Prince of Wales riots

The Prince of Wales riots occurred in Bombay (now also known as Mumbai), British India, between 17 and 20 November 1921 during the visit of Edward, Prince of Wales. The visit came during the non-cooperation movement protests for Indian self-rule, led by Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress. Gandhi had allied the mainly-Hindu Congress with the Muslim Khilafat Movement, who were concerned about the possibility that the British might depose the Ottoman Caliph. Gandhi called for his supporters to boycott the prince's visit and carry out a general strike (hartal).

The Prince was welcomed by members of the Parsi, Jewish and Anglo-Indian minorities. They were attacked by a Hindu and Muslim mob who also burnt shops, trams and cars. Parsi-owned liquor shops were a particular target. Anglo-Indian and Parsi mobs formed in response to the violence and attacked those they suspected of supporting the non-cooperation movement. Gandhi was shocked by the violence and declared he would undertake a hunger strike until peace was restored. The violence abated on 20 November, at least 58 lives having been lost. After the riots the British imprisoned thousands of non-cooperation movement supporters and Gandhi attempted to rebuild the movement with support from the minorities as well as the Hindu-Muslim majority.