Date | Place | Number of days spent | Significant Event | Significant Letters/Interviews | CWMG Reference |
1896 | |||||
4-Jul-1896 | Calcutta | 1 |
Arrives in Calcutta aboard the SS Pangola starting on 6 May 1896 from Durban, South Africa. Leaves Calcutta the same day by train for Allahabad en route to Bombay and Rajkot. |
||
31 October 1-14 November |
31 October 1896, Calcutta |
15 | Arrives by train from Madras. Stays at the Great Eastern Hotel. |
Interview to The Statesman, CWMG Vol. II pp. 95 - 97 |
Notes from Autobiography CWMG Vol XXXIX, pp. 147 - 149 |
1-14 November- leaves for Bombay |
Recives a telegram from South Africa on 12th November, 1896 RETURN SOON | ||||
1901-1902 | |||||
23 December 1901-28 January 1902 |
Calcutta. 28 January- leaves on SS Goa for Rangoon |
37 |
Arrives by train from Bombay to attend annual session of the Indian National Congress presided over by Sir Dinshaw Wacha; Lord Curzon is Viceroy. Puts up at India Club. Attends Congress session on 27th December and speaks on the condition of Indians in South Africa. Later meets Kalicharan Banerji, Pratap Chandra Majumdar, Sister Nivedita. Goes on foot to Belur to see Swami Vivekananda, but is unable to meet him who is unwell and staying in Calcutta. Attends the first death anniversary observance of Mahadev Govind Ranade at the residence of Gopal Krishna Gokhale on 16 the January. |
Speech at public meeting held at the Albert Hall on 19th January, CWMG Vol. III pp. 255 - 257 |
Notes from Autobiography CWMG Vol XXXIX, pp. 182 - 191 |
20-21 February |
Calcutta. 21 February-leaves by train (Class III) for Benaras |
2 |
Returns to Calcutta on the 20th and leaves on the 21st by train (Class III) for Benaras: Gokhale and Dr P.C. Ray see him off. |
Notes from Autobiography CWMG Vol XXXIX, p. 193 |
|
1915 | |||||
17-20 February |
17-19 February- Santiniketan |
4 |
Arrives in Santiniketan with Kasturba from Bombay; declines to ride in a carriage.Is accorded a reception in traditional Indian style; Tagore is not present. Makes the acquaintance of Acharya J.B. Kripalani and Kakasaheb Kalelkar; Meets C.F. Andrews |
Speech at Santiniketan Reception, CWMG Vol XIII, p. 24 |
Notes from Autobiography CWMG Vol XXXIX, p. 302 |
20 February- leaves for Poona |
Learns in the morning of the death of Gokhale in Poona and decides to leave at once for Poona |
Notes from Autobiography CWMG Vol XXXIX, pp. 304 - 305 |
|||
6-11 March |
Santiniketan, from Bombay |
6 | Returns to Santiniketan from Bombay. Meets Rabindra Tagore for the first time on 6 March. With the help of Rabindra Tagore (whom he begins referring to as 'the Poet'), initiates self-help experiment at Santiniketan. |
Notes from Autobiography CWMG Vol XXXIX, p. 303 |
|
12-14 March | Calcutta | 3 |
Accompnied by Kasturba, arrives in Calcutta to a reception given by the Gujarati Association of Calcutta. On the 13th March, Welcome Reception at Maharaja of Cossim Bazar's residence in honour of him. Leaves Calcutta for Rangoon on 14th with Ramdas Gandhi and Chhaganlal Gandhi by SS Lanka |
Speech at Santiniketan Reception, CWMG Vol XIII, pp. 35 - 36 |
Notes from Autobiography CWMG Vol XXXIX, p. 307 |
28-31 March |
28-30 March- Calcutta |
Returns to calcutta on 28th March. Stays with C.R. Das. Meeting with teachers of National College on 30 th March |
|||
31 March-3 April- Santiniketan |
Addresses students on the futility of the path of violent resistance to foreign rule on the 31 st instance in Calcutta. Leaves for Santiniketan. Discussion with Rabindranath Tagore, C. F. Andrews and teachers in Santiniketan. |
Speech at Students' Hall, Calcutta CWMG Vol XIII, pp. 44 - 46 |
Notes from Autobiography CWMG Vol XXXIX, p. 309 |
||
1917 | |||||
6-11 March | Calcutta | 6 |
Arrives in Calcutta from Delhi; Stays at the residence of Maharaja of Cossim Bazar. Addresses meeting at the Town Hall on the indentured labour system; Declares that India cannot toleate indentured emigration 'a minute longer than 31st May.' |
||
7-9 April | Calcutta | 3 |
Arrives to attend All-India Congress Committee meeting which decides to send an eight-member deputation to England for Congress work. |
||
30 November | Calcutta | 1 | Arrives in Calcutta from Delhi; Leaves for Ahmedabad | ||
25-31 December | Calcutta | 7 |
Arrives in Calcutta from Motihari. Meets Mrs. Besant, Tilak, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya and others; Speaks in Hindi at the 32nd Congress session. |
to be filled in using library copy, CWMG Vol 14 | |
1920 | |||||
3-17 September |
3-11 September - Calcutta |
15 |
Arrives in Calcutta to attend the session of Indian National Congress presided over by Lala Lajpat Rai; Chairs session of All-India Home Rule League on 4th September. Drafts resolution on non-cooperation on the 5th instance. Addresses Congress' Subjects Committee on non-cooperation. His resolution is passed by a majority vote. Attends Congress meet at which decision is taken to make non-cooperation cover (a) government departments, (b) government celebrations, (c) government-run or government-associated eucational institutions, (d) courts, (e) employment opportunities in Mesopotamia, (f) legislatures, (g) foreign cloth. |
Speech at Calcutta Congress, CWMG Vol. XVIII, p. 224 The Non-Cooperation Resolution, CWMG Vol. XVIII, pp. 230 - 231 Speech at Subjects Committee Meeting, CWMG Vol. XVIII, pp. 233 - 235 Speech on Non-Cooperation Resolution,CWMG Vol. XVIII, pp. 245 - 255 Speech at A.I.C.C. Meeting, CWMG Vol. XVIII, pp. 256 - 257 |
|
12-17 September- Santiniketan |
Arrives in Santiniketan at the request of C.F. Andrews. |
Speech to inmates of Shantiniketan, CWMG Vol XVIII, pp. 264 - 266 |
|||
13-17 December |
13 December - Calcutta |
5 | Arrives in Calcutta from Bhagalpur; Addresses public meeting on non-cooperation. | Speech on Non-Cooperation,CWMG Vol. XIX, pp. 102 - 107 | |
15 December- Dacca |
Welcome gatherings, including by women. | Speech to Students; CWMG Vol. XIX, pp. 124 - 129 | |||
16 December - Narayanganj |
Leaves by SS Gurkha for Calcutta |
Discussion aboard the "Gurkha", CWMG Vol.
XIX, pp. 130 - 137 |
|||
17 December - Calcutta |
Accompnied by Maulana Shaukat Ali, leaves Calcutta for Nagpur |
Letter to Sarladevi Chowdharani, CWMG Vol. XIX, pp. 137 - 138 |
|||
1921 | |||||
23 January - 4 February |
Calcutta | 13 |
Accompnied by Kasturba and Maulana Shaukat Ali, arrives in Calcutta from Bombay. Stays with C.R. Das. Addresses various gatherings of students, women, merchants, Marwari women, etc. Addresse six meetings opposing new legislations unveiled by the Duke of Connaught. Speaks at meetings in Mirzapur Park and Wellington Square, Calcutta to express siappointment with Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms. |
Speech at Mirzapur Park, CWMG Vol
XIX, pp.
264 -
274 Speech at Women's Meeting, CWMG Vol XIX, pp. 274 - 275 Speech at Merchants' Meeting, CWMG Vol XIX, pp. 279 - 283 Speech to Post-Graduate and Law Students, CWMG Vol XIX, pp. 293 - 295 Speech at Belur Math, CWMG Vol XIX, pp. 307 - 308 Letter to C.F. Andrews, CWMG Vol XIX, pp. 288 - 290 Letter to Duke of Connaught, CWMG Vol XIX, pp. 310 - 312 |
|
22 March | Calcutta | 1 | In Calcutta from Jabalpur for a day on way to Cuttack. | ||
17 August | Calcutta | 1 |
In Calcutta for a day on way from Patna to Assam. Addresses public meeting in the evening at Mirzapur Park. |
||
29 August- 13 September | 29 August- Sylhet | 16 | Arrives in Sylhet from Silchar | ||
31 August-Feni, Chittagong |
Stays with Jatindra Mohan Sen Gupta in Chittagong. Discussions with striking workers of railway and ferryboat. |
||||
2 September- Chandpur, Barisal |
Visits National School in Chandpur. At Barisal stays with Ashwini Kumar Datta | ||||
3 September- Barisal |
Meeting with merchants, strikers, Khilafat workers. | ||||
4 September- Khulna |
Stays with Harilal Gandhi. Goes to the residence of C.R. Das | ||||
5 September- Calcutta |
Observes a day of silence | ||||
6 September - Calcutta |
Visited Tagore home at Jorasanko for discussion with Rabindranath Tagore on the charkha at the behest of C.F.Andrews. C.F. Andrews, who was present , says that they had a 'difference of temparament so wide that it was extremely difficult to arrive at a common intellectual standing, though the moral ties of friendship remained entirely unbroken.....' Attended meeting of Congress Working Committee (CWC) |
||||
7-12 September- Calcutta |
CWC meeting continues. Incinerates foreign cloth. |
||||
13 September- Midnapore |
Procession and welcome address at Midnapore and Kharagpur. Entrains for Madras. | ||||
1924 | |||||
4-7 November | Calcutta | 4 |
Arrives in Calcutta from Delhi; Stays with C.R. Das; this is the first time he is seen in his 'loin cloth' in Bengal. Discussions with Swaraj Party |
Joint Statement with Swaraj Party Leaders CWMG Vol XXV, pp. 288 - 289 |
|
1925 | |||||
1-May | Calcutta | 1 |
Arrives from Bombay. Taken in a chariot from the station. Stays with C.R. Das. Public meeting attended by 10,000 persons. |
Interview to The Statesman,CWMG Vol.
