1906

January

1

£1  tax on Indians aged 18 or above enforced; Natal Early Closing Act came into force.

1906

January

2

Earthquake disaster in  San Francisco.

1906

January

20

Mansukhlal Hiralal  Nazar, at one time Editor, Indian Opinion , died.

1906

February

3

Hindi and Tamil  columns of Indian Opinion discontinued.

1906

February

9

British Indian  Association, in letter to Colonial Secretary, protested against changes in permit  regulations.

1906

February

10

Association protested  to Johannesburg town Council against restrictions on Indians using team-cars.

1906

February

14

Association took  exception to prohibition of Indians’ traveling by particular trains between Pretoria  and Johannesburg.

1906

February

16

Association joined  issue with Transvaal Leader on question of Indians using tramcars in Johannesburg.

1906

February

22

In statement to  Dadabhai Naoroji, Gandhi stressed need for safeguarding Indian interests under responsible  government in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony.

1906

February

26

Suggested to Dadabhai  Naoroji that a deputation wait on British Ministers on behalf of South African Indians.

1906

February

28

Spoke at presentation  of address by Natal Indian Congress to Abdul Kadir, retiring President.

1906

Zulu Rebellion broke  out during this month.

1906

March

7

Gandhi appeared for  plaintiff in tram test case at Johannesburg.

1906

March

Before1 0

Natal Indian Congress  protested to Colonial Secretary against imposition of prohibitive fees for certificates  and passes under Immigration Restriction Act.

1906

March

10

Gandhi criticized  resolution of the Congress of Associated Chambers of Commerce of South Africa regarding  "continual influx of Asiatics".

1906

Waited in deputation  on Assistant Colonial Secretary regarding permit grievances in the Transvaal.

1906

March

11

Addressed meeting at  Pretoria.

1906

March

12

Appeared in tram test  case and won.

1906

March

16

Bill to amend Cape  Immigration Restriction Act of 1902 published in Government Gazette.

1906

March

17

Gandhi exhorted  Indians to volunteer their services to the Government on the occasion of the Zulu  Rebellion.

1906

March

19

In letter to Dadabhai  Naoroji, drew attention to hardships under Peace Preservation Ordinance and Law 3 of 1885  in the Transvaal.

1906

March

21

Addressed Colored  peoples’ meeting at Johannesburg.

1906

March

24

Commended Colored  peoples’ petition to Imperial Government for franchise and other rights.

1906

March

30

Dr. Abdurrahman met  Lord Selborne regarding grievances of Cape Colored people.

1906

Dada Osman appealed to  Secretary of State for Colonies against refusal to him of trading licence.

1906

March

Before 31

Imperial Government  set up Commission on Transvaal Constitution.

1906

March

31

Gandhi deprecated  import of Indian labor for Transvaal mines.

1906

April

Before 7

British  Indian deputation met Railway authorities at Johannesburg to represent Indian grievances.

1906

Gandhi  wrote to Leader, pointing out anomaly in restrictions on Indians’ entry into  the Transvaal.

1906

April

12

Addressed  letter to William Wedderburn on deteriorating condition of Indians in the Transvaal.

1906

April

Before 14

Durban  town Council passed resolution calling upon Licensing Officer not to issue fresh licences  to hawkers.

1906

Natal  Indian Congress decided to send deputation to England under Gandhi’s leadership.

1906

H.O. Ally  waited on Sir Richard Solomon, Acting Lt.-Governor, concerning Malay Location.

1906

April

23

At Durban  meeting to consider future of Indian Opinion, Gandhi reiterated its objects and  appealed to Indian community to make it its own.

1906

April

24

Welcomed  establishment of Young Men’s Mahomedan Association for promoting education; was  entrusted with task of drafting its constitution.

1906

Addressed  Natal Indian Congress meeting which then offered to form an ambulance corps.

1906

April

Before 26

Was  interviewed by The Natal Mercury regarding proposed deputation to Imperial  Government.

1906

April

28

Criticized  Natal Stores Employees’ Association for irresponsible statement on Shops Act.

1906

Issued  statement in reply to criticism at meetings of Young Men’s Issued statement in reply  to criticism

1906

May

Before 5

Met  General Manager, Natal Government Railways, regarding prohibition of Indians from  traveling by certain trains between Johannesburg and Pretoria.

1906

May

5

Appealed  to Natal Government to consider Indian position regarding Land Clauses Bill in a  statesmanlike manner.

1906

Commended  idea of starting chamber of Indian merchants.

1906

May

Before 12

British  Indian Association wrote to Lord Selborne regarding permits and visitors’ passes.

1906

May

12

Gandhi  supported home rule for India "in the name of justice and for the good of  humanity".

