Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Gandhi's 1931 Passport Reveals His Last Overseas Journey
Mahatma Gandhi had a passport made in Bombay in 1931.
It allowed him to travel to Britain and several European countries.
He went to Britain to attend an important meeting about India’s future.
Gandhi wore simple clothes, including a dhoti and shawl, during the trip.
He stayed in a working-class neighborhood in London instead of a grand hotel.
He met famous people, including Charlie Chaplin and King George V. At Buckingham Palace, Gandhi drank goat’s milk while the king drank tea.
After returning to India, Gandhi was arrested six days later.
Gandhi’s passport application, issued in Bombay on August 28, 1931, is displayed at Mumbai’s Mani Bhavan.
He applied as a “British Protected Subject” to travel to the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Switzerland for the Round Table Conference.
Gandhi sailed on the SS Rajputana and attended the Second Round Table Conference in London as the Congress representative.
During the trip, he met Charlie Chaplin, visited universities and textile workers, and met King George V at Buckingham Palace.
Gandhi returned to Bombay in December 1931 and was arrested six days later and imprisoned in Yerwada jail.
- Who
- Mahatma Gandhi, accompanied by figures including B R Ambedkar, Sarojini Naidu and Madan Mohan Malaviya.
- What
- Gandhi travelled to Europe for the Second Round Table Conference and related engagements.
- When
- His passport application was dated August 28, 1931; he sailed on August 29, reached London on September 12, and returned in December 1931.
- Where
- The journey covered the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland and Italy, with the passport issued in Bombay.
- Why
- He travelled to attend the Second Round Table Conference in England as the Indian National Congress representative.
- Passport status
- Gandhi applied as a “British Protected Subject”.
- Application date
- August 28, 1931.
- Departure
- He sailed from India on the SS Rajputana on August 29, 1931.
- London arrival
- He reached London on September 12, 1931.
- Accommodation
- He stayed at Kingsley Hall in Bow, London.
- Palace meeting
- He met King George V and Queen Mary at Buckingham Palace in November 1931.
- Return and arrest
- He returned to Bombay in December 1931 and was arrested six days later.