In 1918, Mahatma Gandhi went to which Indian city to organise a satyagraha movement among cotton mill workers protesting against low wages and harsh working conditions?

Introduction / Context:
This question is part of the story of Mahatma Gandhi's early mass movements in India after his return from South Africa. Before launching nationwide campaigns, Gandhi experimented with local satyagrahas to apply his methods of non violent resistance. One of these was directed at improving the condition of cotton mill workers. Knowing the correct city helps you track the sequence of Champaran, Kheda and Ahmedabad satyagrahas and understand how Gandhi built his leadership among peasants and workers.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The year given is 1918.
• The movement was a satyagraha among cotton mill workers.
• Gandhi organised the campaign in a specific city.
• Options are Madras, Bombay, Surat, Ahmedabad and Nagpur.
• We assume familiarity with the key places of Gandhi's early campaigns in India.

Concept / Approach:
In 1917, Gandhi led the Champaran movement in Bihar among indigo cultivators. In 1918, he was involved in the Kheda satyagraha in Gujarat and the Ahmedabad mill workers strike. The Ahmedabad campaign centred on disputes between mill owners and workers over wages and working conditions. Gandhi undertook a fast to support the workers. Ahmedabad, not Bombay, Madras, Surat or Nagpur, is specifically associated with this cotton mill workers satyagraha. Therefore, the correct approach is to separate peasant movements from worker movements and associate the latter in 1918 with Ahmedabad.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Champaran (1917) involved indigo peasants in Bihar, and Kheda (1918) involved peasants facing crop failure in Gujarat. Step 2: Recognise that the question is about cotton mill workers, not peasants. Step 3: Remember that Gandhi led a major cotton mill workers strike in Ahmedabad in 1918. Step 4: Confirm that Ahmedabad is a major industrial city in Gujarat with a strong textile industry. Step 5: Select Ahmedabad from the options as the city where this satyagraha took place.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify by grouping Gandhi's early campaigns: Champaran for indigo planters, Kheda for tax relief to peasants, and Ahmedabad for industrial workers. Bombay did have mill workers and later labour movements, but this particular 1918 satyagraha is consistently described as the Ahmedabad textile workers strike. Madras, Surat and Nagpur do not figure as centres of a famous Gandhi led cotton mill workers movement in that year. This cross check makes Ahmedabad the only consistent answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Madras: An important colonial city but not the site of Gandhi's 1918 cotton mill workers satyagraha.

Bombay: Had a major textile industry, yet the iconic 1918 campaign with Gandhi's leadership and fasting took place in Ahmedabad, not Bombay.
Surat: Known for other political events, including early Congress splits, but not for the 1918 Ahmedabad style mill workers satyagraha.
Nagpur: A significant political centre later, especially for movements like the Non Cooperation campaign, but not the location of this specific workers movement in 1918.

Common Pitfalls:
Many learners quickly associate cotton mills with Bombay and choose it without considering the specific year and event. Others may mix up Gandhian campaigns in different parts of Gujarat, confusing Kheda, Champaran and Ahmedabad. To avoid mistakes, always remember the trio clearly: Champaran equals indigo peasants, Kheda equals tax relief for peasants, and Ahmedabad equals cotton mill workers. This mental map helps you choose the right city when the question mentions workers and 1918 together.

Final Answer:
In 1918, Gandhi organised the cotton mill workers satyagraha in Ahmedabad.