1906

May

Before 14

Constitution  Commission held three meetings at Johannesburg.

1906

May

Before 18

Lord  Selborne turned down British Indian Association’s representation regarding permits.

1906

May

18

Judgment  favoring Indians’ right to use trams awarded in Coovadia test case.

1906

May

19

Johannesburg  Municipality notified repeal of tram regulations and restoration of smallpox regulations  which would serve to restrict the use of trams by Indians.

1906

May

21

Gandhi  questioned, in Transvaal Leader, the ethics of Johannesburg Town Council’s  action.

1906

May

22

Led  representative deputation to Constitution Committee and presented Indians’ viewpoint.

1906

May

Before 25

Lord  Selborne refused to reconsider Indian stand on permits.

1906

May

25

Gandhi  secured acquittal of minor boy charged with violating Law 3 of 1885.

1906

May

26

Apropos of  Queen Victoria’s birthday celebrations, appealed to public men of South Africa to  abjure race hatred and color prejudice.

1906

May

27

Wrote to  brother, Lakshmidas, declaring his disinterestedness in worldly possessions.

1906

May

29

Presented  statement of constitution Committed.

1906

May

30

British  Indian Association decided to include Haji Habib and Ally in deputation to England.

1906

Natal  Government accepted Congress offer regarding ambulance corps.

1906

June

2

Gandhi  pleaded for better amenities to deck-passengers. Addressed meeting of Indians in Durban to  raise funds for ambulance work.

1906

June

Before 6

British  Indian Committee, London, suggested Gandhi alone proceed to England to present Indian  case.

1906

Chairman,  British Indian Association, and Polak not allowed to use tram in Johannesburg.

1906

British  Indian Association decided to file test cases regarding permits if Government failed to  redress Indian grievances.

1906

June

8

Gandhi  informed Dadabhai Naoroji that deputation to England was deferred in view of ambulance  work at the front.

1906

June

9

Appealed  to Indians for contributions to Soldiers’ Fund.

1906

June

Before 13

Issued  statement of The Natal Mercury on difficulties of Indians.

1906

June

16

Indian  Stretcher-bearer Corps’ pledge of allegiance published in Indian Opinion.

1906

June

21

Ambulance  Corps received marching orders.

1906

June

22

Gandhi  given rank of Sergeant-Major by Government. Entrained with Ambulance Corps.

1906

Wrote to  Gokhale about Corps; invited him to visit South Africa on way back home.

1906

June

Before 23

Bhayat’s  right to a permit under Peace Preservation Ordinance vindicated in court.

1906

June / July

23 ... 18

Gandhi on  ambulance duty at the front.

1906

July

19

Stretcher-bearer  Corps disbanded.

1906

July

20

Members of  Corps feted at Stanger. Gandhi spoke at congress reception in Durban.

1906

Suggested  that Indians be allowed to join permanent volunteer corps.

1906

July

23

Congress  resolved to present medals to members of Corps. Gandhi spoke at Diamond Jubilee Library  meeting.

1906

British  Indian Association emphasized necessity of sending deputation to England.

1906

July

30

Gandhi  sought Wedderburn’s opinion on deputation’s usefulness.

1906

Wrote to  Principal Medical Officer of Natal Militia suggesting formation of permanent Ambulance  Corps and exphasizing special training for it.

1906

August

4

Pointed  out difficulties of Indian refugees seeking to reenter the Transvaal.

1906

Wrote on  differences between Lyttelton and Elgin constitutions.

1906

Colonial  Secretary informed Legislative Council of Government’s intention to introduce Bill to  reregister Asiatics in the Transvaal. British Indian Association proposed immediate  action.

1906

August

6

Gandhi  wrote to Dadabhai Naoroji about hardships of Transvaal Indians under proposed  re-registration and suggested that latter interviewed Secretaries of State for India and  Colonies.

1906

August

7

Sir Henry  MacCallum, Natal Governor, thanked Gandhi for services rendered by Stretcher-bearer Corps.

1906

August

Before 9

In letter  to The Rand Daily Mail, Gandhi demanded full civil liberty for Indians.

1906

August

11

Analyzed  in Indian Opinion , Colonial Secretary’s statement on re-registration  Ordinance.

1906

August

12

Spoke at  Hamidiya Islamic Society exhorting Indians to organize a protest against Colonial  Secretary’s statement on Ordinance.

1906

August

13

In letter  to Dadabhai Naoroji, pointed out need for equitable legislation by Imperial Government  concerning the Transvaal. Natal Indian Congress petitioned Lord Elgin regarding Municipal  Consolidation Bill.

