Question

Why was salt law disliked by the masses?

Answer 1

The salt law was disliked by the masses for several reasons:
1. Unjust Taxation: The salt tax was seen as an unfair burden on the common people, as salt was an essential part of the diet. This tax disproportionately affected the poor, who could not afford to pay such high taxes on a basic necessity.
2. Monopoly on Salt Production: The British government imposed a monopoly on the production and sale of salt, which meant that people were denied the right to produce their own salt. This was seen as a direct attack on their economic freedom.
3. Exploitation: The revenue generated from the salt tax went to the British, who used it to fund their administration, which further fueled resentment among the Indian population.
Thus, the salt law symbolized the exploitation and control the British had over the lives of Indians, making it a focal point for resistance.

Answer 2

Salt officers were appointed by the British Government to enforce the salt monopoly. Their responsibilities included:
1. Monitoring the Production and Distribution of Salt: These officers ensured that all salt produced in India was controlled by the British authorities. Any illegal production or trade of salt was prohibited.
2. Preventing Smuggling: Officers were tasked with stopping the smuggling of salt from areas where it could be freely produced or where the British salt monopoly did not apply.
3. Enforcing the Tax: The salt officers collected the tax on salt, ensuring that all salt produced and consumed in India was taxed. This revenue was used to fund British military operations and governance.
Salt officers were seen as agents of oppression, directly involved in exploiting the Indian population through the salt tax.

Answer 3

Lord Irwin, the British Viceroy of India, failed to understand the significance of the Salt March for several reasons:
1. Underestimating the Power of Mass Mobilization: Irwin failed to recognize that the Salt March was not just a protest against the salt tax but a symbol of the broader Indian struggle for independence. Gandhi’s leadership and ability to mobilize the masses were underestimated.
2. Failure to Recognize the Symbolism: The Salt March was a symbolic act that galvanized Indians across the country. It represented a peaceful challenge to British authority, and Irwin misjudged the power of this nonviolent resistance.
3. Over-reliance on Repression: Irwin, like many British officials, believed that the best way to handle dissent was through repression and coercion. The Salt March was an example of how nonviolent resistance could undermine the British Empire without using force, which Irwin failed to understand.
4. Missed the Political Message: The march was not merely about the salt tax but was a direct challenge to British rule, asserting that India had the right to self-govern. Irwin misunderstood the deeper political message behind the march and viewed it as a mere nuisance rather than a transformative event.
Thus, Lord Irwin’s failure to understand the significance of the Salt March highlighted the British government's inability to grasp the emerging power of mass movements led by figures like Gandhi.