Page:The Great Trial of Mahatma Gandhi.pdf/16

 marching through the main roads of Ahmedabad and occupying government buildings, banks and other places of importance. Everybody knew that it was a great day because the great man was going to be tried that day. There was absolutely no excitement in the town but the people seemed to be impressed with the solemnity of the occasion. The trial was announced to commence at 12 noon. But crowds began to wend their way towards the Government circuit house where the trial took place, much earlier than 12 noon.

At the gates and all round the court-house military were posted. Admission to the court-house was restricted by passes and only about 200 people could get in to witness the actual trial. At one end of the hall, there was a raised platform for the Judge. Below it, in front of the Judge, seats were provided for the Advocate-General and the Legal Remembrancer of the Government of Bombay. To the left two chairs were placed one for Mahatma Gandhi and another for Sjt. Banker. On the right some officers of the court were accommodated. The rest of the space in the hall was occupied by spectators including some of the well-known leaders of India.