The Salt March, also known as the Dandi March, was a pivotal moment in India's fight for independence from British rule. Commencing on March 12, 1930, Mahatma Gandhi and a group of around 78 followers began a 240-mile journey from Sabarmati Ashram to the coastal village of Dandi. The march was a direct action against the British-imposed salt tax, which exploited India's natural resources and harmed Indian producers. Gandhi’s determination to peacefully escalate resistance galvanized millions of Indians and led to widespread acts of defiance against British laws.

Upon reaching the coastline of Dandi, Gandhi picked up a lump of mud and salt, symbolically asserting that every Indian had the right to make salt and challenge the British monopoly. His declaration, "With this, I am shaking the foundations of the British Empire," conveyed both a message of empowerment and a challenge to colonial authority. The act of producing salt was a form of nonviolent resistance known as Satyagraha, which demonstrated the effectiveness of passive resistance in the face of oppression.

The Salt March not only demonstrated Gandhi’s leadership but also united various factions of Indian society against British policies. It prompted a mass civil disobedience movement across India, encouraging people to boycott British goods and institutions. Subsequently, thousands of Indians were jailed, but the movement continued to gain momentum and attracted international attention, showcasing the unfairness of colonial rule. As a significant catalyst for the greater independence movement, it helped set the stage for future negotiations with the British government and eventually led to India's independence in 1947.