i had been active in South Africa for twenty-one years and had contributed much to the welfare of the Indians of South Africa. Gandhi now felt that his mission in South Africa was over, and he wanted to return to India.Gandhi was back in India after twelve long years. A great reception awaited him in Bombay. Gandhi was overwhelmed by the great love shown to him by the people. For two years, Gandhi had traveled extensively and had talked at different places. He now wanted to start some work connected with labor. His first interest centered on the problem of indentured labor, the system under which poor, ignorant laborers were attracted away from India to work in British colonies.With the passive resistance, Gandhi started a great agitation on this issue. He went to Bombay and consulted all the Indian leaders there. They fixed May 31, 1917, as the last date for the abolition of indentured labor. He then traveled throughout the country to get support for this view. Meetings were held in all important places. Everywhere there was a great response. As a result of the agitation, the Government announced that the system of indentured labor would be stopped before July 31, 1917.Gandhi first conceived the idea of an all-India strike as the beginning of the satyagraha movement. The leaders at once took up the suggestion and gave much publicity to the forthcoming strike. The date was fixed for April 6, 1919. The people had received only short notice for the strike, but it turned out to be most successful. That was the first great awakening of India in her struggle towards independence from the British.In Bombay, the strike was a great success. Not a wheel turned in any factory. Not a shop was kept open. All over India the strike was observed.Gandhi had asked the people again and again to be peaceful and not to be provoked to violence by the Government's actions. In spite of this, violence broke out in many places. There was disturbances in Ahmedab...
