Chronology of Mahatma Gandhi's life/South Africa 1893-1895

Documents libres.

India 1891-1892

Chronology of Mahatma Gandhi's life ~ South Africa 1893-1895 written by Mohandas K. Gandhi

South Africa 1896

1893, April

Sailed for Durban, readily grasping opportunity of legal work in South Africa offered by Dada Abdulla & Co., leaving wife and child in Rajkot and intending to return in year's time.

1893, May

Towards close of month reached Port Natal, where he was struck by scant respect shown to Indians.

1893, May - June

On second or third day of arrival visited Durban Court; when asked to remove turban he preferred to leave premises. Wrote to the Press about incident; was called "unwelcome visitor", but secured considerable publicity.

1893

Seven or eight days later proceeded to Pretoria on client's work. During journey by train and coach had bitter experience of color prejudice.

1893

Resolved to fight to "root out the disease" of color prejudice and "suffer hardships in the process". Baker, attorney and preacher, warned him of prevalence of color prejudice and secured him lodgings in a poor woman's inn. Attended Baker's prayer meeting and was introduced to Christians like Mr. Coates, a Quaker, and Misses Harris and Gabb, who became friendly.

1893

During first week in Pretoria met Sheth Tyeb Haji Khan and addressed meeting of Indian Memon merchants on the condition of Indians in the Transvaal. Suggested and offered to help formation of association for seeking redress of grievances of Indian settlers. Stay in Pretoria gave him intimate knowledge of social, economic and political conditions of Indians in the Transvaal and the Orange Free State.

1893

Had experience of regulation banning use of footpaths by Indians when he was kicked off the footpath near President Kruger's house, but refused despite pressure to sue the White assailant on the ground that he would never go to court for personal grievances.

1893, August 22 / September 2

Conducted experiments in vital food. Constant contact with Mr. Coates and other Christian friends during this time prompted him to study books on Christianity and hold discussions with them, but he found difficulty in accepting their interpretation of the Bible and Christianity.

1894, April

While preparing case for his client, Dada Abdulla, realized paramount importance of facts, or truth, in legal practice. Convinced of folly of litigation, had the dispute settled by arbitration. His professional engagement over, returned to Durban.

1894

At farewell party saw announcement in The Natal Mercury of impending disfranchisement law and urged Indian merchants present to resist it. Was persuaded by them to extend his stay by a month to lead their struggle - a fateful decision.

1894

At this time took to serious religious study. Tolstoy's The Kingdom of God Is Within You overwhelmed him. Corresponded with Christian friends in England. Also wrote to religious thinkers in India, like Raychandbhai whose replies to his questions on Hinduism reassured him.

1894, May 22 (?)

At meeting of prominent Indian merchants set up committee to agitate against discriminatory legislation.

1894, June 27

Sent telegrams to Speaker of Natal Legislative Assembly, Prime Minister Robinson and Attorney-General Harry Escombe, asking for postponement of consideration of Franchise Law Amendment Bill till Indian petition was presented. Discussion of Bill deferred by two days.

1894, June 28

Submitted to Legislative Assembly petition, signed by 500 Indians, opposing Bill and asking for Commission of Enquiry.

1894, June 29

Waited in deputation of Premier; requested for week's time to present the Indian case more exhaustively.

1894, July 1

Attended and addressed meeting of Indians in Field Street.

1894, July 3

Led deputation to Natal Governor and urged him not to sanction the Franchise Bill which received third reading in Assembly.

1894, July 5

Initiated correspondence with Dadabhai Naoroji seeking his intervention in England on behalf of South African Indians.

1894, July 6

Indians presented second petition to Legislative Council pressing for the rejection of the Franchise Bill.

1894, July 7

Franchise Bill received third reading in Council.

1894, July 10

Petitioned Governor requesting postponement of dispatch of the Bill to the Imperial Government for Royal assent, pending Indian petition to the latter.

1894, July 17

Submitted to Natal Government lengthy mass petition signed by 10,000 Indians, addressed to Lord Ripon, Secretary of State for Colonies.

1894

Settled down in Natal to continue public work.

1894, August 22

Established Natal Indian Congress to carry on sustained agitation against discriminatory legislation, becoming its first Secretary; also Colonial-born Indians Association.

1894, September 3

Allowed by Supreme Court to practice in Natal Courts, despite opposition by Natal Law Society. In court, asked to remove turban, obeyed to conform to court practice and to reserve his strength for "fighting bigger battles".

1894, September 19

Appeared in Gopi Maharaj case, probably his first in South Africa, and won. But subordinated legal career to public work.

1894, November 26

Indicated growing interest in Esoteric Christianity by becoming agent for selling its literature.

1894, December (prior to 19)

Addressed documented "Open Letter" to Natal Legislators.

1894, December 19

Circulated appeal among Europeans in Natal for sympathetic approach to problem of Indian settlers.

1895, April

Visited Trappist Monastery near Durban, where practice of vegetarianism from spiritual point of view greatly impressed him.

1895, April 6

Through Committee of British Indian Merchants petitioned High Commissioner against unsatisfactory award in Indian Arbitration case.

1895, May (prior to 5)

Appealed to Natal Assembly against rein denture clauses in Indian Immigration Bill.

1895, May (after 14)

Appealed again to Lord Ripon concerning injustice of award leaving Indian trading rights at the mercy of the law courts.

1895

Sought intervention of Lord Elgin, Viceroy of India, to protect Indian interests against discriminatory laws and disabilities.

1895, June 17

Defended and secured the release of indentured laborer Balasundaram. The case brought him into contact with indentured labor.

1895, June 26

Petitioned Legislative Council against clauses affecting indentured labor in Immigration Bill.

1895, August 11

Addressed lengthy petition to Joseph Chamberlain objecting to the imposition of the £3 license fee on indenture-expired Indians. Requested Lord Elgin to intervene, or stop further emigration of Indian labor.

1895, September 12

Chamberlain conveyed to Natal Government refusal of Imperial Government to sanction Franchise Bill in its existing form.

1895, September 25-30

Gandhi wrote to the Press denying that Natal Indian Congress was a secret organization or his being its paid employee, but accepting responsibility for drafting its Constitution.

1895, October 22

British Indian Defense Committee and Johannesburg Indians telegraphed to Chamberlain protesting against interpretation of the term "British subjects" in Commando Treaty, exempting citizens from compulsory military service, as applying only to the Whites.

1895, November 18

Natal Government forwarded fresh draft of Franchise Bill to Secretary of State for the Colonies. Europeans organized meeting at Ladysmith, Sailsbury, Bellair, etc., in support of Asiatic legislation.

1895, November 26

Gandhi memorialized Chamberlain against discrimination in Commando Treaty.

1895, December 16

Issued The Indian Franchise : An Appeal to Every Briton in South Africa.