On this day in 1930, Mahatma Gandhi began a march to the sea. At the time it was his boldest act of civil disobedience against British rule in India. The March to the Sea was a symbolic act to defy the British law.

Gandhi's Goal. Independence for India.

A Long Walk. Together with 78 civil resistance volunteers, Gandhi left Ahmedabad on foot. They were embarking on a 240-mile Salt March to the sea at Jalalpur, on the Gulf of Cambay. The walk took 24 days. Thousands had gathered at the start, and several thousands joined them on the march.

Beginning of Civil Disobedience. The March to the Sea signaled the beginning of civil disobedience or non-violent defiance of the British administration. It brought the new Congress policy of Purna Swaraj, or complete independence into action .

Getting Results. This symbolic defiance of British law earned Gandhi international respect and support. Gandhi's non-violent methods ~ including hunger strikes ~ eventually brought independence for India.

Non-Violent Life Ends in Violence. In 1948, Gandhi was shot and killed by a Hindu extremist. He was 78.