CHRONOLOGY OF MAHATMA GANDHI

Early Life 1869-1911 - In South Africa 1912-1932 - Back in India 1933-1948


Chronology In Detail : Back in India 1933 - 1948


  • 1933 February 11 : Founds the weekly paper Harijan, published in English and Hindi.
  • 1933 May 8 : Commences at noon 21 days' fast for self-purification; released unconditionally at 9 p.m.
  • 1933 May 9 : Announces suspension of Civil Disobedience movement for six weeks and calls on the Government to withdraw its Ordinances.
  • 1933 May 29 : Breaks fast.
  • 1933 July 26 : Disbands Satyagraha Ashram.
  • 1933 July 30 : Informs Government of Bombay of his decision to march from Ahmedabad to Ras with 33 followers to revive Civil Disobedience movement.
  • 1933 July 31 : Arrested and imprisoned without trial.
  • 1933 August 4 : Released and rearrested for breaking a restraint order.
  • 1933 August 16 : Goes on fast on being denied facilities to carry on anti-untouchability propaganda.
  • 1933 August 23 : Released and reasserted for breaking a restraint order.
  • 1933 November 7 : Commences Harijan-uplift tour.
  • 1934 September 17 : Announces decision to retire from politics from October I to engage himself in development of village industries, Harijan service and education through basic crafts.
  • 1933 October 26 : Inaugurates All-India Village Industries Association.
  • 1936 April 30 : Settles down at Sevagram, a village near Wardha in the Central Provinces, Making it his headquarters.
  • 1937 October 22 : Presides over Educational Conference at Wardha and outlines his scheme of education through basic crafts.
  • 1939 March 3 : Commences 'fast unto death' at Rajkot to secure Ruler's adherence to promise given to reform administration, and ends it on March 7 on Viceroy's intervention.
  • 1940 July & Sept : Meets Viceroy by invitation in connection with war situation.
  • 1940 October : Sanctions individual civil disobedience; suspends Harijan and allied weeklies following official demand for pro-censor-ship of reports and writings in Harijan on the subject of satyagraha.
  • 1941 December 30 : At his own request is relieved of hi leadership of Congress by Working Committee.
  • 1942 January 18 : Restarts Harijan and allied weeklies.
  • 1942 March 27 : Meets Sir Stafford Cripps in New Delhi; later declares Cripps proposals to be a 'post-dated cheque'.
  • 1942 May : Appeals to British Government to quit India.
  • 1942 August 8 : Addresses A.I.C.C. session in Bombay on implications of Quit India resolution.
  • 1942 Sugust 9 : Arrested and interned in Aga Khan's Palace at Poona.
  • 1942 August 15 : Death of Mahadev Desai, Gandhiji's personal secretary, from heart failure, in Aga Khan's Palace.
  • 1942 Aug-Dec : Corresponds with Viceroy and Government of India regarding disturbances.
  • 1943 February 10 : Commences 21 days' fast, which he breaks on March 3.
  • 1944 February 22 : Kasturba Gandhi dies in Aga Khan's Palace.
  • 1944 May 6 : Released unconditionally.
  • 1944 September 9-27 : Carries on talks with M. A. Jinnah regarding Pakistan.
  • 1944 October 2 : Presentation of purse of 110 lakhs of rupees (£ 8,25,000) for Kasturba Memorial on occasion of 75thbirthday.
  • 1945 April 17 : In a statement regarding the ensuing San Francisco Conference says that peace is impossible without equality and freedom of India. Also demands a just peace for Germany and Japan.
  • 1945 December 19 : Lays foundation stone of C. F. Andrews' Memorial Hospital at Shanti Niketan.
  • 1945-46 Dec-Jan : Tours Bengal and Assam.
  • 1946 Jan & Feb : Tours Southern India for anti-untouchability and Hindustani propaganda.
  • 1946 February 10 : Revives Harijan and allied group of weekly journals.
  • 1946 April : Participates in political talks with Cabinet Mission in Delhi.
  • 1946 May 5-12 : In Simla; Simla Conference in session; deliberations prove infructuous.
  • 1946 May 16 : Cabinet Mission announces Plan.
  • 1946 May 18-19 : Discusses Plan with Cabinet Mission.
  • 1946 May 26 : Considers Plan best document produced by British Government under circumstances.
  • 1946 June 6 : In Missouri.
  • 1946 June 7 : Returns to Delhi.
  • 1946 June 10 : Refuses to enthuse over Allied victory as not being 'victory of truth over false-hood'.
  • 1946 June 11 : Viceroy interviews Gandhiji, moots proposal of Coalition Government at Centre.
  • 1946 June 16 : Cabinet Mission negotiations discontinued; Viceroy proposes Interim Government.
  • 1946 June 18 : Congress Working Committee decides to accept Interim Government scheme.
  • 1946 June 20-1 : Attends Working Committee meeting. Gandhiji is seen by Cripps.
