Bardoli is located at a distance of 34 km from Surat
and it is considered one of the major travel destinations near the city.
The reason for this is that the place acquires an important place in the
history of India. It is visited by followers of Gandhiji and Sardar
Patel and also holds significance for the historians. In the year 1925,
the Taluka of Bardoli was severely hit by floods and famine. The farmers
of the region faced acute shortage of funds. The same year the
government raised the tax to 30 percent.
The regional social activists reached out to Sardar Patel for help. He
was respected by the Gujaratis across the state of Gujarat. After
uniting all the villagers, he discussed the matter with Gandhiji. With
his consent, Sardar initiated and spearheaded the campaign. It came to
be known as Bardoli Satyagrah. There was mass agitation in the state as
well as in the different parts of India. Finally, the government passed
a resolution in 1920, declaring the withdrawal of the tax hike.
The success of the campaign establishes Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as one
of the major leaders of the Indian Independence Movement. It was for the
first time Gandhiji addressed him as 'Sardar', meaning the chief or the
leader. Today, the place still haunts with the tale of the brave
peasants that suffered and stood undeterred against the injustice of the
foreign rulers. In the memory of the historic event an ashram known as
Swaraj Ashram has been built here. This ashram is visited by many
tourists every year, thus serving as a major tourism destination in the
state.
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