Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India on January 9, 1915, marked the beginning of the final phase of the Indian freedom struggle. Having spent over two decades in South Africa fighting for civil rights, Gandhi arrived at Apollo Bunder, Bombay, aboard the S.S. Arabia with his wife Kasturba. He was greeted as a hero, but his political mentor, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, gave him a crucial piece of advice: to spend one year traveling across India with "his ears open but his mouth shut." This "probationary" period allowed Gandhi to understand the true pulse of the nation—its poverty, its villages, and its fragmented politics—before he launched his first major Satyagraha. To honor this historic return, the Government of India celebrates January 9 as Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (Non-Resident Indian Day).| Feature | Details |
| Date of Return | January 9, 1915 |
| Location | Apollo Bunder, Bombay (Mumbai) |
| Ship Name | S.S. Arabia |
| Political Mentor | Gopal Krishna Gokhale |
| First Ashram Established | Satyagraha Ashram (Kochrab, Ahmedabad) |
| Commemorated As | Pravasi Bharatiya Divas |
| The “Vow” | One year of travel; no political speeches |
| First Major Public Speech | Banaras Hindu University (Feb 1916) |
The Hero of South Africa Returns
When Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi left India in 1893, he was an unsure, shy lawyer. When he returned in 1915, he was a battle-hardened activist who had brought the South African government to the negotiating table.
On the morning of January 9, 1915, the steamship S.S. Arabia docked at Apollo Bunder in Bombay. Thousands had gathered to catch a glimpse of the “Mahatma” (a title already bestowed upon him by Rabindranath Tagore via correspondence). Unlike other Western-educated leaders who wore suits, Gandhi stepped off the boat wearing a Kathiawadi cloak and turban, signaling his intent to reconnect with his roots.
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The Mentor’s Command: “Silence for a Year”
Gandhi was eager to jump into the independence movement, but Gopal Krishna Gokhale, the respected liberal leader and Gandhi’s political guru, urged caution. Gokhale realized that Gandhi had been away for too long and that the India of 1915 was vastly different from the India of 1893.
Gokhale extracted a promise from Gandhi: Travel the country for one year. See the people, understand their problems, but do not speak on political matters. Gandhi respected this advice religiously. This “Year of Silence” transformed him from a politician into a mass leader.
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The Great Indian Tour
For the next 12 months, Gandhi and Kasturba traveled the length and breadth of the country—often in third-class railway compartments. This was a deliberate choice. He wanted to experience the indignities faced by the common Indian.
He visited:
- Shantiniketan: Where he met Rabindranath Tagore and introduced self-help rituals like cleaning toilets to the students.
- Kumbh Mela (Haridwar): Where he was appalled by the corruption and lack of sanitation in the name of religion.
- Madras: Where he was astounded by the sharp intellect of the southern lawyers.
It was during these travels that Gandhi shed his Kathiawadi dress and eventually adopted the simple loincloth (dhoti), identifying himself completely with the poorest peasant.
The Birth of the Ashram
On May 25, 1915, Gandhi established his first base in India: the Satyagraha Ashram at Kochrab, near Ahmedabad. It was here that he began training his first batch of Indian volunteers in the vows of truth, non-violence, and celibacy. He controversially admitted a family of “untouchables” (Dalits) into the ashram, facing a boycott from orthodox donors. Gandhi stood firm, stating he would rather live in the untouchable slums than compromise on his principles.
Breaking the Silence: BHU 1916
The year of probation ended in February 1916. Gandhi made his first major public appearance at the opening of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU). The stage was filled with princes, maharajas, and Annie Besant. When Gandhi’s turn came, he shocked the elite audience.
He scolded the princes for their jewelry (“There is no salvation for India unless you strip yourselves of this jewelry and hold it in trust for your countrymen”). He questioned the cleanliness of the Vishwanath Temple. The speech was so radical that many dignitaries walked out. The “Year of Silence” was over; the era of the Mahatma had begun.
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Quick Comparison Table: Gandhi in South Africa vs. Gandhi in India (1915)
| Feature | South Africa Phase (1893–1914) | India Return Phase (1915–1916) |
| Primary Focus | Rights of Indian Immigrants | Independence & Social Reform |
| Clothing | Western Suits (Early) / Satyragrahi Dress | Kathiawadi / Loincloth (Later) |
| Method | Developing Satyagraha | Observing & Learning |
| Audience | Small Indian Diaspora | 300 Million Indians |
| Key Achievement | Smuts-Gandhi Agreement | Unifying the Masses (Post-1916) |
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- The Kaiser-i-Hind: Upon his return, Gandhi was awarded the Kaiser-i-Hind gold medal by the British for his ambulance work during the Boer War and Zulu rebellion. He would later return this medal in protest during the Non-Cooperation Movement.
- The “Coolie” Barrister: In South Africa, he was mocked as a “coolie” barrister. By the time he returned to India, the Governor of Bombay offered to host him—a sign of his growing stature.
- Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: Since 2003, the Government of India celebrates January 9 as the day to honor the Indian diaspora, chosen specifically to mark Gandhi’s return.
- The Third-Class Vow: Gandhi’s insistence on traveling third class was so rigid that when fans tried to upgrade him to first class, he refused, saying the “real India” travels in the third class.
Conclusion
Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India in 1915 was not just a homecoming; it was a collision of destiny. The “Year of Silence” imposed by Gokhale was perhaps the most important political strategy of Gandhi’s life. It grounded him in the reality of the Indian village, ensuring that when he finally raised his voice, it wasn’t just his own—it was the voice of millions.
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If you think you have remembered everything about this topic take this QUIZ
Results
#1. On which date did Mahatma Gandhi return to India from South Africa, marking a new phase in the freedom struggle?
#2. Who was Mahatma Gandhi’s political mentor who advised him to spend one year traveling India with “his ears open but his mouth shut”?
#3. Gandhi made his first major public speech in India in February 1916 at the opening of which institution?
#4. To honor Gandhi’s return, the Government of India celebrates January 9 as which day?
#5. Where did Gandhi establish his first base in India, the Satyagraha Ashram, on May 25, 1915?
#6. Why did Gandhi deliberately choose to travel in third-class railway compartments during his tour of India?
#7. Upon his return, Gandhi initially wore a Kathiawadi cloak and turban, but during his travels, he eventually adopted which simple attire?
When did Mahatma Gandhi return to India?
He returned on January 9, 1915.
Which ship did Gandhi arrive on?
He arrived in Bombay aboard the steamship S.S. Arabia.
Who advised Gandhi to travel India for a year?
His political mentor, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, advised him to keep his “ears open and mouth shut” for one year to understand India.
Why is January 9 celebrated as Pravasi Bharatiya Divas?
It is celebrated to commemorate the return of Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest “Pravasi” (expatriate), to India, acknowledging the contribution of the overseas Indian community.
Where did Gandhi establish his first Ashram in India?
He established the Satyagraha Ashram at Kochrab, Ahmedabad, in May 1915.