XXVII, pp. 1
- 3 Speech at Public Meeting, Calcutta, CWMG Vol. XXVII, pp. 4 - 9 |
|
2-3 May | Faridapur | 2 | Addresses a number of gatherings in Faridpur |
Reply to Civic Address, Faridpur , CWMG Vol. XXVII,pp. 26 - 27 |
|
4-23 May | 4 May-Calcutta | 20 |
Three-hour long discussion with his son Harilal on the latter's personal and professional problems. |
||
5 May- Chandernagore, Calcutta |
Julius G. Lay, American Consul calls. | ||||
6 May- Calcutta | Participates in mass spinning with Acharya P.C. Ray at Mirzapur Park. |
Speech at Ashtanga Ayurveda Vidyalaya, CWMG Vol
XXVII, pp. 43 - 46 |
|||
7 May- starts tour of East Bengal; Goalando |
Greets Rabindranath Tagore on his birthday eve. | Letter to Rabindranath Tagore, CWMG Vol XXVII,p. 60 | |||
8 May - Malikanda, Bhagyakul, Lohagunj |
Recieves purse of Rs. 5,000 at Lohagunj | ||||
9 May - Dighirpur, Taltola, Malkhanagar |
Speech at public meeting, Dighirpur, CWMG Vol
XXVII, pp. 66 - 67 |
||||
10-11 May - Chandpur |
Meets students at National School. |
Letter to Maganlal Gandhi, CWMG Vol
XXVII,p.73 Speech at National School, CWMG Vol XXVII,p. 76 |
|||
12 May - Feni, Mahajanhat |
Speech at Public meeting, CWMG Vol XXVII,pp. 88 - 91 | ||||
13 May - Chittagong, Noakhali |
Meetings of students, merchants, fishermen and sweepers. | ||||
14 May - Noakhali |
Reply to Women's Address, CWMG Vol XXVII,p. 99 | ||||
15 May - Comilla |
Reply to Welcome Address by Abhay Ashram, CWMG Vol XXVII,pp. 101 - 102 | ||||
16 May - Comilla |
Attends women's meeting. | ||||
17 May - Narayanganj, Dacca |
Speech at public meeting, Dacca, CWMG Vol
XXVII, pp. 120 - 122 |
||||
18 May - Mymensingh |
Stays with Maharaja | ||||
21 May - Dinajpur |
|||||
22 May - Bogra, Taloda |
Speech at Taloda, CWMG Vol XXVII,p. 145 | ||||
23 May - Pabna | |||||
24-28 May |
24 May - Mymensingh |
5 | Arrives in Calcutta and goes to the residence of C.R. Das | Bengal's Sacrifice, CWMG Vol XXVII,pp. 146 - 147 | |
25 May - Burdwan |
|||||
26 May - Hooghly |
|||||
27-28 May - Calcutta |
Arrives in Calcutta from Chinsura, Hooghly by steamer. Meets Mrs. Besant,Rabindranath Tagore. Public meeting at Harish Park, Bhowanipore, Calcutta |
"Drawbacks", published in YI, CWMG Vol
XXVII,pp. 159 -
161 Speech at Public Meeting, CWMG Vol XXVII,pp. 168 - 170 |
|||
29 May - 1 June |
Santiniketan | 4 |
In Santiniketan, meets Rabindranath Tagore. Discusses social issues, charkha and khaddar programme with him. Interview to Dr. Henry W. Bunn Moreno, General President of the Anglo-Indian League, Calcutta |
Interview to Dr. Henry W. Bunn Moreno, CWMG Vol
XXVII, pp. 182 - 185 "Entering Villages", published in Navajivan, CWMG Vol XXVII,pp. 177 - 178 |
|
1 June - Bolpur | |||||
2-Jun | Calcutta | 1 | Arrives in Calcutta from Bolpur | ||
3-17 June |
3-9 June - Darjeeling |
15 | Arrives in Darjeeling and stays with C.R. Das |
"In Bengal" published in Navajivan, CWMG Vol
XXVII,pp.
209
-
213; Letter to the Editor, "The World", CWMG Vol XXVII, p. 214 |
|
10 June - Jalpaiguri |
Talks to students |
Talk to Volunteers, CWMG Vol XXVII,p. 215 |
|||
11 June - Nawabganj |
|||||
12 June - Japsa, Bojeswar, Upasi |
|||||
13 June - Madaripur |
Sees cotton spinning demonstration by former sex workers. Discussions with Shanti Sena |
||||
14 - 17 June - Barisal |
In Barisal. Visits Oxford Mission weaving shed. Declines welcome address from sex-workers as they do not discontinue their profession. C.R. Das passes away on 16th June. He addresses public meeting on 17th. |
Speech at Public Meeting, CWMG Vol XXVII, pp. 249 - 252 |
|||
18 June - 3 July |
Calcutta | 16 |
In Calcutta. Assists in removing C.R. Das' mortal remains from carriage. Joins funeral procession. Meets Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy for the first time at the house of the late C.R. Das. Appeals , through Navajivan, for meetings throughout country on 1 July, 'C.R. Das Day', and for taking the spinning pledge. |
"A Domestic Chapter" published in YI, CWMG VolXXVII, pp. 259 - 262 Speech on the Shraddha Day of C.R.Das , CWMG Vol XXVII, pp. 315 - 318 |
|
4-8 July |
4 July - Khara gpur, Contai, Midnapore |
In Kharagpur, speaks at a public meeting. |
Speech at Public Meeting, Kharagpur, CWMG Vol XXVII,p. 332 |
||
5-7 July - Midnapore |
In Midnapore dines at 'Maharani's' residence. | ||||
8 July - Bankura | |||||
9-Jul | 9 July - Calcutta | 1 |
At Swarajist Councillors' meeting, urges J.M. Sen Gupta's election as Mayor, succeeding C.R. Das |
"At Darjeeling" published in YI, CWMG Vol
XXVII, pp. 354 - 361 |
|
10-12 July |
10 July - Siraganj |
3 | |||
11 July - Naogaon, Atrai, Rajshahi |
|||||
12 July - Rajshahi, Natore |
|||||
13-14 July | 13 July, Calcutta | 2 | |||
14 July, Jessore, Jhinkergacha, Khalispur |
|||||
15 July-4 August | Calcutta | 21 |
Attends CWC session. Also attends Swaraj Party meeting, though not a member. Addresse Bengal Agarwal Association. Speaks on Kristodas Pal's death anniversary. Dr Moreno calls. Addresses Christian missionaries at YMCA. Addresses public meeting to mark death anniversary of Tilak at Albert Hall; exhorts people to work for swaraj through khaddar and spinning. |
Speech at European Association Meeting, CWMG Vol
XXVII, pp.
418 -
421; Letter to the Statesman; CWMG Vol XXVII, pp. 462 - 464 |
|
5-6 August |
5 August - Berhampore, Azimganj, Ziaganj |
2 | |||
6 August - Azimganj, Nashipur, Lalbagh, Berhampore |
Learns of the demise of Surendranath Banerjea | ||||
7-Aug | Calcutta | 1 | Visits the bereaved family of Surendranath Banerjea | ||
10-18 August |
10-13 August - Calcutta |
9 |
Addresses Christian Youth at the Central YMCA on the 'Duty of Young Men'. Mr. Weston presides. |
Speech at YMCA, CWMG Vol
XXVIII,p.
