Acharya Vinoba Bhave started the Individual Satyagraha in 1940 from Pavnar in Maharashtra.

Introduction:
- The Individual Satyagraha was a significant movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1940 during the Indian freedom struggle.
- It aimed to protest against the British government's repressive laws and demand individual civil disobedience.

Reasons for starting the Individual Satyagraha:
- The British government had passed the Defense of India Act in 1939, which gave them extensive powers to suppress any form of dissent or protest.
- The Indian National Congress, led by Mahatma Gandhi, felt the need to protest against these repressive laws and demand the right to freedom of speech and expression.
- However, Gandhi did not want to start a mass movement immediately as he believed that India was not yet fully prepared for it.
- Therefore, he decided to launch the Individual Satyagraha, where individuals would voluntarily defy the British government's laws and court arrest.

Location of the launch:
- Acharya Vinoba Bhave was chosen by Mahatma Gandhi to be the first individual satyagrahi.
- Vinoba Bhave started the Individual Satyagraha on October 17, 1940, from Pavnar, a small village in Maharashtra.
- Pavnar was selected as the starting point because it was the birthplace of Vinoba Bhave and held great significance to him.

Significance of Pavnar:
- Pavnar was the place where Vinoba Bhave had established an ashram and had been working for the upliftment of the poor and marginalized sections of society.
- Vinoba Bhave's decision to start the Individual Satyagraha from Pavnar was a symbolic gesture, emphasizing the importance of working towards social and economic equality alongside the political struggle for independence.
- By launching the movement from Pavnar, Vinoba Bhave aimed to inspire others to actively participate in the freedom struggle while also addressing the issues of poverty and inequality.

Conclusion:
- Acharya Vinoba Bhave's decision to start the Individual Satyagraha from Pavnar in Maharashtra was a strategic move to emphasize the importance of socio-economic equality in the struggle for independence.
- The movement played a crucial role in mobilizing public support and highlighting the need for individual resistance against the British government's repressive laws.

The historical village Pavnar, situated 70 km south-west of Nagpur and 10kms north-east of Wardha, on the banks of Dham River was named after the legendary Rajput ruler Pavan. Major attractions of Pavnar are Gandhi Kuti and the Paramdham Ashram of Acharya Vinoba Bhave (Vinoba Ashram), the great social reformer and campaigner.