Ahmedabad Mill Strike of 1918 is a strike by the workers in Ahmedabad's textile mills who fought for economic justice after the mill owners discontinued their plague bonuses.  Ahmedabad Mill Strike is considered the first hunger strike led by Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi intervened in this dispute between Ahmedabad workers and millowners. To force a compromise, he embarked on a death-defying fast. Additionally, he supported the Gujarati peasants of Khaira in their fight against the collection of land revenue following the failure of their crops. At this time, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel quit his lucrative legal profession to support Gandhi. In this article, we will discuss the features of the Ahmedabad Mill Strike which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Ahmedabad Mill Strike - Background

• In the dispute between Ahmedabad Mill owners and workers, the mill owners desired to take the bonus.
• Workers demanded a 50% wage increase in order to cope with wartime inflation (which doubled the prices of food grains, cloth, and other necessities) brought on by Britain's involvement in World War I.
• The mill owners were only willing to offer a 20% wage increase. The employees went on strike.
• The mill owners' relations with the workers deteriorated, with the striking workers being arbitrarily dismissed and the mill owners deciding to bring in weavers from Bombay.
• The mill workers turned to Anusuya Sarabhai for assistance in their fight for justice.
• In March 1918, Gandhi intervened in a dispute between Ahmedabad cotton mill owners and workers over the cessation of the plague bonus.

Ahmedabad Mill Strike - Features

• Anusuya Sarabhai, a social worker and the sister of Ambalal Sarabhai, one of the mill owners and president of the Ahmedabad Mill Owners Association (founded in 1891 to develop the textile industry in Ahmedabad), was asked for assistance in fighting for justice.
• Anusuya Behn approached Gandhi, whom the mill owners and workers respected, and asked him to intervene and help resolve the impasse between the workers and the employers.
• Despite the fact that Gandhi was Ambalal's friend, he took up the workers' cause.
• Gandhi called on workers to go on strike and demand a 35% rise in wages rather than a 50% increase.
• While on strike, Gandhi advised the workers to remain nonviolent. When negotiations with mill owners failed, he embarked on his first fast unto death in order to strengthen the workers' resolve.
• However, the fast had the effect of putting pressure on the mill owners, who eventually agreed to refer the matter to a tribunal.
• The strike was called off. In the end, the tribunal awarded the workers a 35% wage increase.

Conclusion

These encounters brought Gandhi into close contact with the masses, whose interests he actively promoted throughout his life. In fact, he was the first Indian nationalist leader to associate his life and way of life with the lives of ordinary people. Over time, he came to represent poor India, nationalist India, and rebellious India.

FAQs

MCQs

1. What was the primary cause of the Ahmedabad Mill Strike of 1918?

A. Demand for better working conditions
B. Dispute over plague bonus and wage increase
C. Opposition to British rule
D. Demand for national independence

2. Who mediated the Ahmedabad Mill Strike of 1918?

A. Jawaharlal Nehru
B. Subhas Chandra Bose
C. Mahatma Gandhi
D. Bal Gangadhar Tilak

3. What wage increase did the workers finally receive after the strike?

A. 20%
B. 35%
C. 50%
D. 40%

4. Which principle of Gandhi’s philosophy was applied during the Ahmedabad Mill Strike?

A. Non-Cooperation
B. Civil Disobedience
C. Satyagraha
D. Quit India

5. What role did the plague bonus play in the Ahmedabad Mill Strike of 1918?

A. It was demanded by the workers to improve their living conditions
B. It was discontinued by the mill owners after the plague receded
C. It was introduced as a new policy by the British government
D. It was increased by 50% during the strike

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the role of Mahatma Gandhi in the Ahmedabad Mill Strike of 1918 and its significance in the Indian labor movement.

Answer: Mahatma Gandhi played a pivotal role in the Ahmedabad Mill Strike of 1918 by mediating the dispute between the mill owners and workers. He applied his principles of Satyagraha—non-violent resistance and truth—to the strike, encouraging workers to remain peaceful while demanding fair wages. Gandhi also undertook a fast unto death to show solidarity with the workers, which pressured both sides to reach a resolution. The strike resulted in a 35% wage increase for the workers and set a precedent for future labor movements in India. It marked one of the earliest applications of Satyagraha in an industrial context, highlighting Gandhi’s influence on the Indian labor movement.

Q2: Analyze the causes and consequences of the Ahmedabad Mill Strike of 1918.

Answer: The Ahmedabad Mill Strike of 1918 was caused by the dispute over the plague bonus, which mill owners discontinued after the plague subsided, and the workers' demand for a 50% wage hike due to rising inflation. The refusal of the mill owners to meet these demands led to the strike. The strike, led by Mahatma Gandhi, resulted in a compromise with a 35% wage increase for the workers. Its consequences were significant, as it demonstrated the power of collective action and non-violent resistance. It also brought attention to the exploitation of industrial workers and set a precedent for future labor movements in India.

Q3: How did the Ahmedabad Mill Strike contribute to the development of the Indian labor movement?

Answer: The Ahmedabad Mill Strike contributed to the development of the Indian labor movement by demonstrating the power of organized, non-violent protests. It was one of the first instances where workers successfully used collective bargaining to secure better wages and working conditions. Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership during the strike also brought a new dimension to the labor movement, as his principles of non-violence and Satyagraha were applied to industrial disputes. The strike encouraged other labor movements across India and highlighted the importance of fair wages, workers' rights, and ethical leadership.

Previous Year Questions on Ahmedabad Mill Strike 1918

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020

Question: The Ahmedabad Mill Strike of 1918 was led by which leader?
A. Jawaharlal Nehru
B. Mahatma Gandhi
C. Subhas Chandra Bose
D. Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Answer: B

Explanation: Mahatma Gandhi played a crucial role in leading the Ahmedabad Mill Strike of 1918. He mediated between the workers and the mill owners, encouraging non-violent resistance through Satyagraha and undertaking a fast to support the workers.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 1)

Question: Discuss the significance of the Ahmedabad Mill Strike of 1918 in the context of the Indian labor movement.

Explanation: The Ahmedabad Mill Strike of 1918 is significant as it marked the beginning of organized labor movements in India. Led by Mahatma Gandhi, the strike showcased the power of collective action and non-violent resistance (Satyagraha) in resolving industrial disputes. It set a precedent for future labor movements, emphasizing workers' rights to fair wages and better working conditions. The successful resolution of the strike with a 35% wage increase also demonstrated the potential of peaceful negotiation and the importance of leadership in the labor movement.