57 "The Lion of Bengal" published in YI, CWMG Vol XXVIII, pp. 57 - 58 |
|
14 August - Dakshineswar, Serampore |
|||||
15-18 August - Calcutta |
Addresses condolence meeting for Surendranath Banerjea at Town Hall. Addresses Rotary Club on economic and spiritual value of the charkha. Leaves for Cuttack. |
||||
21-26 August |
21 - 25 August - Calcutta |
6 |
Returns to Calcutta; giving interview to The Englishman explains his stand on Shaheed Suhrawardy's resignation from Swaraj Party. Visits Titagarh on 24th August in the context of Hindu-Muslim riots of the previous day and talks to community leaders. Addresses YMCA at Overton Hall. |
Speech at YMCA, Calcutta, CWMG Vol XXVIII,pp. 107 - 109 |
|
26 August - Titagarh |
In an interview with members of Psycho-analytical Society, discusses factors responsible for Hindu-Muslim problem. |
||||
27 August - 1 September | Calcutta | 6 |
Attends memorial meeting for C.R. Das at YMCA. Unveils the portraits of C.R. Das and Surendranath Banerjea at Homeo Hospital. Is felicitated by the students of Calcutta Homeopathic College and given a manapatra. |
"My Notes", published in Navajivan, CWMG Vol
XXVIII, pp. 137 - 139 |
|
1926-1927 | |||||
23 December | Calcutta | 1 |
Accompnied by Kasturba, Devadas Gandhi, Mahadev Desai and Seth Jamnalal Bajaj, arrives in Calcutta for a day's transit en route to Gauhati. Stays with Raghumal Khandelwal. |
||
30 December, 1926 - 3 January, 1927 |
30 December, 1926 - 2 January, 1927 - Calcutta 3 January - Sodepur |
5 |
Addresses meeting to mourn the assasination of Swami Shraddhanand. Attends the second day's sitting of the Indian Industrial and Commercial Congress Meeting at Dalhousie Institute on 1st January.The two most important resolutions adopted are those relating to the Currency Commission's report and the constitution, draft rules and by-laws of the proposed Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce. |
||
Day to Day with Gandhi (Mahadev Desai) Vol. IX |
|||||
1927 |
Day to Day with Gandhi (Mahadev Desai) Vol. IX |
||||
4-6 January | Comilla | 3 |
Leaves for Comilla. Visits Abhay Ashram and Namasudra school. Women's meeting. Addresses a meeting convened by the House of Labour; |
Day to Day with Gandhi (Mahadev Desai) Vol. IX |
|
1-Feb | Calcutta | 1 | In Calcutta, on a day's transit halt travelling from Patna to the Central Provinces. |
Day to Day with Gandhi (Mahadev Desai) Vol. IX |
|
1928-1929 | |||||
23 December 1928 - 3 January 1929 | Calcutta | 12 |
Arrives in Calcutta from Sambalpur; Attends CWC and AICC meeting. Attends session of Congress Subjects Committee. Moves resolution on constructive programme at the Subjects Committee meeting during the annual session of Indian National Conngress. Addresses Congress' open session, giving the British Government a time limit - till 31 December, 1929 - failing which non-cooperation will resume. |
Speech on Resolution on Nehru Report, Calcutta Congress-II, CWMG Vol. XXXVIII, pp. 283 - 296 "What is in a name?", published in YI, CWMG Vol. XXXVIII, pp.296 - 298 |
|
1929 | |||||
3-5 March | Calcutta | 3 |
Arrives in Calcutta on his way to Rangoon from Delhi. Stays at Khadi Pratishthan, Sodepur, with Satis Chandra Dasgupta. Speaks at public meeting and then sets a pile of foreign clothes aflame. |
Speech at public meeting, Calcutta, CWMG Vol.
XL, pp.
77 -
81 Letter to Mirabehn, CWMG Vol. XL, pp. 74 - 75 Statement to the Press, CWMG Vol. XL, pp. 82 - 84 |
|
24-26 March | Calcutta | 3 |
Returns to Calcutta from Rangoon. Addresses public meeting at Halliday Park.Makes a bonfire of foreign cloth once again. Case on the 4 March cloth-burning incident starts on 26th March. Leaves for Delhi. Found guilty in the case. Sentenced to a token fine of Rs. 1 |
||
1934 | |||||
19-21 July | Calcutta | 3 |
Accompnied by Kasturba, Mahadev Desai, Pyarelal and others, arrives in Calcutta in the morning from Lahore. Rabindranath Tagore comes to see him. Addresses and meetings throughout stay. |
Speech at Town Hall, Calcutta, CWMG Vol. LVIII, pp. 221 - 222 |
|
1937 | |||||
26 October - 17 November |
26 October - 16 November - Calcutta |
23 |
Arrives in Calcutta from Segaon, accompnied by Mahadev Desai. Stays at the residence of Sarat Chandra Bose. Discussions with Rabindranath Tagore. Attends CWC meeting. Meets Andman prisoners brought to Alipore Jail. Sends a cheque for Rs. 13,010 to Rabindranath Tagore (courtesy Birla Family) for the needs of Santiniketan and makes some arrangements for its future financial security. Meets the Governor of Bengal on the 9th instance to discuss Andaman prisoners' issue. on learning that more than a thousand detenus had been released, Rabindranath Tagore pleads for creating '..moral atmosphere of non-violence..' Says, 'If we fail to carry it (assurance given by Gandhi) out we shall have betrayed the trust of our greatest benefactor...' Discussion with Finance Minister, Nalini Ranjan Sarkar, Premier Huq, Home Minister Nazimuddin and others on the release of detenus and Andaman prisoners. |
"Talk with Andaman's Prisoners" published in Harijan, CWMG Vol. LXVI, p. 281 Letter to Amrit Kaur, CWMG Vol. LXVI, p. 282 Letter to Rabindranath Tagore; CWMG Vol. LXVI, p. 289 |
|
17 November - Kharagpur |
Leaves Calcutta for Kharagpur by train and meets prisoners in Hijli Cantonment. Following his negotiations, the Bengal Government announces release of 1,000 detenus. |
Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru, CWMG Vol. LXVI, pp. 296 - 298 |
|||
1938 | |||||
16-24 March | Calcutta | 9 |
Arrives from Segaon. Stays with Sarat Chandra Bose. C.F. Andrews calls. Harijan MLAs and Shamsuddin Ahmed call. Discussions with MLAs, Subhas Chandra Bose and Maulana Azad Meets Governor, Lord Brabourne, to discuss prisoners' issue. Rabindranath Tagore calls. Shri Dilip Kumar Roy sings after the prayer meeting. A.K. Chanda calls and discusses Assam political situation. Appeals to the public not to agitate over the prisoners' issue and appeals to prisoners to be patient. Accompnied by Dr Rajendra Prasad, Vallabhbhai Patel and Acharya J.B. Kripalani leaves for Deland, Orissa to attend Gandhi Seva Sangh session |
Letter to M.A. Jinnah, CWMG Vol. LXVI, p. 411 |
|
1-13 April | Calcutta | 13 |
Returns to Calcutta from Delang, Orissa for CWC meeting. Stays at Sarat Chandra Bose's residence. Maharaja of Cossim Bazar calls. Maharaja of Darbhanga calls; Finance Minister, Nalini Ranjan Sarkar calls; Home Minister calls to discuss the Andaman prisoners' issue. G.D. Birla calls. Despite ill-health, has a two-hour-long meeting with Governor, Lord Brabourne, on the prisoners' issue. Meets prisoners at the Presidency Jail; Meets 14 Regulation III prisoners and four women political convicts. Visits Alipore Jail to meet political prisoners and Dum Dum Jail to meet prisoners brought from the Andamans. |
Letter to Amrit Kaur, CWMG Vol.
LXVII, p.
2; Interview to Associated Press, CWMG Vol. LXVII, p. 9 |
|
1939 | |||||
27 April - 1 May |
Calcutta | 5 |
Arrives in Calcutta from Bombay; Stays with Satis Chandra Dasgupta at Khadi Pratishthan; Sarojini Naidu calls. Dr P.C. Ghosh calls. Bhulabhai Desai, Acharya Kripalani, Dr. B.C. Roy call. Discussions with Subhas Bose and Jawaharlal Nehru. Urmila Devi and Sarladevi Chaudhrani call. Bose resigns making way for Rajendra Prasad; founds the Forward Bloc on 3May. Rabindranath Tagore's article appears in The Modern Review referring to Gandhi's 'errors and omissions' and declaring that 'the leadership of Bengal has now fallen on Subhas Bose.' Discussions at Sodepur Ashram with Bhulabhai Desai, Sarojini Naidu, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Dr. B.C. Roy, Dr. P.C. Ghosh and other leaders. Discussion with Subhas Chandra Bose at Sodepur Ashram. Dr B.C. Roy, Nalini Ranjan Sarkar and a few other State Congress leaders visit. |
Interview to "The Statesman", CWMG Vol.
LXIX, pp.
