Ahmed Mohamed Cachalia joined the Satyagraha struggle in the Transvaal. He was an extremely wealthy man and was used to a life of luxury and comfort, yet he was one of the strongest supporters of the Satyagraha Campaign. He was not afraid to go to jail. Cachalia was imprisoned repeatedy during the struggle and was reduced to poverty. As a result of his activism, he became insolvent when his white creditors made a concerted run on him to punish him for his role in the Indian resistance. Many people in the Indian Community admired and respected Cachalia's courage.Gandhi himself described Cachalia as one of the most steadfast and courageous people he had met. He succeeded Essop Mia as the Chairperson of the British Indian Association in September of 1910. His son Ali lived at Tolstoy Farm with Gandhi.
Mani Bhavan (2004). Gandhiji's Associates in South Africa [online] Available at: https://www.gandhi-manibhavan.org/ [Accessed 2 October 2009]