Situated at a distance of 5 kilometers from the heart of the city, Dandi in Surat is a center for the production of salt and is of historical importance to all the Indians. Owing to its significance in the history of Indian Independence struggle, the region has become one of the chief Surat tourist attractions.

Beckoning the history of the Indian independence struggle would rekindle the historic act of civil disobedience started in Surat. The famous Dandi March was launched in this region by Gandhiji and his followers in the year 1930. The taxes levied on salt were imposed by the British in the year 1930. To refuge the imposition of taxes in the region, the Dandi March was launched. In the early months of spring in the year 1930, 78 dedicated followers along with their leader, Gandhiji, marched 241 miles from the Sabarmati Ashram to the salt center in the remote hamlet of Dandi.

The apparent purpose of the march may have been to protest against the levying of salt taxes, the underlying purpose was to start the non-violent civil disobedience act that would root out the British Empire from their colonial rule in India. The breach of law by the Dandi March was the primary salvo directed to the yoke of the British Empire.