175 - 178; Letter to Subhas Chandra Bose, CWMG Vol. LXIX, p. 180 |
|
1940 | |||||
17-25 February |
17-19 February - Santiniketan |
9 |
Accompnied by Kasturba, Pyarelal and Mahadev arrives from Segaon. Visits the ailing C.F. Andrews with Acharya Kripalani and Amiya Chakravarty. Goes for a short walk with Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis. Leaves for Santiniketan, received by Rabindranath Tagore and others. Visits departments of Visva-Bharati. On the eve of Gandhi's leave taking, Rabindranath Tagore places a letter in his hand: 'Accept this institution under your protection giving it an assurance of permanence.....Visva-Bharati is like a vessel which is carrying the cargo of my life's best treasure, and I hope it may claim special care from my countrymen for its preservation.....' |
Letter to Rabindranath Tagore, CWMG Vol
LXXI,p.
228 "What I Saw in Santiniketan", published in Harijan, CWMG Vol. LXXI, pp. 290 - 291 |
|
20-25 February, Malikanda |
Arrives in Malikanda. Disturbances by opponents before his speech. Draws up his Will, reposing all rights of his works in Navajivan Trust. Meeting of Gandhi Seva Sangh. Recieves visitors from Noakhali. Senior Congress leaders from Chandpur , Hardayal Nag calls. |
Speech at Gandhi Seva Sangh Meeting - I, CWMG Vol. LXXI, pp. 232 - 250; Speech at Gandhi Seva Sangh Meeting - III, CWMG Vol. LXXI, pp. 256 - 276; Speech at Public Meeting; CWMG Vol. LXXI, pp.288 - 289 |
|||
26-27 February | Calcutta | 2 |
Returns to Calcutta by Dacca Mail; Detrains at Dum Dum because of disturbances and goes to G.D. Loyelka, local businessman's residence. Met by business leaders at Dum Dum station. Prayer meeting at Regent Park. Meets Sarat Chandra Bose. Visits C.F. Andrews at Presidency General Hospital. Dr. Shyama Prasad Mookerjee calls. Discusses Bengal political situation. C. Rajagopalachari calls. Leaves for Serampore to entrain for Patna. Someone hurls a shoe at him; it misses him but hits Mahadev Desai. |
||
2 March | Calcutta | 1 |
Returns to Calcutta from Patna. Stays at Birla Park. In a statement, says that Congress has not shut its doors to talks with the Government. Also asks all organizations engaged in constructive work to eschew politics. Leaves for Sevagram |
||
1942 | |||||
18 February | Calcutta | 1 |
Arrives in Calcutta from Sevagram, detraining at Howrah. Jawaharlal Nehru introduces the Chinese delegation to him at the station. Stays at the Birla Park. Marshal and Madame Chiang kai-Shek call on him at Birla Park for a prolonged talk. |
"Discussion with Chiang Kai-Shek and Wife", published in Harijan, CWMG, Vol. LXXV, pp. 333 - 334 |
|
1945-1946 | |||||
1-18 December | Calcutta | 18 |
Arrives in Calcutta from Sevagram, detraining at Maurigram. Warmly greeted by large crows throughout journey to Sodepur Khadi Pratishthan. Nearly 5,000 people attend the first day's prayer meeting, including several American servicemen. Explains the object of his present visit to Bengal and Assam while addressing the congregation after evening prayers at Sodepur Ashram; it is purely to offer what consolation his presence could give to the victiims of the famine in Bengal and to do whatever he could to relieve their distress. Discussions with Gopinath Bordoloi, Dr. P.C. Ghosh and Satis Chandra Dasgupta; Multiple meetings with Governor Casey. Also meets Mrs. Casey at Government House. Meets with Lord Bishop of Calcutta at Bishop's House. Because of the rush of people, Bengal-Assam Railway authorities make arrangements from 6 December to run a special train from Sealdah to enable people to attend the daily evening prayer meetings. CWC decides to hold its evening session at Sodepur Ashram to enable the members to have the benefit of Gandhi's advice and guidance. Printed versions of sketch of Gandhi, drawn during prayer meeting by Shri Bimal Roy are sent to George Bernard Shaw and Albert Einstein. Over 20,000 people attend his prayer meeting on the 9th December including Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan. Meets Viceroy, Lord Wavell, at Government House on 10th December. Attends CWC meeting on 11th December (CWC in session in Calcutta from 7 December deciding, among aother things, to remove communists from Congress ranks.) Meets with Dr. S. Radhakrishnan for over an hour on the 16th instance. Visits Subhas Chandra Bose's house at Elgin Road on 17th December and sees the bedroom from where Bose escaped. Leaves for Santiniketan on 18th December; recieved by Rathindranath Tagore, Principal A.K. Chanda and Krishna Kripalani. |
Discussion with Ian Stephens, CWMG Vol.
LXXXII, pp.150 - 153; Letter to R.G. Casey, CWMG Vol. LXXXII, p.167; Letter to the Aga Khan; CWMG Vol. LXXXII, p.169; Letter to R.G. Casey, CWMG Vol. LXXXII, p.181; Letter to R.G. Casey, CWMG Vol. LXXXII, pp. 181 - 182 Speech at Calcutta; CWMG Vol. LXXXII, p. 200 Statement to the Press, CWMG Vol. LXXXII, pp. 220 - 221; Speech at Prayer meeting, CWMG Vol. LXXXII, pp. 236 - 237; |
|
19-20 December | Santiniketan | 2 |
Meets with Professor Tun Yun Shan of China Bhavana at Shantiniketan. Lays foundation stone for C.F.Andrews Memorial Hospital. Visits Nandalal Bose's Kala Bhavana. Attends a discussion with Heads of Department. Discusses the future of Santiniketan with Rathindranath Tagore. Speaks to the public at Burdwan Station. |
Speech at Prayer meeting, CWMG Vol.
LXXXII, pp. 237 -
238; Speech at Foundation-Laying Ceremony, CWMG Vol. LXXXII, p. 239; Discussion with Heads of Department, Santiniketan, CWMG Vol. LXXXII, pp. 240 - 242; Discussion with workers and staff members, CWMG Vol. LXXXII, p. 242 - 246 Speech at Railway Station, Burdwan, CWMG Vol. LXXXII, p. 249 |
|
21-25 December | Calcutta | 5 |
Returns to Calcutta and goes to Sodepur Khadi Pratishthan. Debendranath Mukherjee, Mayor of Calcutta, calls. Kasturba's death anniversary is quietly observed at the Ashram. Discussions with Sarat Chandra Bose and Jawaharlal Nehru. Meets Governor Casey; meeting lasts two hours. Has an informal talk with 200-plus workers and members of the Bengal Provincial Congress Committee. Also has an informal talk with the workers of the Hindustan Mazdoor Sangh. Vice-Consul of America in Calcutta calls. Leaves in the morning of 25th December on a steamer launch Nancy from Prinsep Ghat for his first visit to Diamond Harbour. All-India Anti-Pakistan Front led by Lakshman Ganesh Thatte pickets at Sodepur Ashram urging him to oppose the Communal Award. Leaves Diamond Harbour for Mahishadal, on a week's tour of the Midnapore District ravaged by cyclone and floods. |
Letter to Abanindranath Tagore CWMG Vol.
LXXXII, p. 249; Speech at Prayer Meeting, CWMG Vol. LXXXII, p. 250; Letter to Rathindranath Tagore CWMG Vol. LXXXII, p. 250 - 252; Discussion with Political Workers; CWMG Vol. LXXXII, pp. 265 - 267; Speech at Public Meeting; CWMG Vol. LXXXII, p. 275 - 277; |
|
26 December 1945 - 2 January 1946 |
26 December - Mahishadal |
Discussion with Congress Workers; CWMG Vol.
