Initially, the ashram was established at Kochrab area of Ahmedabad on 25 May 1915, after Gandhi’s return from South Africa. Later on it was shifted to on the banks of the river Sabarmati. It was called Satyagraha Ashram, but later it was named after the same river. This ashram served as one of the main centres of the Indian freedom struggle. This was barren land was perfect place for ashram, as he wanted to conduct some experiments related to farming, animal husbandry, cow breeding and Khadi related activities. There was a mythological reason also, as this land was ashram site of Rishi Dadhichi, who gave bones for a righteous war between Gods and Asurs. One more prominent reason was that, it was between a jail and a crematorium, and it was believed that satyagrahi has to invariably go to either place. From 1917 to 1930, this remained Gandhi’s home.