kutir after Gandhiji’s disciple Mirabehn stayed here. Upasana Mandir is an open-air prayer ground on the Ashram premises. Magan Niwas is another building where the ashram manager, Maganlal Gandhi, who was Gandhiji’s cousin, lived.
Sabarmati Ashram is a must-see place to visit in Ahmadabad. It’s a place to know about Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, a title given to him by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was a great freedom fighter and the Head of State and Government (Prime Minister) of the Provisional Government of Free India (i.e., Undivided India – which included the whole of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh) till his death. He was the only person who held that office. This post was abolished on his death.
How Do I Go to Sabarmati Ashram?
Ahmedabad is well connected by roads to the other parts of India. Delhi to Mumbai National Highway, NH 8, one of the busiest Highways in the Indian sub-continent, passes through Ahmedabad. Delhi to Chennai National Highway, NH 48, passes through Ahmedabad. NH 47 connecting Bamanbore to Nagpur passes through this city. National Highway 64 connects the historic city of Dandi with Ahmedabad.
Sabarmati Junction railway station is the nearest railway station to the Ashram at Sabarmati, around three kilometers away. Ahmedabad Junction railway station is the closest major railway station at around 6.8 kilometers, well connected to the rest of the country. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad is the nearest airport to Sabarmati Ashram.