LXXXII, pp. 277 - 279 |
|||
30 December - Erinchi, Kakra, Contai |
|||||
31 December - 2 January - Contai |
Speech at Volunteers' Rally, CWMG Vol. LXXXII, pp. 332 - 333 |
||||
1946-1947 | |||||
3-8 January | Calcutta | 6 |
Returns to Calcutta on 3rd January; arrives at Prinsep Ghat from Contai. Leaves for Sodepur Khadi Pratishthan; stays at Sodepur. Expresses his great pleasure on hearing of the release of Maj. Gen. Shah Nawaz Khan, Col. Prem Kumar Sehgal and Col. Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon of the Indian National Army. Meets Nellie Sen Gupta and other Chittagong leaders on the 5th January and discusses Chittagong problem. Says to Nellie Sen Gupta that he wants to live for 125 years. Meets Governor Cassey on 7th January. Leaves by Assam Mail on the 8th for Gauhati, accompnied by Satis Chandra Dasgupta, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, Manilal Gandhi, Prabhavati Devi and others. |
||
14-19 January | Calcutta | 6 |
Returns to Calcutta from Parbatipur by a goods train under special arrangement. Expresses grief over the communal disturbanes at Diamond Harbour and Chittagong during the afternoon prayer meeting. Meets prisoners in Alipore Presidency Jail and Dum Dum Jail. Officials of Muslim Unemployed Relief Association call for discussions on the economical and political position of Muslims in Bengal. Meets with Leaders of Chittagong on 18th January and holds discussions on different problems of the Chittagong people. Meets Governor Casey In Calcutta, sees performance by Professor Subodh Chandra Mukherjee, caricaturist and ventriloquist, on 19th January. Leaves for Madras, accompanied by Agatha Harrison. |
||
29 October - 6 November |
29 October - 5 November - Calcutta |
Arrives in Calcutta from Delhi, on his way to visit the riot-affected areas in Eastern Bengal. Meets Governor Burrows on 30th October; Announces at prayer meeting on the 30th October that he will leave for Noakhali on 31 October. At the evening prayer meeting of 31st October, refers to the Viceroy's appeal on behalf of the whole Cabinet; wants everyone to pray with him for the establishment of emotional unity between the Muslims and the Hindus. Also announces that he will not to go to Noakhali at this time because of the Calcutta situation. Says in a prayer address that the tendency to look to the Viceroy, the Governor, the military and the police for protection is incompatible with independence. Telegraphs Pandit Nehru on 4th November, who proceeds from Calcutta to Patna on recieving the report of a conflagration in Bihar. Reacts negatively to Nehru's statement that the Central Government will, in retaliation to such barbarism, even use aerial bombing to put it down. ' That is the way of the British,' he comments, in his silent day's written message to the prayer meeting. Dr Rajendra Prasad announces the decision of Gandhi's fast unto death if the communal riot does not stop in Bihar within 24 hours. |
The Last Phase, Part I, p.358; The Last Phase, Part I, p.361; |
||
6 November - starts Noakhali tour; Kushtia, Goalando, Chandpur |
Announces restriction of his diet to fruit juices until communal violence in Bihar abates; says he will enter upon a fast unto death if sanity does not return to Bihar. Leaves by a special train for commencement of his Noakhali tour. Accompanied by Minister Shamsuddin Ahmed and two Parliamentary Secretaries, all three specially deputed to ensure cooperation of the local officials in Noakhali. In Kushtia, met by large crowds. Reaches Chandpur at night.Spends night on ferry SS Kiwi |
||||
7 November 1946-3 March 1947 |
7 November - Chandpur,Chaumuhani |
117 |
Accompanied by, among others Pyarelal, Dr Sushila Nayyar, Sucheta Kripalani, Amtus Salam, Sushila pai, Amritlal Thakkar, Kanu Gandhi, Abha Gandhi, Nirmal Kumar Bose. Two deputations - one Muslim and one Hindu - meet him, the first maintaining no disturbances had taken place in Chandpur, the second seeking police and military protection. Prayer meeting at Chaumuhani, attended by 15,000 , mostly Mulims |
Speech at Prayer Meeting; CWMG Vol. LXXXVI, pp. 98 - 99 |
|
8 November - Gopairbag, Dattapara |
In Chaumuhani. Widespread fear among Hindus. Several relief organizations are at work but without any plan or coordination. In Gopairbag, sees corpses, scene of terrible massacres, gore. The two Parliamentary Secretaries confess that they want to dissociate from the tour ('We have to face the electorate') |
Speech at Dattapara, CWMG Vol. LXXXVI, pp. 101 - 102 |
|||
9 November - Dattapara |
|||||
10 November - Dattapara, Chaumuhani |
Physically exhausted, having been on a self-imposed daily intake of less than 600 calories. |
||||
11 November - Chaumuhani, Dattapara, Sonachak, Khilpara, Dattapara |
To conserve strength, is carried on an improvised chair to the prayer ground. Learns of a Hindu household, including a boy of 15, who have been murdered. Those not killed, have been converted. Visits a desecrated family temple; stands in reverential and shocked silence in front of the broken images. |
||||
12 November - Dattapara |
Tours scenes of destruction. In Nandigram, sees a desecrated temple, ruins of hundreds of burnt-down homes, a village school, a hospital and a hostel. Plans to disband team, each person to go separately to violence-ridden areas, including himself. |
Letter to Jayaprakash Narayan, CWMG Vol.
LXXXVI, p.
112; Letter to Rajendra Prasad, CWMG Vol. LXXXVI, p. 112 |
|||
13 November - Dattapara |
Says to Muslim Leaguers that what he has seen is 'the very negation of Islam'. Pays tribute to Pandit Malaviya (who has passed away on 12 November in Benaras). |
||||
14 November - Dattapara, Kazirkhil |
Shifts to Kazirkhil, situated in the heart of devastation. | ||||
15 November - Kazirkhil |
Says in prayer meeting that Muslims have done worse than butchery in Bengal and Hindus have done the same in Bihar. |
||||
16 November - Kazirkhil, Karpara, Kazirkhil |
Notices the diminishing proportion of Muslims in his gatherings. In order to enhance Hindu confidence, expresses a desire to stay with Muslim League members or sympathizers. |
||||
17 November - Kazirkhil, Dashgharia, Kazirkhil |
Bibi Amtus Salam has preceded him to Dashgharia. Some Hindu women, forcibly converted and since returned to their faith, come singing 'Ramdhun'. |
||||
18 November - Kazirkhil |
Tours surrounding hamlets. | ||||
19 November - Madhupur |
At a women's meeting, declines a request from women to be given military escort to attend; Says their male relations should escort them instead. Resumes eating solid food on hearing from Dr Rajendra Prasad of improvement in the Bihar situation; Accompnied by Nirmal Kumar Bose and Parasuram, goes ton Srirampur. Pyarelal goes to Bhatialpur, his sister Sushila sets up a clinic in Changergaon, Amtus Salam bases herself in Shirandi, Sushila Pai in Karpara. Kanu goes to Ramdevpur; his wife Abha, supported by Thakkar Bapa, to Haimchar. Prabhudas settles in Parkote. |
||||
20 November - Kazirkhil,Serampore |
Disbands team and sets out with Nirmal Kumar Bose. When he leaves, 'Vaishnavajana' is sung; many eyes go moist as his bamboo country craft disappears over the waters in the direction of Srirampur. Minister Shamsuddin Ahmed comes and presents him an official 'peace plan' for forming peace committees, which he endorses. |
||||
21 November - Serampore |
Of the 582 families in the village, 382 were Muslims and 200 Hindus. Now, only three Hindus remain. |
||||
22 November - Serampore |
Addresses meeting at Ramgunj Dak Bungalow, attended by leaders from both communities and Government spokesmen, at which the 'peace committees' plan is discussed. |
||||
23 November - Serampore, Chandipur, Serampore |
Says at a public meeting: 'There are good men and bad in all communities. If you want real peace, there is no other way except to have mutual trust and confidence'. |
||||
24 November - Serampore |
Sarat Chandra Bose and others call and have a two hour long talk on the peace proposals. Says in his prayer speech that complaints have been pouring in about people being unable to shed their fears because persons known to be guuilty are freely moving about. The only effective protection come from reliance upon internal strength, on God. |
||||
25 November - Serampore, Ramganj, Serampore |
|||||
26 November - 13 December - Serampore |
Nirmal Kumar Bose records in My Days with Gandhi: [Gandhi muttering to himself one day in Srirampur] 'What shall I do? What shall I do?' [To Nirmal Kumar Bose] 'I don’t want to die a failure. But I may be a failure.' Writes to Premier Suhrawardy (3 December): '.....the (Peace) Committees do not appear to be functioning properly - the exodus continues.' Bibi Amtus Salam commences fast. |
The Last Phase, Part I, pp.396-397; Letter to Satis Chandra Mukherjee, CWMG Vol. LXXXVI, p. 210; The Last Phase, Part I, pp. 393-394 |
|||
14 December - Serampore, Madhupur |
In Madhupur, opens a hospital. | ||||
15 December - 1 January 1947 - Serampore |
Asaf Ali comes to seek his blessings on 17th December before taking up his appointment as US ambassador. Manu Gandhi joins him on the 18th of December. He commences Brahmacharya test with her. A Christian friend brings, on Christmas day, a soldier's hamper as a gift. It includes cigarettes which he keeps aside for Jawaharlal Nehru who is expected in a couple of days while the other items are distributed. Pandit Nehru and Acharya Kripalani visit him on 27th. The two leaders urge him, unsuccessfully, to return to Delhi. They leave Srirampur on 30 December. |
Note to Manu Gandhi, CWMG Vol. LXXXVI, p.