  • 1946 June 23 : Advises Congress not to enter Interim Government, but only Constituent Assembly.
  • 1946 June 24 : Meets Cabinet Mission.
  • 1946 June 28 : Leaves Delhi for Poona; attempts made to derail train en route.
  • 1946 July 7 : Addresses A.I.C.C. meeting at Bombay; Congress accepts Cabinet Mission plan of May 16.
  • 1946 July 31 : Jinnah threatens sanctions of 'Direct Action'.
  • 1946 August 12 : Viceroy announces invitation to Congress to form provisional Government.
  • 1946 August 16-18 : The 'Great Calcutta Killing'.
  • 1946 August 24 : Viceroy Wavell broadcasts Plan.
  • 1946 August 27 : Gandhiji cables warning to British Government against repetition of 'Bengal tragedy'; also writes to Wavell.
  • 1946 September 4 : Interim Government formed.
  • 1946 September 26 : Has interview with Wavell.
  • 1946 October 9 : Jinnah's 9-point demands conveyed to Congress.
  • 1946 October 10 : Noakhali Massacre.
  • 1946 October 15 : Muslim League agrees to enter Interim Government.
  • 1946 October 28 : Leaves for Calcutta. Riots break out in Bihar.
  • 1946 November 6 : Leaves for Noakhali; issues statement on 'Partial Fast'.
    Noakhali tour begins.
  • 1946 November 20 : Starts tour without party.
  • 1946 December 20 : Completes month-long sojourn at Srirampur.
  • 1946 December 25 : At Noakhali, says: "I am being tested through and through..."
  • 1946 December 30 : Jawaharlal Nehru calls on Gandhiji, who says: "My reason wholly supports my heart".
  • 1947 January 2 : Says: "All around me is utter darkness".
    Leaves Srirampur on walking tour.
  • 1947 January 3-29 : In Bihar, touring riot-affected areas.
  • 1947 January 30 : Leaves Patna for Delhi. Mountbatten, new Viceroy, arrives in Delhi.
  • 1947 April 1-2 : Gandhiji addresses Asian Relations Conference in Delhi.
  • 1947 April 15 : Issues with Jinnah joint appeal for communal peace.
  • 1947 April 29 : In Bihar.
  • 1947 May 1: Congress Working Committee accepts Partition in principle.
  • 1947 May 5 : in interview, Gandhiji denies that communal division of India is inevitable.
  • 1947 May 24 : Leaves Bihar for Delhi.
  • 1947 May 31 : Declares peace must precede partition, he would not be party to India's vivisection.
  • 1947 June 2 : Viceroy's Partition plan revealed; Congress Working Committee conveys acceptance.
  • 1947 June 3 : Indian leaders broadcast on Mountbatten Plan.
  • 1947 June 6 : Gandhiji writes to Mountbatten, with Pakistan conceded, to persuade Jinna to amicably settle all outstanding points with Congress.
  • 1947 June 12 : Addresses Congress Working Committee.
  • 1947 July : 'Independence of India Bill' passed.
  • 1947 July 27 : Appeals to Princes to regard people's paramountcy as a privilege.
  • 1947 August 14 : Hails following day as one of rejoicing for deliverance from, British bondage; but deplores Partition. Pakistan is born.
  • 1947 August 15 : Hindu-Muslim fraternization in Calcutta.
  • 1947 August 16 : Hails 'Miracle of Calcutta'.
  • 1947 September 1 : Considers Calcutta peace nine-day's wonder, decides on fast.
  • 1947 September 2 : Is mobbed in Calcutta house; gives up idea of Noakhali visit. Peace efforts intensified.
  • 1947 September 4 : Breaks fast.
  • 1947 September 7 : Leaves Calcutta for Delhi; commences daily visits to riot-racked areas.
  • 1947 September 24 : Pakistan raiders invade Kashmir.
  • 1947 September 25 : Kashmir accedes to Indian Union.
  • 1947 September 26 : Criticizes Churchill's 'holocaust in India'. Statement.
  • 1947 November 1 : Indian troops enter Junagadh.
  • 1947 November 8 : Junagadh accedes to India. Addresses A.I.C.C.
  • 1947 November 11 : 'Defends Junagadh's accession to India.
  • 1947 December 25 : Pleads for amicable settlement between India and Pakistan.
  • 1947 December 30 : India refers Kashmir dispute to U.N.
  • 1948 January 12 : Decides to fast for communal peace in Delhi; Mountbatten fails to dissuade Gandhiji.
  • 1948 January 15 : Enters 'danger zone'. Hails Indian Cabinet's decision to release Pakistan dues of Rs. 550 million. Fast continues for establishment of communal peace.
  • 1948 January 17 : Doctors warn fast must be ended. Central Peace Committee formed, decides on 'Peace Pledge'.
  • 1948 January 18 : Peace Committee signs, presents 'Peace Pledge' to Gandhiji, who breaks fast.
  • 1948 January 20 : Bomb explodes at prayer meeting.
  • 1948 January 27 : Visits Mehrauli Muslim Fair.
  • 1948 January 29 : Angry refugees ask Gandhiji to retire to the Himalayas.
  • 1948 January 30 : Drafts constitution of a Congress transformed into Lok Sevak Sangh.
    Is assassinated on way to evening prayer.