The Ahmedabad Textile Mill Labour Satyagraha of 1918 played a pivotal role in shaping the working class movement during India's freedom struggle. This significant event unfolded in February-March 1918 in Ahmedabad, with textile mill workers at the forefront, vehemently protesting against deplorable working conditions. The movement gained momentum when Mahatma Gandhi actively joined and advocated on behalf of the workers.

The Ahmedabad Textile Mill Labour Satyagraha of 1918 stands out as one of the three initial experiments in non-violent satyagraha methods by Gandhi in India. A noteworthy introduction during this Satyagraha was the utilization of the "hunger strike" as a powerful means to secure desired outcomes, impacting the Indian masses.

Background of Ahmedabad Mill Strike - Working Conditions

Poor Working Conditions and Labor Exploitation in Early 20th Century British India

During the early 20th century, industrial establishments across British India, including textile mills, witnessed poor working conditions and the exploitation of labor. Ahmedabad in Gujarat emerged as a prominent textile production center due to its strategic access to port, rail, and British enterprise. The textile mills were owned by Indian industrialists like Ambalal Sarabhai and British mill owners, yet mill workers endured harsh working environments.

Withdrawal of Plague Bonus: In 1917, an outbreak of the plague epidemic in Ahmedabad prompted mill owners to provide a 'Plague Bonus,' reaching up to 75% over regular wages, to discourage workers from leaving the town. However, after the epidemic waned, owners aimed to withdraw the bonus. In response, workers insisted on its continuation, citing the high cost of living.

Low Wages and Long Working Hours: Textile mill workers in Ahmedabad, primarily comprising poor peasants and migrants from rural areas, received meager wages. Their average monthly wage was approximately Rs 5, despite toiling for over 70 hours per week. Workdays extended between 12-15 hours in oppressive conditions, with women and children also subjected to forced labor. Urban living costs were on the rise.

War Profiteering by Mill Owners: As the Swadeshi principle gained momentum, mill owners sought extensive profits from the wartime textile boom before Indian independence. They attempted to exploit workers to maximize outputs, denying facilities such as leave, minimum wage, and accident compensation. Fines and abuse were rampant, and layoffs or wage cuts disproportionately affected workers during temporary production declines, despite soaring company profits.

Events leading to the Ahmedabad Mill Strike

The Prelude to the 1918 Ahmedabad Textile Labour Satyagraha

The Ahmedabad Textile Labour Satyagraha of 1918 was the culmination of a series of events and circumstances that paved the way for the strike. The key events leading to this historic movement are highlighted below:

Workers' Plight and Call for Strike: By 1918, textile mill workers in Ahmedabad were simmering with resentment due to their appalling conditions, contrasting starkly with the escalating profits of mill owners. Local leaders from emerging unions, such as Anasuya Sarabhai, passionately advocated for the workers' cause. Despite pleas for higher pay and regulated working hours, authorities remained indifferent. In early 1918, during a mass rally of mill workers, the decision to launch a nonviolent strike was made. The workers resolved to halt their work until owners ensured fair working conditions.

Gandhi's Arrival and Strike Demand: In February 1918, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was summoned to Ahmedabad to spearhead the brewing labor agitation. Gandhi orchestrated a pivotal meeting on February 22, during which the demands were finalized. These demands encompassed a 35% wage increase, an 8-hour workday, a weekly holiday, overtime pay, the abolition of fines, improvements in living conditions, and the reinstatement of dismissed workers, among others. The comprehensive list of demands was promptly forwarded to the mill owners.

Mahatma Gandhi's Role in Ahmedabad Mill Strike

Gandhi's Response to the Ahmedabad Textile Mill Workers' Appeal

Following the conclusion of his Champaran Movement, Gandhi promptly received an urgent appeal from the textile mill workers of Ahmedabad.

Mass Upsurge and Unity: In response to the mill owners' lack of positive action by the midnight deadline on February 22, Gandhi issued a call for a non-violent general strike. The subsequent morning witnessed over 100,000 textile laborers and their families peacefully picketing outside the mills as planned. The massive strike persisted for over a week, marked by disciplined non-violence under Gandhi's guidance. His presence invigorated the workers, fostering remarkable solidarity that transcended divisions of caste, religion, and language. The strike showcased unprecedented unity between Hindus and Muslims, overcoming communal distrust. Effective communication strategies, such as peace marches, slogans like "Ek tek," and distributed leaflets, played a crucial role in mobilizing disciplined, nonviolent mass action. Throughout the satyagraha, the workers maintained the initiative through their commitment to nonviolent resilience.

