Ahmedabad Mill Workers Movement - Modern Indian History Notes

Ahmedabad Mill Workers Movement

When did the Ahmedabad Mill Mazdoor Movement take place? What were the main reasons for the Ahmedabad Mill Workers Movement? Who led this movement? What were the results of the success of the Ahmedabad Mill Strike/Ahmedabad Mill Movement etc? If you are looking for questions, then their answers are given below.

By the year 1918, Gujarat had developed into a major trading area. Here mainly cotton textile mills and other industries were established prominently. It is here that the dispute between the mill owners and the mill workers in Ahmedabad is known as the Ahmedabad Mill Workers Movement.

What were the main reasons for the Ahmedabad Mill Workers Movement?

The main reason for this movement was the plague bonus dispute between the mill owners and the workers. Due to the outbreak of plague in Ahmedabad in 1917, mill workers started migrating, to prevent which the mill owners started giving plague bonuses to the workers every month. This bonus given by the mill owners was discontinued after there was some reduction in the outbreak of this disease. Mill workers, after the First World War (1914–1918) started demanding it not to be withdrawn and added to the monthly salary due to the high inflation. When this demand was rejected, the workers sat in this movement under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi.

When did the Ahmedabad Mill Mazdoor Movement take place?

The Ahmedabad Mill Mazdoor Movement was started on 15 March 1918 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Seeing the success of the Champaran movement, Gandhiji was invited by Anasuya Ben Sarabhai to the movement. Anasuya Ben Sarabhai herself was also the sister of Ambalal Sarabhai, a mill owner, who was a close friend of Gandhiji and Ambalal Sarabhai also donated the most to the construction of Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat.

Who led the Ahmedabad Mill Mazdoor Movement?

The Ahmedabad mill labor movement was initially led by Anasuya Ben Sarabhai. Later, at his request, Gandhiji joined this movement. Anusuiya Ben Sarabai supported Gandhiji till the end of the movement and even after that played a major role in many Indian independence movements.

A 20% wage increase was offered by the mill owners to end the Ahmedabad Mill Mazdoor Movement, but the workers remained adamant on the demand for 50% wages. Gandhiji, along with the workers, sat on a hunger strike after the demand for a hike in wages was rejected. This strike lasted for 21 days and finally seeing the seriousness of the matter, the mill owners decided to approach the tribunal. The tribunal accepted the demand of 35% in the wages of workers on the suggestion of Gandhiji.

What were the consequences of the success of the Ahmedabad Mill Mazdoor Movement?

1. Gandhi's first successful fast-unto-death movement - This was the first fast-unto-death movement by Gandhiji in the Indian independence movement, which was successful.
2. In 1918, Gandhiji established the "Ahmedabad Textile Labor Association".
3. A major role in the Indian success movement.
4. "Principle of Trusteeship" - During this movement, the "Principle of Trusteeship" was given by Gandhiji. Under this, it is the duty of the capitalists/mill owners to take care of the interest of the workers/employees working under them.

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