Chronology of Mahatma Gandhi's life/South Africa 1903

Documents libres.

South Africa 1902

Chronology of Mahatma Gandhi's life ~ South Africa 1903 written by Mohandas K. Gandhi

South Africa 1904

1903, January 1

Gandhi reached Pretoria.

1903, January 2

Waited on Assistant Colonial Secretary but told that not being resident of the Transvaal, he could not be in deputation.

1903, January 6

British Indian Committee appealed to Lt.-Governor to permit Gandhi to be member of deputation to Chamberlain.

1903, January, prior to 7

Memorial drawn up by Gandhi presented by deputation led by George Godfrey.

1903

Memorial drawn up by Gandhi presented by deputation led by George Godfrey.

1903, January 30

Wrote to Dadabhai Naoroji, reporting on the deputations to Chamberlain and suggesting prohibition of indentured emigration to Natal.

1903, February 5

Wrote, in letter to Chhaganlal Gandhi, of the uncertainty of his stay in South Africa, which was 'no bed of roses'.

1903, February 12

Interviewed Lt.-Governor of the Transvaal concerning setting up of Bazaars.

1903, February 16

Decided to settle down in Johannesburg, in view of public work, about this time enrolled to Bar of the Transvaal Supreme Court.

1903, February 18

Communicated views on Bazaars to Colonial Secretary.

1903, February 23

Forwarded to Dadabhai Naoroji comprehensive statement on Indian Question in the Transvaal and Orange River Colonies. Wrote to Gokhale that events in the Transvaal were progressing fast and he was "in the thick of the fight".

1903, March 16

Dispatched periodical statement to Dadabhai Naoroji on the situation in South Africa.

1903, April 25

Wrote in The Vegetarian, offering tips to prospective emigrants to South Africa.

1903

Reported, in letter to Colonial Secretary, police high-handedness towards Indian merchants in Heidelberg.

1903, April 27

Released to Press letter about Heidelberg incidents.

1903, May 1

Forwarded to Lt.-Governor petition of William Hosken and other European residents of Johannesburg about Government Notice No. 356 of 1903, and expressed view that legislation to regulate immigration was more acceptable.

1903, May 6

Mass meeting held in Johannesburg protesting against enforcement of anti-Indian laws which restricted Indians to Bazaars, etc., and calling for their repeal.

1903, May 9

Gandhi forwarded reports to Dadabhai Naoroji about Heidelberg and Johannesburg incidents, European petition about Notice No. 356 and the Johannesburg Mass Meeting.

1903, May 10

Expressed, in letter to Dadabhai Naoroji, readiness to accept, with modifications, legislation on Natal lines to restrict immigration, and also principle of Bazaars if not imposed by law.

1903

Stated in letter to Gokhale that he had settled in Johannesburg "under very great difficulties". Requested him to study question of South African legislation to restrict Asiatic immigration and to direct movement against it in India.

1903, May 16

Reported to Dadabhai Naoroji Transvaal Government move to enforce collection of £3 registration tax.

1903, May 22

Led Indian deputation to Lord Milner, Governor of the Transvaal, in connection with compulsory levy of registration tax and general question of Indians in Colony.

1903, May 24

Informed Dadabhai Naoroji of demands of Indian deputation to Lord Milner.

1903, May 31

Urged in weekly communication to Dadabhai Naoroji need for relief to Indians from discrimination in Orange River Colony. Reported enactment of Bazaar law by Cape Colony and emphasized need to concentrate effort on repeal of existing legislation.

1903, June 4

Indian Opinion commenced publication with Mansukhlal Nazar as editor.

1903, June 6

Gandhi cabled British Committee, hoping that compulsory repatriation of ex-indentured Indians would not receive sanction from Home Government.

1903

Opposed in periodical statement to Dadabhai Naoroji compulsory return of ex-indentured Indians and stressed that Location and Bazaar laws in Natal and the Cape Colony, if made permanent, would seriously damage Indian interests.

1903, June 8

Submitted petition to Transvaal Governor, detailing disadvantages of Asiatic Office, Bazaar Notice, and prohibition of land-ownership in Locations, and demanding abrogation of discriminatory legislation and restoration of freedom of life and trade.

1903, June 10

Petition presented to Natal Legislature demanding amendment of draft ordinance for Municipal franchise classing Indians with Natives.

1903, June 23

Suggested in petition to Natal Council modifications to Bill for restricting immigration.

1903, June 30

Wrote to Haridasbhai Vora, reporting success in professional practice, referring to exacting nature of his public work and expressing preparedness to settle down in Johannesburg for decade or so.

1903, July 4

Urged in letter to Gokhale the need of "a well-directed movement" throughout Indian to counteract agitation of interested parties in the Transvaal against relaxation of old anti-Asiatic laws.

1903, July 18

Informed Dadabhai Naoroji of passing of Municipal ordinance despite Indian objection, and of Transvaal Government proposal to lay out 54 locations for Indians.

1903, July 25

Informed Dadabhai Naoroji of Transvaal Legislative Council’s resolution to enforce Bazaar Notice.

1903, August 3

Demanded in his weekly statement relaxation in respect of existing licenses, referred to continued difficulties of Transvaal Indian refugees and refuted Milner’s allegation of sanitary grounds for segregation policy.

1903, August 4

Cabled British Committee, India and The Times of India about refugee problem.

1903, August 10

Forwarded to Dadabhai Naoroji detailed clarification of cable of August 4.

1903, August 24

Petitioned Chamberlain to withhold Royal assent to Immigration Restriction Bill passed by Natal Assembly.

1903, September 2

Writing in Indian Opinion, expressed hope that no Indian would stoop to secure exemption from Bazaar Notice.

1903, September 7

Demonstrated, in letter to Dadabhai Naoroji, against any acceptance in England of move for compulsory repatriation of indentured labor and payment of part wages in India.

1903, November 9

Reported to Dadabhai Naoroji that sites chosen for Bazaars were in out-of-the way places.

1903, November 16

Intimated in weekly letter to Dadabhai Naoroji that policy laid down in Milner’s dispatch of May 1903 was not being carried out.

1903, December 1

Wrote to Indian National Congress at Madras that seriousness of situation in Natal should be realized and early and earnest efforts made to secure relief.

1903, December 11

Mass meeting of British Indians requested protection to all existing licenses.

1903, December 12

Gandhi cabled Dadabhai Naoroji about Government’s proposed amendment to Bazaar Notice proposing exemption for some Indians from liability to trade in Bazaars or Locations.

1903, December 17

Appealed to Associate Chambers of Commerce at Pretoria seriously to consider amendment of Location Law.