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Chronology / Time Line
1933 - 1948
 

1933

Feb

11

Founds the weekly paper Harijan, published in English and Hindi.

May

08

Commences at noon 21 days’ fast for self-purification; released unconditionally at 9 p.m.

09

Announces suspension of Civil Disobedience movement for six weeks and calls on the Government to withdraw its Ordinances.

29

Breaks fast.

July

26

Disbands Satyagraha Ashram.

30

Informs Government of Bombay of his decision to march from Ahmedabad to Ras with 33 followers to revive Civil Disobedience movement.

31

Arrested and imprisoned without trial.

Aug

04

Released and rearrested for breaking a restraint order.

16

Goes on fast on being denied facilities to carry on anti-untouchability propaganda.

23

Released and reasserted for breaking a restraint order.

Nov

07

Commences Harijan-uplift tour.

1934

Sept

17

Announces decision to retire from politics from October I to engage himself in development of village industries, Harijan service and education through basic crafts.

Oct

26

Inaugurates All-India Village Industries Association.

1936

April

30

Settles down at Sevagram, a village near Wardha in the Central Provinces, Making it his headquarters.

1937

Oct

22

Presides over Educational Conference at Wardha and outlines his scheme of education through basic crafts.

1939

March

03

Commences ‘fast unto death’ at Rajkot to secure Ruler’s adherence to promise given to reform administration, and ends it on March 7 on Viceroy’s intervention.

1940

July & Sept

Meets Viceroy by invitation in connection with war situation.

Oct

Sanctions individual civil disobedience; suspends Harijan and allied weeklies following official demand for pro-censor-ship of reports and writings in Harijan on the subject of satyagraha.

1941

Dec

30

At his own request is relieved of his leadership of Congress by Working Committee.

1942

Jan

18

Restarts Harijan and allied weeklies.

March

27

Meets Sir Stafford Cripps in New Delhi; later declares Cripps proposals to be a ‘post-dated cheque’.

May

Appeals to British Government to quit India.

Aug

08

Addresses A.I.C.C. session in Bombay on implications of Quit India resolution.

09

Arrested and interned in Aga Khan’s Palace at Poona.

15

Death of Mahadev Desai, Gandhiji’s personal secretary, from heart failure, in Aga Khan’s Palace.

Aug-Dec

Corresponds with Viceroy and Government of India regarding disturbances.

1943

Feb

10

Commences 21 days’ fast, which he breaks on March 3.

1944

Feb

22

Kasturba Gandhi dies in Aga Khan’s Palace.

May

06

Released unconditionally.

Sept

09-27

Carries on talks with M. A. Jinnah regarding Pakistan.

Oct

02

Presentation of purse of 110 lakhs of rupees (£ 8,25,000) for Kasturba Memorial on occasion of 75th birthday.

1945

April

17

In a statement regarding the ensuing San Francisco Conference says that peace is impossible without equality and freedom of India. Also demands a just peace for Germany and Japan.

Dec

19

Lays foundation stone of C. F. Andrews’ Memorial Hospital at Santiniketan.

1945-46

Dec-Jan

Tours Bengal and Assam.

1946

Jan & Feb

Tours Southern India for anti-untouchability and Hindustani propaganda.

Feb

10

Revives Harijan and allied group of weekly journals.

April

Participates in political talks with Cabinet Mission in Delhi.

May

05-12

In Simla; Simla Conference in session; deliberations prove infructuous.

16

Cabinet Mission announces Plan.

18-19

Discusses Plan with Cabinet Mission.

26

Considers Plan best document produced by British Government under circumstances.

June

06

In Mussoorie.

07

Returns to Delhi.

10

Refuses to enthuse over Allied victory as not being ‘victory of truth over false-hood’.

11

Viceroy interviews Gandhiji, moots proposal of Coalition Government at Centre.

16

Cabinet Mission negotiations discontinued; Viceroy proposes Interim Government.

18

Congress Working Committee decides to accept Interim Government scheme.

20-01

Attends Working Committee meeting. Gandhiji is seen by Cripps.

23

Advises Congress not to enter Interim Government, but only Constituent Assembly.