Partial Concession from British Authorities: Initially resistant, the mill owners gradually yielded to negotiations mediated by Gandhi. The compromise settlement met approximately 35% of the original demands, including a 20% wage hike. While deemed insufficient by many, Gandhi viewed the truce as a strategic victory for nonviolent pressure. The authorities were compelled to acknowledge the principles of fair working conditions and labor welfare.

Aftermath of the Strike: Per the agreement, workers resumed work pending further talks. However, the mill owners resorted to vindictive tactics, dismissing strike leaders and cutting wages, leading to a resurgence of protests. Fearing unrest, owners eventually agreed to reemploy dismissed workers and restore previous wage levels. Gradually, the situation normalized, though unresolved issues lingered.

Significance of Ahmedabad Mill Strike

The Ahmedabad Mill Strike of 1918 holds profound importance in India's quest for independence, despite its relatively modest scale. Its significance is encapsulated in the following points:

Boost to the Labour Movement in India: The success of the strike acted as a catalyst, fostering the growth of robust trade unions like the Ahmedabad Textile Labour Association. These unions embraced Gandhian principles of nonviolence, self-reliance, and employer-employee harmony.

Introduction of the Working Class into the National Movement: In the Gandhian era of the national movement, widespread mobilization involved diverse segments of the Indian population. Just as the Champaran Satyagraha marked the inclusion of the peasant class, the Ahmedabad strike played a pivotal role in bringing the working class into the national movement.

Fasting as a Means of Uniting Masses and Achieving Satyagraha: Gandhi's strategic use of fasting, compelling negotiated settlements without bloodshed, emerged as a powerful and potentially coercive weapon. This approach found application in subsequent instances throughout the national movement, bridging differences on social or communal lines among both British and Indian masses.

Promotion of Arbitration in Dispute Resolution: The principled self-sacrifice of the workers underscored the justice of their demands, highlighting the value of arbitration in resolving disputes through mutual agreement.

Skill Development: During the strike, workers not only pursued their demands but also gained valuable skills in activities such as construction and weaving at Gandhi's ashram, broadening their capabilities beyond the immediate labor context.

Conclusion

The Ahmedabad Mill Strike of 1918 served as a tangible demonstration of applying Gandhian approaches such as nonviolence, mass mobilization, fostering a healthy employee-employer relationship, and employing a constructive program-based approach to enhance workers' conditions. This strike not only elevated working-class solidarity against exploitation but also established crucial connections between the labor and national movements, injecting new vigor into India's freedom struggle.

FAQs on Ahmedabad Mill Strike

1. When did the Ahmedabad mill strike take place?

• The strike occurred in March 1918, with over 100,000 textile mill workers in Ahmedabad going on strike under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi.

2. What were the key demands of workers during the Ahmedabad Mill Strike?

• Main demands included a 35% wage increase, reduction of daily work hours to 8, a weekly holiday, overtime pay, cessation of fines, improved living conditions, and the reinstatement of dismissed workers.

3. How long did the Ahmedabad Mill Strike last?

• The general strike commenced on March 22 and continued steadfastly for over a week until a settlement was reached on March 18.

4. What was the role of Mahatma Gandhi in the Ahmedabad Mill Strike?

• Gandhi played a strategic role, organizing the strike, negotiating with mill owners, mobilizing workers through lectures and leaflets, and resolving disputes through compromise. His impactful use of fasting exerted moral pressure.

5. What were the outcomes of the Ahmedabad Mill Strike?

• The outcomes included approximately a 20% wage increase, acknowledgment of the necessity for fair labor practices, a boost to emerging trade unions, strengthened worker solidarity across communities, and national attention on labor issues.

6. Why is the 1918 Ahmedabad Mill Strike considered significant?

• It stands as a landmark event in India's freedom struggle, invigorating the participation of the working class through nonviolent mass action. The strike set influential precedents for satyagraha-based industrial agitations.