This web site doesn't display advertising. Please consider making a donation.

Free texts and images.

1896, January 23

Gandhi applied for appointment as a Gujarati interpreter in Natal Court

1896, January 27

The Times, London, referred to Gandhi as one "whose efforts on behalf of his Indian fellow-subjects in South Africa entitle him to respect".

1896, February 26

Petitioned Governor of Zululand protesting against the Townships Regulations.

1896, March 3

Natal Government Gazette released text of new draft Franchise Bill, introduced in legislature.

1896, March 5

Petition regarding the Townships Regulations rejected by Government.

1896, March 11

Gandhi made representations to Chamberlain against the Townships Regulations.

1896, April 27

Franchise Bill, in its modified form, disfranchising natives of other countries who did not enjoy parliamentary franchise there, presented to Natal Parliament. Natal Indians petitioned Legislative Assembly at Pietermaritzburg against the Bill.

1896, May 6

Franchise Bill read second time.

1896, May 7

Gandhi cabled Chamberlain and British Committee of the Indian National Congress against acceptance of the Franchise Bill or any alterations thereto till Indian memorial in that behalf was presented.

1896, May 13

Franchise Bill given third reading and passed in the Legislative Assembly.

1896, May 26

Representatives of Durban Indian community authorized Gandhi, who was due to leave for India, to "represent the grievances the Indians are laboring under in South Africa before the authorities and public men and public bodies in India."

1896, June 2

Presented with address on behalf of Natal Indian Congress.

1896, June 4

Gandhi given address by Durban Indians at farewell meeting in Congress Hall.

1896, June 5

Gandhi left for India.

1896, July 4

Gandhi reached Calcutta, having left Durban by ship on June 5. Departed for Bombay via Allahabad. Missing his train at Allahabad, stayed there for the day and interviewed Mr. Chesney, Editor of The Pioneer. This interview, he wrote later, "laid the foundation of the series of incidents which ultimately led to my being lynched in Natal."

1896, July 9

Reached Rajkot.

1896

Joined the Sanitary Visitors' Committee at Rajkot on the outbreak of plague in Bombay.

1896, August 14

Published the Green Pamphlet at Rajkot.

1896, August 17

Left Rajkot for Bombay.

1896, August 19

Met Ranade, Badruddin Tyabji and Pherozeshah Mehta in Bombay.

1896, September 11

Left Bombay for Rajkot, with ailing brother-in-law whom he nursed up to his dying moments.

1896, September 14

Reuter's cable from London to Durban released misleading report about the contents of the Green Pamphlet.

1896, September 16

Europeans of Durban formed a European Protecting Association, incited by the summary of Reuter's cable in the Natal papers.

1896, September 26

Addressed public meeting, presided over by Pherozeshah Mehta, in Bombay.

1896, September 26

Bombay meeting protested against ill-usage of Indians in South Africa and decided to petition the Secretary of State for India for redress.

1896, October 11

Left Bombay for Madras via Poona.

1896, October 12

Stayed the day in Poona, met Gokhale, Lokamanya Tilak and Dr. Bhandarkar.

1896, October 24

Arrived at Madras.

1896, October 26

Addressed public meeting at Pachaiyappa College Hall, Madras.

1896, October 31

Reached Calcutta via Nagpur. Met Surendranath Benerjea and other leaders of public opinion.

1896, November 12

Received cable from Dada Abdulla, Durban, asking him to return to Natal as Volksraad had recommended that Indians should be forced to reside in locations.

1896, November 13

Addressed letter to The Englishman on the problem of the Indians in South Africa.

1896, November 14(15?)

Reached Bombay.

1896, November 16

Went to Poona and addressed public meeting under the auspices of the Sarvajanik Sabha.

1896, November 20

Returned to Bombay.

1896, November 26

Mass meeting of Durban Europeans under Mayor's chairmanship condemned Asiatic immigration. Audience hissed at mentioned of Gandhi's name. Colonial Patriotic Union set up.

1896, November 30

Gandhi sent telegram to the Viceroy at Calcutta, drawing attention to the Transvaal Government's decision to force Indians to live in locations. Left Bombay for South Africa by S.S. Courland along with wife and two sons.

1896, December 18

Ships Courland and Naderi, carrying Indian passengers, reached Durban.

1896, December 19

Natal Government published notification declaring Bombay an infected port in view of plague in some parts of the Bombay Province. Ships put under five days quarantine, which period was extended from time to time till January 11.

1896, December 25

Gandhi addressed ship-mates at a Christmas Day gathering on Western civilization. Natal newspapers charged him later with "indulging in animated condemnation of Natal Whites" and "with desire to swamp Natal with Indians".

1896, December 29

Europeans of Durban advertised meeting on January 4, for demonstrating against the landing of the Indians. Newspapers full of "Asiatic invasion" story.

1896, December 31

Indian National Congress, in session at Calcutta, adopted, on motion by G. P. Pillai, delegate from the Natal Indian Congress briefed by Gandhi, resolution protesting against the disabilities of Indians in South Africa and appealing to the Government for remedial measures.