Abbas Tyabji Biography 
Abbas Tyabji was a great Indian freedom fighter from Gujarat, who was a close associative of Mahatma Gandhi. He also served as the Chief Justice of the Baroda High Court. He was selected the leader of the Salt Satyagraha in May 1930, following the arrest of Gandhi and he was chosen by none other than Gandhi himself. But he too was arrested very soon and jailed by the British. He is also known as a key ally and supporter of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel during the 1918 Kheda Satyagraha, and the 1928 Bardoli Satyagraha. He is addressed as "Grand Old Man of Gujarat” by Mahatma Gandhi and his followers. Noted Indian Marxist historian and Padma Bhushan recipient Irfan Habib is his grandson. Noted Indian ornithologist and naturalist, Salim Ali is his nephew.
He was born in a rich family of Gujarat as the grandson of the merchant prince Mullah Tyab Ali Bhai Mian in the princely state of Baroda. He was brought up in an atmosphere suffused with loyalty to the British Empire. He studied Law in England. He was one of the earliest proponents of women's rights and supported women’s education. He also opposed ‘Parda’ system of his religion and sent his daughter to school when women education was not allowed in the conservative society then. He also stood against social evils like untouchability and attended the Social Conference held at Godhra in 1917, aside Mahatma Gandhi.
Jallianwala Bagh massacre and military violence in Punjab were those two incidents which prompted Abbas to enter National freedom struggle movement. Tyabji remained active in the Congress and presided over the Gujarat Political Conference in 1920. He is also known for leading Salt Satyagraha in 1930 following Gandhiji’s arrest. On 7 May 1930 Tyabji launched the Dharasana Satyagraha at the age of 75+. Abbas Tyabji died in Mussoorie in 1936.
Published: N/A
Updated: September 25, 2014