1906

August

18

Favored  adoption of Hindustani in India for achieving nationhood.

1906

Reported  Malay Location Committee’s decision to challenge Town Council’s rejection of  petition.

1906

August

21

Cape  Licences Act gazetted.

1906

August

22

Draft  Asiatic Law Amendment Ordinance published in Transvaal Government Gazetter.

1906

August

25

Gandhi  demanded British Indians be no longer classed with ed people.

1906

British  Indian Association in letter to Colonial Secretary protested against Ordinance.

1906

August

28

Gandhi  cabled India concerning re-registration under Ordinance; suggested commission of enquiry.

1906

September

1

Led  deputation to Colonial Secretary at Pretoria.

1906

September

4

Ordinance  introduced in Transvaal Assembly.

1906

September

8

Gandhi  described Government’s persistence in enacting Draft Asiatic Ordinance as crime  against humanity.

1906

Gandhi  described Government’s persistence in enacting Draft Asiatic Ordinance as crime  against humanity.

1906

September

Before 9

At  meeting, Gandhi interpreted "the Black Act" as first step to hound Indians out  of country, and called for resistance.

1906

September

9

Spoke at  Hamidiya Islamic Society meeting, on political situation in the Transvaal and stressed  need to send deputation to England; advised people not to register, and offered himself to  court imprisonment first.

1906

September

11

Mass  Meeting of British Indians at Johannesburg demanded withdrawal of Ordinance; warned  Indians would resort to resistance if Ordinance became law.

1906

September

12

British  Indian Association sent Transvaal Lt.-Governor resolutions passed at Mass Meeting. Gandhi  wrote to The Rand Daily Mail, explaining his stand.

1906

September

Before 14

British  Indians Association wrote to The Star affirming Indians’ resolve not to  submit to unbearable conditions.

1906

September

14

Indian  woman, Punia, traveling by train, arrested and detained at Volksrust for being without  separate permit.

1906

September

15

Punia  tried, ordered to leave Colony and re-arrested at Germiston for defiance of order.

1906

September

18

High  Commissioner informed British Indian Association that Ordinance had not yet received  formal assent.

1906

September

19

Apropos of  Punia case, Gandhi wrote to Press criticizing Transvaal Government for its war on women  and even infants.

1906

September

20

Declared  his readiness to accept court of inquiry to investigate illegal influx of Indians into the  Transvaal.

1906

September

21

Wrote to  Leader, Challenging its statement that Indians were bringing into Colony women of  indifferent character as wives. The Natal Mercury published official explanation  of Punia case. Indian meeting finally decided to send Gandhi and Ally as a deputation to  England.

1906

Lord  Selborne informed British Indian Association that assent would not be given to Ordinance  until deputation had visited England.

1906

September

24

Lord  Selborne communicated to British Indian Association Lord Elgin’s view that deputation  would serve no useful purpose.

1906

September

26

Association  inquired of Transvaal Governor if Ordinance had been accorded royal sanction.

1906

September

Before 29

Lord  Selborne wrote to British Indian Association, refusing to accept letter’s point of  view regarding Ordinance.

1906

September

30

Association  wired Transvaal Governor requesting Imperial Government to withhold assent to Vrededorp  State ordinance till deputation had represented Indian viewpoint.

1906

Deputation  accorded farewell on eve of departure.

1906

October

1

Gandhi and  Ally entrained at Johannesburg for Cape town, en route to England.

1906

October

3

Deputation  reached Cape Town and after reception by leading Indians, boarded S.S. Armadale  Castle.

1906

October

8

British  Indian Association forwarded to Transvaal Governor text of cable to Secretary of State for  Colonies requesting stay of Vrededorp Stands Ordinance pending representation.

1906

Association  petitioned Lord Elgin regarding Vrededorp Stands ordinance.

1906

October

9

Transvaal  Leader retracted statement of its Durban correspondent libeling Indian women.

1906

October  10 - 11

Gandhi  wrote dispatches for Indian Opinion; was studying Tamil.

1906

October

20

His  answers to questions regarding Asiatic Ordinance and methods of resistance published in Indian Opinion.

1906

October

20

Gandhi and  H.O. Ally arrived at Southampton, England. Gandhi interviewed by The Tribune and The  Morning Leader. Met Dadabhai Naoroji.

1906

October

21

Deputation  reached London. Accompanied by Prof. Parmanand, Gandhi visited J.H. Polak and stayed with  him for the day.

1906

Met Pandit  Shyamji Krishnavarma.

1906

October

22

Gandhi  wrote to The Times answering charge of Asiatic influx into South Africa.

1906

Natal  Indian Congress adopted resolution supporting Transvaal Indians’ struggle against  Asiatic law Amendment Ordinance.

