Chronology of Mahatma Gandhi's life/South Africa 1914

Documents libres.

South Africa 1913

Chronology of Mahatma Gandhi's life ~ South Africa 1914 written by Mohandas K. Gandhi

England 1914

1914, January 1

Gandhi wrote to Senator Marshall Campbell defending movement, denying passive resistance was connected with violence. Sir Benjamin Robertson left Bombay en route for South Africa.

1914, January 2

Charles F. Andrews and W. W. Pearson arrived in Durban. Gandhi spoke at reception.

1914, January 2

Cabled Gokhale about Andrew’s arrival, effort for nominating impartial European on Commission.

1914, January 3

In cable to Gokhale, asked for Harilal’s return to join passive resistance.

1914, January 4

Addressed Indian hawkers’ Association reception in honor of Andrews and Pearson.

1914, January 4

Gave interview to Reuter.

1914, January 5

Hurbatsingh, 70-year-old satyagrahi serving 3 months’ sentence died of pneumonia in Volksrust Gaol.

1914, January 7

Gandhi, Andrews, left for Pretoria for interview with Smuts.

1914, January before 8

Several Indians killed in police firing at Blackburn Estates.

1914, January 8

Gandhi sought interview with Smuts.

1914, January 9

Gandhi, Andrews arrived in Pretoria; in interview to Pretoria News, assured that passive resisters would not embarrass Government till railway strike was settled.

1914, January 11

Benjamin Robertson arrived in Durban.

1914, January 12

Mrs. Sheikh Mehtab and her mother, Haifa Bibi, released from Maritzburg Goal.

1914, January 13

Gandhi had brief interview with Smuts, who asked him to await Robertson’s arrival in Pretoria; Andrews met Governor-general Herbert John Gladstone.

1914, January 16

Gandhi had interview with Smuts; presented proposals.

1914, January 20

Several women satyagrahis released from Durban Central goal.

1914, January before 21

Gandhi received written statement from Pretoria Muslims and Hindus repudiating allegation of split on issue of passive resistance.

1914, January 21

Gandhi met Benjamin Robertson; wrote to Ministry of Interior that passive resistance would not be revived or the Commission’s work otherwise hampered.

1914, January 22

Andrews saw Smuts provisional settlement between Gandhi and Smuts arrived at, Government accepting principle of consultation with Indians. Gandhi left Pretoria for Phoenix; passive resistance suspended.

1914, January 23

Arrived in Johannesburg; interviewed by Rand Daily Mail; cabled Gokhale reporting provisional settlement; set up office at 15, Anderson Street, Johannesburg; several passive resisters released from Durban Goal.

1914, January 25

Gandhi explained implications of settlement at Durban mass meeting which endorsed it.

1914, January 25

Attended reception to Andrews by Indian goldsmiths in Durban.

1914, January 26

Indian Inquiry Commission held first sitting in Durban.

1914, January 28

Reuter reported NIC meeting decision to tender evidence before Inquiry Commission.

1914, January 28

Several Indian Associations cabled Gokhale approval of ‘Provisional Settlement’.

1914, January 29

Benjamin Robertson testified before Commission.

1914, January 30

Gandhi, Andrews jointly cabled Gokhale that NIC meeting of January 28 had been engineered and was of no significance.

1914, January 30

Andrews, Manilal Gandhi arrived at Pietermaritzburg.

1914, January 31

India mass meeting at Maritzburg honored Andrews, endorsed Gandhi-Smuts agreement.

1914, February 4

Robertson visited Phoenix settlement.

1914, February 6

Gandhi was informed of Government’s decision to release natal and Transvaal passive resistance prisoners.

1914, February 7

India women’s Sabha inaugurated in Durban.; Kasturba, Mrs. Polak elected patrons.

1914, February 7

Inquiry Commission concluded sitting in Natal.

1914, February 8

Indian meeting in Stanger supported Gandhi-Smuts agreement.

1914, February 9

HIS (Hamidia Islamic Society, Johannesburg) conveyed to Robertson resolution demanding settlement of marriage question according to Mahomedan religion.

1914, February 12

Andrews addressed public meeting on Tagore at Cliti hall, Cape Town.

1914, February 17

Gokhale left for England.

1914, February 20

Andrews addressed University students at Cape Town.

1914, February 21

Gandhi spoke at farewell to Andrews, who later sailed for England.

