1896

January

23

Gandhi applied for appointment as a Gujarati interpreter in Natal Court

1896

January

27

The Times, London,  referred to Gandhi as one "whose efforts on behalf of his Indian fellow-subjects in South Africa entitle him to respect".

1896

February

26

Petitioned Governor of Zululand  protesting against the Townships Regulations.

1896

March

3

Natal Government Gazette released text of new draft Franchise Bill, introduced in legislature.

1896

March

5

Petition regarding the Townships Regulations rejected by Government.

1896

March

11

Gandhi made representations to  Chamberlain against the Townships Regulations.

1896

April

27

Franchise Bill, in its modified  form, disfranchising natives of other countries who did not enjoy parliamentary franchise  there, presented to Natal Parliament. Natal Indians petitioned Legislative Assembly at  Pietermaritzburg against the Bill.

1896

May

6

Franchise Bill read second time.

1896

May

7

Gandhi cabled Chamberlain and  British Committee of the Indian National Congress against acceptance of the Franchise Bill  or any alterations thereto till Indian memorial in that behalf was presented.

1896

May

13

Franchise Bill given third reading  and passed in the Legislative Assembly.

1896

May

26

Representatives of Durban Indian  community authorized Gandhi, who was due to leave for India, to "represent the  grievances the Indians are laboring under in South Africa before the authorities and  public men and public bodies in India."

1896

June

2

Presented with address on behalf of  Natal Indian Congress.

1896

June

4

Gandhi given address by Durban  Indians at farewell meeting in Congress Hall.

1896

June

5

Gandhi left for India.

1896

July

4

Gandhi reached  Calcutta, having left Durban by ship on June 5. Departed for Bombay via Allahabad. Missing  his train at Allahabad, stayed there for the day and interviewed Mr.Chesney, Editor of The  Pioneer. This interview, he wrote later, "laid the foundation of the series of  incidents which ultimately led to my being lynched in Natal."

1896

July

9

Reached Rajkot.

1896

Joined the  Sanitary Visitors' Committee at Rajkot on the outbreak of plague in Bombay.

1896

August

14

Published the Green Pamphlet at Rajkot.

1896

August

17

Left Rajkot for  Bombay.

1896

August

19

Met Ranade, Badruddin Tyabji and  Pherozeshah Mehta in Bombay.

1896

September

11

Left Bombay for Rajkot, with ailing  brother-in-law whom he nursed up to his dying moments.

1896

September

14

Reuter's cable from London to  Durban released misleading report about the contents of the Green Pamphlet.

1896

September

16

Europeans of Durban formed a  European Protecting Association, incited by the summary of Reuter's cable in the Natal  papers.

1896

September

26

Addressed public meeting, presided  over by Pherozeshah Mehta, in Bombay.

1896

September

26

Bombay meeting protested against  ill-usage of Indians in South Africa and decided to petition the Secretary of State for  India for redress.

1896

October

11

Left Bombay for Madras via Poona.

1896

October

12

Stayed the day in Poona, met  Gokhale, Lokamanya Tilak and Dr. Bhandarkar.

1896

October

24

Arrived at Madras.

1896

October

26

Addressed public meeting at  Pachaiyappa College Hall, Madras.

1896

October

31

Reached Calcutta via Nagpur. Met  Surendranath Benerjea and other leaders of public opinion.

1896

November

12

Received cable from Dada Abdulla,  Durban, asking him to return to Natal as Volksraad had recommended that Indians should be  forced to reside in locations.

1896

November

13

Addressed letter to The  Englishman on the problem of the Indians in South Africa.

1896

November

14(15?)

Reached Bombay.

1896

November

16

Went to Poona and addressed public  meeting under the auspices of the Sarvajanik Sabha.

1896

November

20

Returned to Bombay.

1896

November

26

Mass meeting of Durban Europeans  under Mayor's chairmanship condemned Asiatic immigration. Audience hissed at mentioned of  Gandhi's name. Colonial Patriotic Union set up.

1896

November

30

Gandhi sent telegram to the Viceroy  at Calcutta, drawing attention to the Transvaal Government's decision to force Indians to  live in locations. Left Bombay for South Africa by S.S. Courland along with wife  and two sons.

1896

December

18

Ships Courland and Naderi,  carrying Indian passengers, reached Durban.

1896

December

19

Natal Government published  notification declaring Bombay an infected port in view of plague in some parts of the  Bombay Province. Ships put under five days quarantine, which period was extended from time  to time till January 11.

1896

December

19

Natal Government published  notification declaring Bombay an infected port in view of plague in some parts of the  Bombay Province. Ships put under five days quarantine, which period was extended from time  to time till January 11.

1896

December

25

Gandhi addressed ship-mates at a  Christmas Day gathering on Western civilization. Natal newspapers charged him later with  "indulging in animated condemnation of Natal Whites" and "with desire to  swamp Natal with Indians".

1896

December

29

Europeans of Durban advertised  meeting on January 4, for demonstrating against the landing of the Indians. Newspapers  full of "Asiatic invasion" story.

1896

December

31

Indian National Congress, in  session at Calcutta, adopted, on motion by G.P. Pillai, delegate from the Natal Indian  Congress briefed by Gandhi, resolution protesting against the disabilities of Indians in  South Africa and appealing to the Government for remedial measures.