UPSC Prelims 2015 Q46: Modern History – Gandhian Mass Movements (1915 - 1942)
Who of the following organized a march on the Tanjore coast to break the Salt Law in April
1930?
- (a) V. O. Chidambaram Pillai
- (b) C. Rajagopalachari
- (c) K. Kamaraj
- (d) Annie Besant
Answer: (b) C. Rajagopalachari
Explanation
Salt march on the Tanjore coast, April 1930
C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) led a march from Tiruchirappalli to Vedaranyam on the Tanjore coast to break the Salt Law.
It was Tamil Nadu's answer to Gandhi's Dandi March.
| Salt satyagraha | Leader | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Gujarat | Gandhi | Sabarmati to Dandi |
| Tamil Nadu | C. Rajagopalachari | Tiruchirappalli to Vedaranyam |
| Malabar | K. Kelappan | Calicut to Payyanur |
| North-West Frontier | Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan | Khudai Khidmatgar movement |
| Dharasana raid | Sarojini Naidu | Gujarat |
The other options:
| Leader | Known for |
|---|---|
| V. O. Chidambaram Pillai | Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company (1906) |
| K. Kamaraj | Later Chief Minister of Madras; Congress President |
| Annie Besant | Home Rule League (1916) |
Answer: (b) C. Rajagopalachari.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. V. O. Chidambaram Pillai is known for the Swadeshi shipping company.
- (b) CORRECT. C. Rajagopalachari led the march to Vedaranyam on the Tanjore coast.
- (c) Incorrect. K. Kamaraj took part as a young worker but did not organize the march.
- (d) Incorrect. Annie Besant led the Home Rule Movement, not a salt march.
Key point
Salt Satyagraha 1930: Gandhi to Dandi; Rajagopalachari from Tiruchirappalli to Vedaranyam; K. Kelappan from Calicut to Payyanur.
Remember
Rajaji marched to Vedaranyam, April 1930.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the Vedaranyam march with Kelappan's march in Malabar.
- Choosing Chidambaram Pillai, a Tamil leader of an earlier phase.
- Forgetting that Tanjore is in Tamil Nadu.
Exam tip
Tamil Nadu salt march = Rajaji = Vedaranyam.
Sources
- Bipan Chandra — India's Struggle for Independence, Ch 22 (Civil Disobedience 1930-31)
- Spectrum — A Brief History of Modern India (Civil Disobedience Movement)