1914, February 22

Miss Valliamma Moonsamy Moodaliar, a passive resister, died of illness contracted in Maritzburg Goal.

1914, February 24

Madras league resolved to depute Gokhale, Srinivasa Sastri and others to present South Africa Indians case in England.

1914, February 26

Smuts requested Gandhi to postpone meeting him till Inquiry Commission’s report was out.

1914, February 27

Gandhi wrote to Gokhale from Cape Town expressing desire to return to India in case of settlement, observe compact of silence for a year and learn at Gokhale’s feet.

1914, March 2

In letter to Harilal, Gandhi spoke of ailing Kasturba as "hanging between life and death".

1914, March 4

Wrote to Robertson about relief to Indians in regard to specific grievances.

1914, March 7

Solomon Commission’s report submitted to Government.

1914, March 9

Lakshmidas Gandhi passed away at Porbundar.

1914, March 11

Gandhi wrote to Chhaganlal Gandhi how to handle family matters in case of his death. Speaking in the Senate, Smuts observed that Gandhi was allowed to function in South Africa as he did, "because he never advocated methods of violence to overthrow the ... ???

1914, March 13

In letter to Andrews, Gandhi wrote "Mrs. Gandhi was near death’s door last week. I have therefore done hardly anything else save nursing her during the last 10 days.

1914, March 16

Bombay Committee for South Africa cabled Gandhi for views on Reuter’s forecast about Commission’s recommendations, requested him not to commit himself before consulting Committee.

1914, March 17

Commission’s Report presented to Parliament.

1914, March 17

Reoberson left Cape Town for Delagoa Bay en route to India. Viceroy addressed Imperial Legislative Council on subject of Inquiry Commission.

1914, March 19

Bombay Committee for South Africa expressed satisfaction over Commission’s recommendations, hoped passive resistance would not be revived.

1914, March 22

Transvaal Muslim meeting condemned Solomon Commission’s recommendations on question of Muslim marriage; HIS cabled SSI, others, recommendations violated religion.

1914, March 23

Smuts announced in Assembly that Government was considering Commission’s report and introducing necessary legislation that session.

1914, March 24

Union Government Gazette published Proclamation requiring publication of banns for Mohammedan and Hebrew marriages.

1914, March 25

Cape Indians held reception for Kasturba Gandhi, Imam Abdul Kadir Bawazeer, at Hindu Sabha; Gandhi was presented with set of Cape Town Statutes, also contributions to passive resistance fund. Gandhi analyzed in Indian Opinion recommendations of the Commission.

1914, March 26

Accompanied by Kasturba and Imam Bawazeer, left Cape Town for Phoenix.

1914, March 30

Arrived at Phoenix. Mr. And Mrs. Polak given farewell by Durban Indian Women’s Association.

1914, April 1

In letter to Gokhale, Gandhi expressed doubt about Kasturba’s survival. Andrews left England for Marseilles en route to India.

1914, April 8

Gandhi urged Ministry of Interior to stop deductions for £ 3 tax indentured labourers’ wages, in view of Commission’s recommendations.

1914, April 22

Telegraphed Ministry to order suspension of forcible tax collections. Smuts replied stating that suspension of prosecutions for tax recommended to Minister of Justice.

1914, May before 6

Urged Ministry not to demand photos from Indian women seeking entry to the Transvaal, but accept local proof.

1914, May 6

Wrote to Gokhale asking whether he and Kasturba should meet him in London en route to India, in case of final settlement.

1914, May 16

Gladstone forwarded SSC text of Indians’ Relief Bill.

1914, May 19

Gandhi inquired of Ministry date of introduction of Bill.

1914, May 20

Ministry informed Gandhi interview with Smuts possible for discussing Bill.

1914, May 22

Gandhi left Phoenix for Cape Town to meet Smuts.

1914, May 23

Interviewed by The Transvaal Leader at Johannesburg.

1914, May 27

Met Secretary of Interior, received copy of draft Bill.

1914, May 28

Indians’ Relief Bill published; Polak, interviewed by Reuter at Johannesburg, mentioned Gandhi’s cable that Bill appeared satisfactory.

1914, May 29

Polak wrote to The Star anticipating end of struggle if administrative measures taken to implement Bill.

1914, June 1

Smuts notified Assembly of introduction of Bill next day.

1914, June 2

Ficksburg Indian community wired Gandhi demanding access to Fee State.

