Background

The Ahmedabad Mill Workers’ Strike of 1918 was one of the earliest and most significant labor movements in India under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. It took place in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and marked the first major instance of Gandhi applying the principle of Satyagraha to an industrial dispute. The strike was an important step in uniting workers and demonstrating the power of non-violent protest in social and economic struggles.

The strike arose due to disputes between the mill owners and workers over wages during a period of economic hardship following World War I. Inflation had increased the cost of living, and the workers demanded a wage hike of 50 percent. The mill owners, however, agreed to only a 20 percent increase. The conflict intensified, leading to a strike that would become a model of peaceful labor protest in India.

Important Facts for Prelims Exams

  1. Year: 1918
  2. Place: Ahmedabad, Gujarat
  3. Leaders: Mahatma Gandhi, Anasuya Sarabhai, Shankarlal Banker
  4. Nature of Movement: Non-violent labor strike (Industrial Satyagraha)
  5. Duration: About 21 days
  6. Demand: 50 percent wage increase
  7. Outcome: Settlement through arbitration; 35 percent wage increase granted
  8. Significance: First successful application of Satyagraha in industrial relations

Main Provisions and Key Facts

  1. Background of the Dispute
    • During World War I, the prices of essential commodities rose sharply, making it difficult for mill workers to sustain their families.
    • The workers of Ahmedabad textile mills demanded a 50 percent increase in wages.
    • The mill owners refused and declared a lockout.
  2. Role of Mahatma Gandhi
    • Gandhi intervened as a mediator between mill owners and workers.
    • When negotiations failed, Gandhi supported the workers' decision to strike but insisted on maintaining peace and discipline.
    • He advised workers to rely on truth and non-violence, not aggression.
  3. Fasting by Gandhi
    • When workers started losing patience, Gandhi undertook a fast to reaffirm their commitment to non-violence and unity.
    • His moral authority inspired workers to continue peacefully.
    • The fast lasted three days and received national attention.
  4. Support from Anasuya Sarabhai
    • Anasuya Sarabhai, sister of industrialist Ambalal Sarabhai, played a crucial role in organizing the workers.
    • She later became one of the founding figures of the textile labor union movement in India.
  5. Settlement
    • The dispute was finally settled through arbitration.
    • The workers received a 35 percent wage increase.
    • The strike ended peacefully after about three weeks.
  6. Formation of Labor Organization
    • Following the strike, Gandhi established the Ahmedabad Textile Labour Association (Majdur Mahajan Sangh) in 1918.
    • It became one of India’s earliest and most successful trade unions, based on mutual trust and non-violence.

Significance

  1. The strike was the first example of applying Gandhian Satyagraha principles in an industrial dispute.
  2. It demonstrated that social and economic justice could be achieved through non-violent methods.
  3. The success of the strike strengthened Gandhi’s reputation as a national leader.
  4. It promoted unity between workers and set an example for future labor movements.
  5. The Ahmedabad Textile Labour Association became a model for ethical labor relations.
  6. It encouraged the working class to become a part of India’s larger freedom struggle.

Criticism or Limitations

  1. The strike did not bring any structural changes to the industrial system.
  2. Some critics argued that the moral approach was not sustainable without economic reforms.
  3. Dependence on Gandhi’s personal leadership limited the independent strength of labor unions.
  4. The success was localized and did not immediately spread to other industrial centers.

Despite these limitations, the Ahmedabad Mill Strike remained an inspiring example of moral power and organized resistance.

Key Points for Exams

  1. Year: 1918
  2. Place: Ahmedabad, Gujarat
  3. Main Leaders: Mahatma Gandhi, Anasuya Sarabhai, Shankarlal Banker
  4. Demand: 50% wage increase; settled at 35%
  5. Nature: Non-violent labor strike (Industrial Satyagraha)
  6. Organization formed: Ahmedabad Textile Labour Association (1918)
  7. Duration: 21 days
  8. Significance: First use of Gandhian methods in a labor dispute
  9. Result: Strengthened faith in Satyagraha as an instrument of justice
  10. Governor during the strike: Sir George Lloyd (Bombay Presidency)

In Short

The Ahmedabad Mill Workers’ Strike (1918) was Gandhi’s first experiment in applying Satyagraha to labor issues. It united workers through truth and non-violence and secured a fair wage increase, establishing a foundation for ethical labor movements in India.