245; Letter to Parasuram, CWMG Vol. LXXXVI, pp. 299 - 300 |
|||
2 January - Chandipur, Changergaon, Chandipur |
Village folk of both communities stand on either side of the way to bid farewell as he leaves after his stay of one month and 10 days. Decides to wear no sandals for the rest of his stay in the Noakhali region as the ground has been 'hallowed by the innocent sufferings of poor men and women.' |
||||
3 January - Chandipur |
Attends women's meeting. | ||||
4 January - Chandipur, Changergaon, Chandipur |
Inaugrates school in Changergaon. | ||||
5 January - Chandipur, Hareshwar, Chandipur |
Hindu evacuees begin to return in Chandipur. Attends artisans' meeting. | ||||
6 January - Chandipur |
Refugees inform him that Government help is insufficient. Tells them that if the help provided eg. Temporary shelters, is inadequate, they should decline the aid , return to their villages and re-build their lives through their own efforts. |
Speech at Prayer Meeting, CWMG Vol. LXXXII, pp. 318 - 319 | |||
7 January - Chandergaon, Masimpur |
'One-night-in-one-village' tour commences. Many Muslims walk out of the evening prayer meting as soon as 'Ramdhun' begins. Says he is saddened by this and that it shows they cannot tolerate God being addressed by any name other than Khuda or Allah. Says that while police and military forces are present for his protection, he himself does not like it. Some Sikhs are with him but they leave their kirpans behind and are unarmed. Addresses Gram Seva Sangh. |
||||
8 January - Masimpur |
Manu discovers his feet are bleeding. While there is no 'walkout' during the prayer held near a mosque, at the Maulvi's suggestion the accompanying tabor is not used. |
||||
9 January - Fatehpur, Daspara |
Calls on Maulvi Anwarullah at night. | ||||
10 January - Daspara, Jagatpur |
Some Muslims tell him that there can be no harmony as long as he moves under armed protection. He requests the Government to withdraw the escort. In Jagatpur, the route is fouled up overnight by miscreants, scattered with cow-dung and human excreta. 'I like it,' he responds. 'It does me no harm and it helps them let off pent-up steam.' Attends women's meeting. Is unable to eat his sparse dinner that evening except for a lump of jaggery. |
||||
11 January - Jagatpur, Lamchar |
Reaches Lamchar late in the evening. Many Muslims welcome him at a crossing with green coconuts. |
||||
12 January - Lamchar, Karpara |
In Karpara, addresses women's and artisan's meetings. | ||||
13 January - Karpara, Shahpur |
|||||
14 January - Shahpur, Bhatialpur |
Importuned by Muslims, visits their homes and talks to the womenfolk. Evening bells ring in the village for the first time in three months when, after a prayer, he reinstalls the family deity of Radha and Krishna in Nath Bhowmick-badi's household shrine. Perhaps this is the first and the last time he performs the duties of a priest and attends such a ceremony. Muslims come out in fairly large numbers to meet him and attend the prayer meeting although they remain silent during the 'Ramdhun.' Many of the Hindus, too, refrain from taking part in the prayer. |
||||
15 January - Bhatialpur, Narayanpur, Gopairbad, Narayanpur |
Visits Muslim families on way to Bhatialpur. | ||||
16 January - Narayanpur, Ramdevpur, Dashgharia, Ramdevpur |
A deputation of 12 Muslims visits; tells him 'nothing much has happened in Noakhali'. His response: he has daily evidence of the havoc caused. |
||||
17 January - Ramdevpur, Parkot |
Attends women's meeting. | ||||
18 January - Parkot, Badalkot |
|||||
19 January - Badalkot, Atakhora |
Leaves Badalkot in the morning. Wants to meet the little boys and girls studying in the Muslim school down the road but, as he approaches, the Maulvi Saheb orders them away. Beckons at the children but they do not even respond to his salaam. Sighing , he passes on. |
||||
20 January - Atakhora, Shirandi |
Helps end Amtus Salam's fast , after local Muslims give assurance of peace and unity. |
||||
21 January - Shirandi, Kaithuri, Paniala |
During the march to Paniala - the next halt - Manu sings a new 'Ramdhun'. The second verse of the modified version is: Ishwar Allah tere naam Sabko sanmati de bhagavan She sings it at the evening prayer as well and the entire audience joins in, including the next of kin of those murdered during the disturbances. Singing of this 'Ramdhun' acquires a new meanng and significance. He says it is to be sung every day during their pilgrimage thereafter. |
||||
22 January - Kaithuri, Paniala |
After the prayer address, Muslim League hecklers question him. |
The Last Phase, Part I, p. 516 |
|||
23 January - Paniala, Dalta |
|||||
24 January - Dalta, Muraim |
In Muraim, 'an oasis in the desert'; stays with Maulana Habibullah Batari who takes him into the zenana and introduces him to the ladies who in turn greet him with deep reverence. Seeing some of them still in purdah, the Maulana says: "We are blessed today to have a man of God like him in our midst. Our community today suffers from the stigma of shedding the blood of our Hindu brethren. Mahatmaji has come to free us of that stain. It is absurd to observe purdah in his purifying presence.' At th evening prayer, all the Hindus and Muslims join in singing the 'Ramdhun'. 'The credit of it all belongs to the Maulvi Saheb,' he remarks. 'It sustains my thesis that a single individual is enough to transform the atmosphere around him provided he is sincere and truthful'. |
||||
25 January - Muraim, Hirapur |
Accompnies Manu as she goes to meet local Muslim women who had expressed a desire to see her. But, with one exception, none of the women emerge from their homes. He thereupon visits them in their huts, greeting each one of them and the children. |
||||
26 January - Hirapur, Bansa |
Asked to hoist the national flag in commemoration of the declaration of Independence by the Congress 18 years ago, something he has done unfailingly. But he feels no zest for observing the practice in Noakhali. |
||||
27 January - Bansa, Palla |
|||||
28 January - Palla, Panchgaon |
Manu Gandhi, Ekla Chalo Re |
||||
29 January - Panchgaon, Jayag |
Local zamindar, Barrister Hemanta Kumar Ghosh, donates his lands for setting up a charitable trust. |
||||
30 January - Jayag, Amki |
Horace Alexander visits. | ||||
31 January - Amki, Nabagram |
Muslims from Nabargram defend his right to quote from the Qur'an. | ||||
1 February - Nabagram, Amishapara |
Attends women's meeting; among the crowd is a women bent double with age, apparently a hundred years old. She is seated beside him with all the reverence due to ages; puts round her neck a garland which he has taken off his own - the crowning satisfaction of the centenarian's career. |
Letter to Satis Chandra Mukerji, CWMG Vol.
LXXXII, pp. 414 |
|||
2 February - Amishapara, Dashgharia |
|||||
3 February - Dashgharia, Sadhurkhil |
|||||
4 February - Sadhurkhil |
A hysterical patient in one of the Muslim houses grips his hand and tells him that he is 'under arrest' for what has happened in Bihar. Gandhi engages in conversation with him without showing the slightest perturbation and the man is eventually soothed. Conducts prayers at the grounds of the house of an influential Muslim, Salimullah Saheb at his bidding. |
||||
4 February - Sadhurkhil, Srinagar |
|||||
6 February - Srinagar, Dharmapur |
Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru, CWMG Vol. LXXXVI, p. 437; | ||||
7 February - Dharmapur, Prasadpur |
|||||
8 February - Prasadpur, Nandigram |
|||||
9 February - Nandigram, Vijayanagar |
|||||
10 February - Vijayanagar |
|||||
11 February - Vijayanagar, Haimchandi |
|||||
12 February - Haimchandi, Kafilatali |
|||||
13 February - Kafilatali, Keroa (East) |
|||||
14 February - Keroa (East), Keroa (West) |
While he is at lunch, a Maulana from Khulna comes to discuss the problem of communal harmony. The visitor is invited to share his meal. Three local Muslims come with a request to pray that God may make both communities live in peace and brotherhood. Reads out the Prophet's sayings to the gathering at the evening prayer. |
||||
15 February - Keroa (West) |
In Raipur, on the morning of his arrival, an attempt is made to stage a hartal. It is, however, a failed attempt as many local Muslims come forward to take part in the welcome reception. Is told that many more Muslims were eager to come but had been intimidated by some powerful local persons. |
||||
16 February - Raipur |
|||||
17 February - Raipur, Devipur |
In Devipur, the last Noakhali village he visits. Upset with the grand reception |
The Last Phase, Part I, pp. 550-551; The Last Phase, Part I, p. 552 |
|||
18 February - Devipur, Alunia |
In Alunia crosses the river to meet an elderly man who cannot come to him. Is none too well; complains of a 'burning sensation in the eyes'; applies mud-poultices on the eyelids but does not interrupt his journey. |
||||
19 February - Alunia, Chardukhia, Birampur |
Third death anniversary of Kasturba; Gandhi has the experience of a mystic reunion with Kasturba. |
The Last Phase, Part I, pp. 554-555 |
|||
20 February - Birampur, Bishkatholi |
The Muslim opposition reaches its culmination in Bishkatholi with its Hindu population of 306 in the midst of a Muslim population of 4,694. Most people who left to save their lives have not yet returned. Along the route, a number of hand-written posters are stucknon the trees with hate messages |
The Last Phase, Part I, p. 557 |
|||
21 February - Bishkatholi, Kamalpur |
News comes of fresh violence in Bihar. |
The Last Phase, Part I, p. 558 |
|||
22 February - Kamalpur, Char Krishnapur |
Eager crowds of men and women line his route unlike the other predominantly Muslim locations he has visited earlier. His host changes his mind last moment; accomodation is found for him in a low-roofed shelter improvised from corrugated sheets salvaged from a burnt-down homestead. Amritlal Thakkar visits. |
||||