1906

October

Before 25

Gandhi met  Sir Muncherji Bhownaggree.

1906

October

25

Interviewed  by South Africa.

1906

Called on  Ally at lady Margaret Hospital.

1906

October

25

Winston  Churchill, Undersecretary of State for Colonies, stated in Commons that Natal Municipal  Franchise Bill was under consideration of Secretary of State for Colonies.

1906

October

26

Gandhi met  Sir William Wedderburn and Dadabhai Naoroji.

1906

First  anniversary of Bengal partition observed in India as day of mourning.

1906

October

27

Gandhi  interviewed by Reuter.

1906

Met Sir  Muncherji Bhownaggree and Sir George Birdwood.

1906

October

30

Met Sir  Muncherji Bhownaggree.

1906

October

31

Drafted  representation to Lord Elgin, Secretary of State for Colonies.

1906

Met Sir  Richard Solomon at House of Commons.

1906

November

1

Attended  National Indian Association reception.

1906

Interviewed  by South Africa.

1906

November

3

Attended  London Indian Society and Pan-Islamic Society meetings.

1906

November

6

Met F.H.  Brown, Sir Curzon Wyllie and Ameer Ali.

1906

November

7

Addressed  Members of Parliament.

1906

November

8

Deputation  called on Lord Elgin.

1906

November

9

Gandhi and  Ally met Sir Lepel Griffin and Lord George Hamilton.

1906

November

10

Gandhi saw  Bernard Holland.

1906

November

11

Met Mrs.  W.C. Bonnerjee.

1906

November

13

Called on  Secretary, British Committee of Indian National Congress.

1906

November

14

In  Commons, Churchill promised to make inquiries in regard to genuineness of petition by Dr.  Godfrey and Pillay.

1906

November

15

Gandhi met  Mrs. Spencer Walton.

1906

November

Before 16

Met W.T.  Stead and Miss Winterbottom.

1906

November

16

Wrote to The Times and gave interview to South Africa regarding Godfrey-Pillay  petition.

1906

November

Before 17

Met  Theodore Morison, Sir Richard Solomon and Miss Smith.

1906

November

20

Dadabhai  Naoroji felicitated by British and Indian admirers in London on election as President of  Indian National Congress.

1906

November

23

Deputation  met John Morley, Secretary of State for India. Churchill stated in Commons that Vrededorp  Stands Ordinance of 1906 was still under consideration.

1906

November

23

Gandhi and  Ally met A.J. Balfour, A. Lyttelton, Sir Raymond West and Lord Reay.

1906

November

26

Gandhi  opened discussion on British Indians in South Africa at East India Association meeting.

1906

Liberal  M.P.’s decided to ask Prime Minister, Sir Genry Campbell-Bannerman, to receive  deputation regarding Asiatic Law Amendment Ordinance.

1906

November

27

Gandhi  interviewed by The Daily News.

1906

A  deputation of M.P.’s met the Prime Minister who said "that he did not approve of  the Ordinance and that he would speak to Lord Elgin.."

1906

November

28

Met  Winston Churchill.

1906

Questioned  in Commons about the desirability of instituting limited Native franchise in new  Constitution of Orange River Colony, Churchill expressed hope that Colonial parliament  would show proper recognition of principle of "equal rights for all civilized  men".

1906

November

29

Gandhi and  Ally entertained friends and sympathizers at farewell breakfast in Hotel Cecil.

1906

December

1

Left England for South Africa.

1906

December

3

Churchill informed Commons that Secretary of State for Colonies was not able "without further consideration" to advise His Majesty that the Transvaal Ordinance should be brought  into operation and it would not "be further proceeded with at present".

1906

December

6

Transvaal and Orange River Colony granted self-government.

1906

December

18

Transvaal Deputation arrived at Cape Town.

1906

December

20

Left CapeTown for Johannesburg.

1906

December

22

Reception to Deputation at Johannesburg.

1906

December

23

Gandhi spoke at meeting of British Indian Association; at Johannesburg, address was presented to him and Ally.

1906

December

25

Pretoria, Boksburg and Germiston Indians presented address to Gandhi and Ally.

1906

December

26

Reception in Durban; Gandhi appealed for unity and continuation of struggle. In India, Dadabhai  Naoroji declared Swaraj as goal of Congress; Vande Mataram sung for first time at  Congress session.

1906

December

27

Indian National Congress by resolution expressed "grave apprehension" that the policies  of the Ordinance were "almost certain to be enforced" as soon as Transvaal  became self-governing, unless Imperial Government continued to extend firm protection.

1906

December

29

Reception to Deputation by Indian community at Verulam.