Mahatma Gandhi, also affectionately known as Bapu or Gandhiji, was a transformative leader whose principles of non-violence and peaceful resistance had a profound impact on the world. He was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, a coastal town in present-day Gujarat, India. His full name was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.

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Early Life and Education

Gandhi’s childhood was that of an ordinary boy. He was shy and an average student in school. At the age of 13, Gandhi entered into an arranged marriage with Kasturba Gandhi, in accordance with the customs of the region at the time. This early marriage was something he later expressed disagreement with.

At the age of 18, Gandhi traveled to England to study law, a decision that was initially met with some resistance from his caste. He qualified as a barrister, which laid the foundation for his professional life. In England, Gandhi faced challenges due to cultural differences and tried to adapt by adopting English customs and clothing. He also became involved in the vegetarian movement in England, which aligned with his own vegetarian upbringing.

Activism in South Africa

After completing his studies, Gandhi returned to India in 1891. However, his legal career didn’t take off as expected. In 1893, he accepted a contract to work in South Africa. It was in South Africa that Gandhi first encountered and began to fight against the widespread discrimination faced by Indian settlers. This experience was pivotal in shaping his future methods of peaceful resistance.

He started his political activism by establishing the Natal Indian Congress in 1894, aiming to fight for the civil rights of the Indian community in South Africa. Gandhi’s time in South Africa was crucial in the development of his philosophy of non-violent protest, which he called ‘Satyagraha’, meaning ‘truth force’ or ‘soul force’.

Leadership in Indian Independence Movement

Gandhi returned to India in 1915, where he became a major political leader. He led India’s struggle for independence from British rule through non-violent civil disobedience. His involvement in the Champaran and Kheda agitations marked his first major successful civil disobedience movements in India. Gandhi’s leadership was marked by several key movements and campaigns, such as the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922), the Salt March (1930), and the Quit India Movement (1942). Each of these campaigns had a significant impact, demonstrating the power of peaceful protest and mobilizing millions of Indians against British rule.

Key Peaceful Protests that Changed India

1. Champaran Satyagraha (1917): Gandhi’s first big step in Indian politics was helping farmers in Bihar. These farmers were being treated unfairly by the British, who made them grow certain crops at low prices. Gandhi used peaceful ways to protest and gather facts. His work helped the farmers get better treatment, showing that peaceful protests could really change things.
2. Kheda Satyagraha (1918): In Gujarat’s Kheda district, farmers were having a tough time because there was not enough rain and the crops were failing. Still, the British wanted them to pay taxes. Gandhi led the farmers in peacefully saying no to paying taxes. They worked together and showed strength, and the British had to stop demanding tax that year.
3. Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922): Gandhi asked everyone in India to stop using British products and not to follow British rules. This was a way of saying they didn’t accept British control. Lots of people joined in, which made the British realize they were losing power. Gandhi stopped this movement when it started to get violent to make sure it stayed peaceful.
4. Salt March (1930): This was a big protest where Gandhi and others walked 240 miles to make their own salt from the sea. The British had rules that said they were the only ones allowed to make salt. By making salt themselves, Gandhi and the people showed they didn’t accept these unfair rules. This march got attention all over the world and encouraged many people to fight for India’s freedom.
5. Quit India Movement (1942): During World War II, Gandhi started a movement to make the British leave India. He told people to do their best for freedom, even if it was tough. The British tried to stop the movement, but many people in India joined in to show they wanted to be free.

Final Years and Assassination

India finally achieved independence in 1947. However, the joy of independence was marred by the partition of India into two nations, India and Pakistan, leading to widespread communal violence. Gandhi was deeply affected by this violence and worked tirelessly to foster peace between Hindus and Muslims. Tragically, Gandhi was assassinated on January 30, 1948, in New Delhi by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist.

Legacy and Controversies

Gandhi’s legacy as a champion of non-violence and human rights continues to inspire individuals and movements globally. His birthday, October 2, is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti in India and as the International Day of Non-Violence worldwide. His teachings and methods have influenced civil rights movements and leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela.

Gandhi’s life was not without its controversies. His stance on the partition of India and his methods of social reform have been subjects of debate and criticism. Nonetheless, his commitment to non-violence, truth, and social justice remains a beacon for people striving for a more equitable and compassionate world.

Intersecting Facts about Mahatma Gandhi

1. A Shy Student: Gandhi was actually a shy and average student in school. This shows that you don’t have to be the most outgoing or top of your class to make a big impact on the world.
2. Teenage Marriage: Gandhi was married at the young age of 13 to Kasturba Gandhi, which was common in his culture at the time. They remained together for the rest of their lives.
3. A Vegetarian Traveler: When Gandhi traveled to England to study law, he promised his mother he would not eat meat. He stuck to this promise and even joined a vegetarian society in London, where he learned more about different types of vegetarian diets.
4. Multilingual Abilities: Gandhi could speak and write in multiple languages, including Gujarati, Hindi, English, and learned to speak a bit of Tamil and Afrikaans during his time in South Africa.
5. Walking Enthusiast: One of Gandhi’s most famous protests was the Salt March, where he walked 240 miles. He believed in simple living and often walked long distances.
6. A Unique Writer: Gandhi wrote a lot! His collected writings, speeches, and letters take up more than 50,000 pages.
7. Nobel Prize Nominations: Gandhi was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize five times but never won it.
8. Love for Animals: Gandhi strongly advocated for the ethical treatment of animals. He believed that the greatness of a nation could be judged by how its animals are treated.
9. Fasting for Peace: Gandhi often used fasting as a means of peaceful protest. He believed that fasting could bring attention to important issues in a non-violent way.
10. Film Fame: A movie about Gandhi’s life, titled “Gandhi,” was released in 1982 and won several Academy Awards. It helped to introduce Gandhi’s philosophy and life story to a new generation.

Essential Reads: Autobiography and Biographies of Mahatma Gandhi

These biographies of Mahatma Gandhi provide various perspectives on Gandhi’s life and philosophy, written by different authors who have studied his life and legacy.

• Autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi “The Story of My Experiments with Truth” by Mahatma Gandhi: This is Gandhi’s own narrative of his life, covering his early years, his spiritual development, and his involvement in the struggle for Indian independence.
• Biographies of Mahatma Gandhi “Gandhi: The Years That Changed the World, 1914-1948” by Ramachandra Guha “Gandhi Before India” by Ramachandra Guha “Mahatma Gandhi: His Life and Ideas” by Charles F. Andrews “Great Soul: Mahatma Gandhi and His Struggle with India” by Joseph Lelyveld “Gandhi: A Political and Spiritual Life” by Kathryn Tidrick “Gandhi: Prisoner of Hope” by Judith M. Brown

Gandhi’s Impact on Today’s World

Today, Mahatma Gandhi’s ideas are still very important and give people hope. He taught that we should solve problems peacefully, tell the truth, and not use violence. Many leaders and people fighting for fairness, like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela, have used Gandhi’s peaceful ways in their own work. Now, when the world is changing fast and we face big problems like harming the environment, Gandhi’s ideas about living simply and taking care of nature are really useful. Schools all over the world teach about Gandhi, showing how important it is to be good and live right. Gandhi’s life reminds us that we can make good changes in the world without fighting, and his lessons encourage us to work for a fair and kind world.