23 February - Char Krishnapur, Char Soladi |
|||||
24 February - Char Soladi |
Visits the local Ramakrishna Mission unit. | ||||
25 February - Haimchar |
A large gathering, mostly of Namasudras, attends the prayer meeting on the day of arrival.Thakkar Bapa describes the destruction wrought upon Harijans in the area. Also mentions serious social evils-child marriage, taboo on widow-remarriage and diseases resulting from promiscuity- rampant among the Namasudras. Mr. Attlee's statement contains much that is indefinite and likely to give trouble. But he is convinced that it is, in the final analysis, a brave and definite statement. Refuses to go to Delhi for discussions at the request of Congress leaders until his mission in Noakhali bears fruit. Thakkar Bappa, asked to strive against the brahmacharya practice that Gandhi has been engaged in during this Noakhali tour, speaks to him about it soon after their arrival at Haimchar.Gandhi explains his stand to him |
The Last Phase, Part I, pp. 585-586 |
|||
26 February - Haimchar |
Explains his test in Brahmacharya at public meeting; He is deliberately referring to his private life because he knows that the private life of individuals does affect the course of public activities. | ||||
27 February - 28 February - Haimchar |
Sounds a note of warning on this day, his third in Haimchar. Cautions that what he has said about his private life is not for blind imitation. He has never claimed to have extraordinary powers. What he is doing is undoubtedly dangerous but it ceases to be so if the conditions are rigidly observed, Ex-premier of Bengal calls. |
The Last Phase, Part I, pp. 612-613 |
|||
1 March - Haimchar |
Wires the Chief Minister of Bihar: DR. SYED MAHMUD AND OTHERS WOULD LIKE ME TO VISIT BIHAR… DO YOU FEEL LIKEWISE? PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOU FEEL. Tells Satis Chandra Dasgupta in the evening about his decision to proceed to Bihar and announces it at the evening prayer gathering. Refers to the report he has recieved about the atrocities of Bihar before which the happenings of Noakhali seem 'to pale into insignificance'. |
The Last Phase, Part I, pp. 615-616 |
|||
2 March - Haimchar, Chandpur |
Addressing a vast gathering at Chandpur, says that the very reason that has brought him to Noakhali and Tippera is now taking him to Bihar. He thought he would be able to affect Bihar Hindus from his place in Bengal but Dr Mahmud's letter shows him the necessity of proceeding to Bihar. | ||||
3 March - Goalonda |
Reached Calcutta. Stays at Khadi Pratishthan. Has inadvertantly left an important file of personal letters and other documents in the train. Hence, an appeal is made to the people to return the same ti Nirmal Kumar Bose, if found. Meets Dr Amiya Chakravarty; mentions that although he is going to Bihar, his work at Noakhali and Tippera remains unfinished and that he will return to Noakhali. Leaves at night by Punjab Mail for Patna. |
||||
1947 | |||||
4 March | Calcutta | 1 |
Returns to Calcutta. Shaheed Suhrawardy calls; Leaves for Patna |
||
9-14 May | Calcutta | 6 |
Arrives in Calcutta from Patna. Kshitish Chandra Dasgupta and others are at the station to receive him; goes to Khadi Pratishthan. Sarat Chandra Bose calls; speaks to him about the scheme, to which he subscribes, of a tripartite discussion with India, Pakistan and a United Sovereign Bengal. Rabindranath Tagore's birth anniversary; says in his memory that great men never die. Says it will be his duty to fast unto death if Hindu-Muslim violence recurs. Meets with some Central Calcutta Congress leaders led by Kalipada Mukherjee and Debendra Chandra Dey and discusses the effects of the Partition of Bengal. Resumes Bengali study with Nirmal Kumar Bose; says, 'I am trying to become a Bengali.' Muslim League ministers call.Comments at the prayer meeting that the Muslim majority and the Muslim League Government would be responsible for the Partition of Bengal. Shaheed Suhrawardy, accompanied by Mohammad Ali Bogra and Abul Hashem, calls; discusses the United Sovereign Bengal idea Discussions with Shaheed Suhrawardy and Sarat Chandra Bose continue; On the 12th of May, after Shaheed Suhrawardy complains of the Hindus' distrust in him, Gandhi offers to act as his private secretary and live under his roof, till Hindu and Muslims begin to live as brothers. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, President, Bengal Provincial Hindu Mahasabha, having heard of the scheme of for united sovereign Bengal, calls.They agree to work out the logical implications of a united Bengal. Addresses Constructive workers. Before leaving Calcutta, he made a round of the riot-affected areas in the city. One of the window panes was smashed at Burdwan by the crowds. Order was ultimately restored, when members of Gandhiji's party made the crowd sing 'Ramdhun' with them after all other resources had failed. |
Bose, My Days with Gandhi, pp. 195-196; Bose, My Days with Gandhi, pp. 198-200; The Last Phase, Part II, pp. 181-182; The Last Phase, Part II, p. 183; Bose, My Days with Gandhi, pp. 200-203 Advice to Constructive Workers,CWMG, Vol. LXXXVII, pp. 463 - 464; Interview to Shyamaprasad Mookherjee,CWMG, Vol. LXXXVII, pp. 464 - 465; Talk with B.C.Roy, CWMG, Vol. LXXXVII, pp. 467 - 468; |
|
9 August - 7 September |
Calcutta | 30 | |||
9 August - Calcutta |
Arrives in Calcutta from Patna. Is met by Dr. P.C. Ghosh, first Chief Minister-designate of West Bengal, and Nirmal Kumar Bose; stays at Sodepur. Intends to go to Nokahali to resume work for Hindu-Muslim amity. Accompnied by Dr. P.C. Ghosh, meets Governor Burrows, who requests him to stay over in Calcutta and help quell its riot-like situation. Says at prayer meeting, 'This is the time of our real test. We must show our strength to the whole world. If India is to be enslaved again, I do not wish to live to see it, as my soul will weep at the sight. But I pray to God that such a time does not come.' Refuses to give any messages to the nation for 15 August. |
||||
10 August - Calcutta |
Riots in the city, initiated this time by Hindus. Former Mayor Usman Saheb calls; urges him to postpone going to Noakhali and save Calcutta instead. He agrees to defer on the condition that the Muslim deputation gurantees the peace of Noakhali; if anything went wrong after that they would have to face a fast unto death on Gandhi's part. He fixes the 13th as his starting date for Noakhali. |
||||
11 August - Calcutta |
Tours riot affected areas with Dr. P.C. Ghosh and Usman Saheb. Shaheed Suhrawardy urges Gandhi to remain in Calcutta indefinitely. Gandhi agrees to do so if Shaheed Suhrawardy is willing to live with him and fight for the peace of Calcutta till his last breath. |
Letter to Sir Frederick Burrows, CWMG Vol
LXXXIX, p.
23; Letter to Amiya Chakravarty, CWMG Vol LXXXIX, p. 24; Letter to Sarat Chandra Bose,CWMG Vol LXXXIX, p. 24; Interview to H.S. Suhrawardy, CWMG Vol LXXXIX, p. 28; |
|||
12 August - Calcutta |
Shaheed Suhrawardy sends a message agreeing to Gandhi's pre-condition. |
Speech at Prayer Meeting, CWMG Vol LXXXIX, pp.29 - 31; |
|||
13 August - Calcutta |
Leaves Sodepur for Hydari Manzil, selected for his stay in Beliaghata, a predominantly Muslim area. Hindu demonstrators raise black flags and ask him why he is not going to Hindu quarters to save them. Many demonstrators heckle him and Shaheed Suhrawardy to their faces. Gandhi tells Nirmal Kumar Bose such boldness is to be admired. |
Discussions with representatives of demonstrators, CWMG Vol LXXXIX, pp.33 - 34; | |||
14 August - Calcutta |
Attends packed prayer meeting; Announces at the prayer meeting that he will undertake a 24-hour fast, conduct prayers and spinning on 15 August. Scenes of camaraderie witnessed in parts of Calcutta, with Hindus and Muslims embracing each other. Visits Marwari Club; says to a gathering: 'Tomorrow we will be free from bondage to the British, but from midnight tonight Hindustan will be broken nto two pieces. So tomorrow will be both a day of rejoicing and of mourning.' |
||||
15 August - Calcutta |
Observes 'Mahadev Desai Day'. Talks with Communist Party members. On a long day fast , his characteristic way of marking India's Independence. A great rush of visitors through the entire day. Manu records: 'Bapu could not do any work today. He had to go out every half an hour. Thousands of people kept coming for his darshan, and they said that all this was due to the great Gandhi!' |
Advice to West Bengal Ministers, CWMG Vol
LXXXIX, p.45; Talk with Communist Party Members, CWMG Vol LXXXIX, p.46; Talk to Students, CWMG Vol LXXXIX, p.47; Speech at Prayer Meeting, CWMG Vol LXXXIX, pp.47 - 48; |
|||
16 August - Calcutta |
The new Governor, C. Rajagopalachari, pays a visit and congratulates him on the miracle he has wrought. In reply, says that he is not yet satisfied that the so-called miracle is an abiding one. It made history as it was the first time that a Governor had come to interview Bapu, rather than Bapu having to go to the Governor. There was a series of deputations to meet Bapu; there were discussions about communal unity and relief work. |
Miracle or Accident, CWMG Vol. LXXXIX, pp.48 -
49; Discussion with Rev. John Kellas, CWMG Vol. LXXXIX, pp.51 - 52; Speech at Prayer Meeting, CWMG Vol. LXXXIX, p.52 |
|||
17 August - Calcutta |
Addresses prayer meeting; talks on the unruly manner in which people were treating the police, posted to guard him and Shaheed Suhrawardy. He warned the public that he was thinking of approaching the authorities to withdraw the forces. |
Speech at Prayer Meeting, CWMG Vol. LXXXIX, pp. 57 - 58; |
|||
18 August - Calcutta |
The day of Id. Mussalmans call on Gandhi in great numbers and he gave each of them some fruit. There was an assemblage of four to five lakh people at the prayer ground.His face expresses joy when he saw the mammoth gathering of Hindus and Muslims. |
Note to Khulna Congress Workers, CWMG Vol.