24

Meets Cabinet Mission.

28

Leaves Delhi for Poona; attempts made to derail train en route.

July

07

Addresses A.I.C.C. meeting at Bombay; Congress accepts Cabinet Mission plan of May 16.

31

Jinnah threatens sanctions of ‘Direct Action’.

Aug

12

Viceroy announces invitation to Congress to form provisional Government.

Aug

16-18

The ‘Great Calcutta Killing’.

24

Viceroy Wavell broadcasts Plan.

27

Gandhiji cables warning to British Government against repetition of ‘Bengal tragedy’; also writes to Wavell.

Sept

04

Interim Government formed.

26

Has interview with Wavell.

Oct

09

Jinnah’s 9-point demands conveyed to Congress.

10

Noakhali Massacre.

15

Muslim League agrees to enter Interim Government.

28

Leaves for Calcutta. Riots break out in Bihar.

Nov

06

Leaves for Noakhali; issues statement on ‘Partial Fast’.

Noakhali tour begins.

20

Starts tour without party.

Dec

20

Completes month-long sojourn at Srirampur.

25

At Noakhali, says: "I ma being tested through and through…."

30

Jawaharlal Nehru calls on Gandhiji, who says: "My reason wholly supports my heart".

1947

Jan

02

Says: "All around me is utter darkness".

Leaves Srirampur on walking tour.

03-29

In Bihar, touring riot-affected areas.

30

Leaves Patna for Delhi.

Mountbatten, new Viceroy, arrives in Delhi.

April

01-02

Gandhiji addresses Asian Relations Conference in Delhi.

15

Issues with Jinnah joint appeal for communal peace.

29

In Bihar.

May

01

Congress Working Committee accepts Partition in principle.

05

in interview, Gandhiji denies that communal division of India is inevitable.

24

Leaves Bihar for Delhi.

31

Declares peace must precede partition, he would not be party to India’s vivisection.

June

02

Viceroy’s Partition plan revealed; Congress Working Committee conveys acceptance.

03

Indian leaders broadcast on Mountbatten Plan.

06

Gandhiji writes to Mountbatten, with Pakistan conceded, to persuade Jinnaj to amicable settle all outstanding points with Congress.

12

Addresses Congress Working Committee.

July

‘Independence of India Bill’ passed.

27

Appeals to Princes to regard people’s paramountacy as a privilege.

Aug

14

Hails following day as one of rejoicing for deliverance from, British bondage; but deplores Partition. Pakistan is born.

Aug

15

Hindu-Muslim fraternization in Calcutta.

16

Hails ‘Miracle of Calcutta’.

Sept

01

Considers Calcutta peace nine-day’s wonder, decides on fast.

02

Is mobbed in Calcutta house; gives up idea of Noakhali visit. Peace efforts intensified.

04

Breaks fast.

07

Leaves Calcutta for Delhi; commences daily visits to riot-racked areas.

24

Pakistan raiders invade Kashmir.

25

Kashmir accedes to Indian Union.

26

Criticises Churchill’s ‘holocaust in India’. Statement.

Nov

01

Indian troops enter Junagadh

08

Junagadh accedes to India.

Addresses A.I.C.C.

11

‘Defends Junagadh’s accession to India.

Dec

25

Pleads for amicable settlement between India and Pakistan.

30

India refers Kashmir dispute to U.N.

1948

Jan

12

Decides to fast for communal peace in Delhi; Mountbatten fails to dissuade Gandhiji.

15

Enters ‘danger zone’. Hails Indian Cabinet’s decision to release Pakistan dues of Rs. 550 million. Fast continues for establishment of communal peace.

17

Doctors warn fast must be ended. Central Peace Committee formed, decides on ‘Peace Pledge’.

18

Peace Committee signs, presents ‘Peace Pledge’ to Gandhiji, who breaks fast.

20

Bomb explodes at prayer meeting.

27

Visits Mehrauli Muslim Fair.

29

Angry refugees ask Gandhiji to retire to the Himalayas.

30

Drafts constitution of a Congress transformed into Lok Sevak Sangh.

Is assassinated on way to evening prayer.