"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 anals 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 kilometers (241 miles) from Ahmedabad.

The great and historic march comenced at 6.30 in the morning on 12th March 1930 from his ashram on the banks of Sabarmati river at Ahmedabad. Frail but full of energy even at the gae 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 kilometers (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 ethusiasm were witnessed all along the route of the march. The long trek finally ended on 5 April 1930. Along the way Gandhiji and his compainions 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 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 kilometers) 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. 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.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India