LXXXIX, p.
59 Speech at Prayer Meeting, CWMG Vol. LXXXIX, p. 60 |
|||
19 August - Calcutta |
Visits Kanchrapa where stray acts of violence against Muslims have taken place. Gandhi urges the two communities to unite and insists that the tricolour flag is the greatest thing and the only flag they both flow. |
Speech at Prayer Meeting, CWMG Vol. LXXXIX, p. 61 |
|||
20 August - Calcutta |
Discussions with Rajaji. Press Conference. Insists that he be questioned on the Hindu-Muslim problem rather than political subjects. According to the local calculation, there were not less than seven lakh people at the prayer meeting, held in the open area surrounded by Canning Street, Pollock Street, Muraghihata and Kolutolla. Expressed his desire to proceed to Noakhali. |
Interview to the Press,CWMG Vol.
LXXXIX, p. 67; Speech at Prayer Meeting, CWMG Vol. LXXXIX, pp. 68 - 69 |
|||
21 August - Calcutta |
In Beliaghata. Attends women's meeting at University Institute Hall, College Square organized by All-India Women's Conference and other women's organizations, presided over by Mohini Devi.Is displeased with excessive noise and no discipline. |
||||
22 August - Calcutta |
In Beliaghata. Advises workers of Bengal Chemicals not to go on strike. Holds discussions with Members of the Kasturba Trust. Gandhi expressed his intense feelings regarding communal unity at the prayer meeting, with special reference to the riots in the Punjab. |
||||
23 August - Calcutta |
Interviews with workers; Speaks on unity in the prayer meeting. Urges Hindus and Muslims to not object to cries of "Allah-o-Akbar" and "Vande Mataram" respectively. Is given a civic reception by Mayor Sudhir Chandra Roy Chaudhuri on behalf of the people of Calcutta; presented a wooden hand-carved casket on a silver tray which he immediately tells them to auction for the Harijan Fund. |
||||
24 August - Calcutta |
Maharaja of Patiala calls; Chided Manu for avoiding a walk. Manubehn records: 'Someone had phoned the Home Minister, Annada Chaudhuri that Bapu had been 'shot'! He ran to us, scared. He told Bapu about it. Bapu laughed, amused and said: 'Whence can I have the rare fortune of being killed with a bullet?' |
Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru, CWMG Vol. LXXXIX, p. 83 |
|||
25 August - Calcutta |
Horace Alxander visits. Having discussed communal unity, Gandhi said that he would go to Punjab when he felt like doing it, after having completed his work. 'I do not belong to Gujarat alone but to each and every province.' |
||||
26 August - Calcutta |
Visits Tuberculosis Hospital at Jadavpur. | ||||
27 August - Calcutta |
Addressed prayer meeting at Khidirpur, a labour area. 'Labourers must not fight among themselves. There should be no distinction made, on a communal basis in payment of wages. Greater skill would earn more. But I would like the employer to be himself a labourer, and a trustee of labourers. This is my ideal.' Shaheed Suhrawardy takes responsibility for the insanitary conditions prevailing in the labour area and promises to look into the matter. |
||||
28 August - Calcutta |
Addresses prayer meeting at the Science College. |
Speech at Prayer Meeting, CWMG Vol. LXXXIX, pp. 103 - 104 |
|||
29 August - Calcutta |
Prayer meeting held at Tollygunje. Gandhi speaks a great deal about communal unity. |
Speech at Prayer Meeting, CWMG Vol. LXXXIX, pp. 111 - 113 |
|||
30 August - Calcutta |
Lord Mountbatten writes '….In the Punjab we have 55 thousand soldiers and large-scale rioting on our hands. In Bengal our forces consist of one man and there is no rioting. As a serving officer, as well as an administrator, may I be allowed to pay my tribute to the One-man Boundary Force, not forgetting his Second-in-Command, Mr. Suhrawardy. Randolph Churchill, son of Winston Churchill calls. |
Letter to Lord Mountbatten, CWMG Vol. LXXXIX, p. 116 |
|||
31 August - Calcutta |
Events in the city suddenly take a turn for the worse.Plans to leave for Noakhali the next day is cancelled. Presidents of five Chambers of Commerce meet Gandhi and the question of rehabilitation and raising 1 crore of rupees amongst the business community is discussed. |
Miracle of Calcutta- (Manubehn Gandhi), pp. 65-68 |
|||
1 September - Calcutta |
Rioting starts in the city, including crowded localities like Burra bazar and Bow Bazar. Manubehn records: 'Ministers who came to see Bapu were of the unanimous opinion that Hindus had gone mad. But the Muslims too were making plans for retaliation on a large scale.' Gandhi decides to start his fast for as long as it took to establish peace. |
Miracle of Calcutta- (Manubehn Gandhi), pp. 68-72 |
|||
2 September - Calcutta |
The riots begin to cool down. Gandhi is only taking in water. Sarat Chandra Bose, Shyama Prasad Mookherjee and Prafullababu come to see him. Saratbabu brings the news that the rioting had been started by the Sikhs and the Biharis. Bengalis joined them subsequently. Gandhi assures them that his fast is the only solution to bring peace and he was feeling absolutely calm. "Conditions have not improved. I am out to die. When I cannot do anything by going personally amidst the crowds, I must do something else; this is the only solution. I am absolutely calm." |
Miracle of Calcutta- (Manubehn Gandhi), pp. 72-84 |
|||
3 September - Calcutta |
Fast continues. Referring to his 21 days' fast in Calcutta, Gandhi says: 'I wanted to survive that fast, which was directed against the despotism of Linlithgow. Regarding this fast I do not care if I live or die. Of course I hope, peace is established and that I may be able to live.But this fast will not go beyond 10 days. There shall either be peace within that period or else i shall die.' A joint procession of both Hindus and Muslims started from Beliaghata at 6.30. Leaders of the procession came in to meet Gandhi. They pledge themselves to Gandhi and urge him to give up his fast. Gandhi replies that his fast can be broken only if thefeelings that they hacve expressed, be evident in the minds of goondas as well.He encourages them to work with greater zeal. Rajaji comes with the news of more peace in the city. |
Miracle of Calcutta- (Manubehn Gandhi), pp. 84-90 |
|||
4 September - Calcutta |
The Government reports that not one incident has taken place in the Muslim areas. In the afternoon, a party of 35 goondas came to see Gandhi and confess their crime. They request for his forgiveness and the termination of his fast. Gandhi said that it was not enough, and they should offer their services to the Muslims and become protectors for the minority. Two more parties came to see him and ask for his forgiveness. They are all entrusted with the same task. Breaks his fast at 9.15 p.m. with a glass of diluted orange juice. At 10 o'clock at night many people come with their weapons and surrender them. Finally after 73 hours of the fast, a sigh of relief is let out. |
Discussion with a Deputation, CWMG Vol.
LXXXIX, p.
150; Advice to Demonstrators, CWMG Vol. LXXXIX, p. 151; Discussion with Citizens' Deputations, CWMG Vol. LXXXIX, pp.151 - 154; Speech Before Breaking of Fast, CWMG Vol. LXXXIX, p.154; Miracle of Calcutta- (Manubehn Gandhi), pp. 90-97 |
|||
5 September - Calcutta |
Goondas surrender more arms. Advises Shaheed Suhrawardy that he should overcome greed for power if he really wanted to be redeemed. |
||||
6 September - Calcutta |
Attends an immensely crowded meeting at the Maidan. He refers to the martyrdom of Sachin Mitra and Smritish Banerjea who were done to death while dousing communal flames. He congratulates the Shanti Sena on its good work during the last few days. Visits Leprosy Hospital at Gobra after the meeting. |
Letter to Shyama Prasad Bandopadhyaya, CWMG Vol.
LXXXIX, p.
157 Speech at Prayer Meeting, CWMG Vol. LXXXIX, pp. 157 - 159 |
|||
7 September - Calcutta |
Visits Leprosy Hospital at Gobra after the prayer meeting. Leaves for Delhi. |
||||
TOTAL VISITS 64 | TOTAL NO. OF DAYS 566 |