38. Origin of 'Gandhi Cap'

Mr. H. S. L. Polak, who was closely associated with Gandhiji in his South African campaign, explained some years ago the "origin" of the "Gandhi Cap" in a letter in The Manchester Guardian. He wrote:

"There are surprisingly few people, even among Indian Nationalists, who recall the origin of the so-called 'Gandhi Cap'. It formed part of the uniform which Mr. Gandhi, as a non-White political prisoner, wore during the South African Indian passive resistance struggle of 1907 to 1914. He later used it when, on his return to India, he further developed his technique of non-violent Civil Disobedience."