1914, June 5

Gandhi wrote to Gokhale that he would leave for India by mid-July in event of satisfactory settlement and termination of struggle.

1914, June 8

Bill read second time. Anjuman Islam wired Gandhi to press for acceptance of thumbprints for identification.

1914, June 9

Gandhi raised with E. M. Gorges question of examination by immigration authorities of applicants seeking entry into Natal.

1914, June 11

Randeree wired Gandhi that Bill vested in Government authority to declare 74,000 indentured Indians prohibited immigrants. Gandhi sought from Gorges reassurance as to interpretation of Bill.

1914, June 15

Rustomjee wired Gandhi for clarification of position of indentured Indians under Bill.

1914, June 17

Bill read third time, referred to Senate. In India, Lokamanya Tilak released after 6 years’ exile in Burma.

1914, June 18

First reading of Bill in Senate.

1914, June 19

Second reading of bill in Senate.

1914, June 20

Gandhi wrote to Marshall Campbell denying Indian opposition to Bill, refused to believe Bill had effect of making Indians prohibited immigrants. Rustomjee drew Gandhi’s attention to Mercury’s interpretation of Bill as adverse to indentured Indians.

1914, June 21

Sir David Hunter passed away at Edinburgh.

1914, June 22

Gorges informed Gandhi that Government had no intention to apply Bill adversely to indentured Indians.

1914, June after 22

Gandhi, in open letter, asserted he would fight any injustice from Bill.

1914, June 24

Gorges invited Gandhi for discussions.

1914, June 26

Relief Bill read third time in Senate.

1914, June 27

Gandhi had 2 hour interview with Smuts at Cape Town. Addressed European meeting held to felicitate him on passage of Bill.

1914, June 30

Wrote to E. M. Gorges that "passing of Indians’ Relief Bill… Finally closed the passive resistance struggle which commenced in September 1906".

1914, July 1

Accompanied by Kallenbach and Kasturba, left Cape for Phoenix; broke journey at Kimberley. Relief Act received Governor-General’s assent; latter cabled Colonial Office that agreement had been reached on "outstanding administrative points".

1914, July 1

New Zealand introduced Bill imposing language test to obstruct Asiatic entry.

1914, July 5

Gandhi spoke at Durban reception; stated at farewell banquet that Relief Act was act of justice, urgently needed in Imperial interest.

1914, July 8

Was presented with addresses at farewell meeting in Town Hall, Durban.

1914, July 9

Gandhi, Kasturba honored by Gujaratis, Dheds; addressed sports’ meet.

1914, July 10

Gandhi, addressed farewell gathering at Asiatic Location, Pretoria.

1914, July 11

Took leave of Phoenix Settlement.

1914, July 12

Addressed farewell meeting at Verulam; left for Johannesburg.

1914, July 13

Arrived at Johannesburg in evening; taken in procession, addressed mass meeting at Gaiety Theater.

1914, July 14

Given farewell banquet at Masonic Hall, Johannesburg; C. K. T. Naidoo presented him four sons for national service. Gandhi met European Committee, discussed Provisional Settlement. Interviewed by The Transvaal leader. Section of NIC, HIS protested to M

1914, July before 15

Gandhi addressed valedictory letter to South Africa Indians.

1914, July 15

Paid tributes to Valliamma, Nagappen, passive resisters at memorial unveiling ceremony at Bloemfontein Cemetery.

1914, July 15

Addressed meeting of TIWA, of Tamils and Muslims.

1914, July 16

Arrived at Pretoria at 8 a.m.; spoke at Indian Location; left for Cape Town.

1914, July 17

Reached Vereeniging.

1914, July 18

Arrived at Cape Town; taken in procession from Monument to docks, received address, made farewell speech; interviewed by the Cape Argus. Released valedictory letter to South Africa Indians; left for England on board s.s. Kinfauns Castle.

1914, July 20

Gandhi’s farewell letter published in the Press.

1914, July 22

Indian Opinion announced plan to issue "Golden Number" to commemorate struggle.

1914, July 24

Gazette published regulations regarding registration of marriages under Indians’ Relief Act.

1914, July 28

Further regulations under Immigration Act gazetted.

1914, August 2

Germany violated Belgian neutrality.

1914, August 3

Phoenix Party for India led by Maganlal Gandhi given sendoff at Durban.