Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, widely known as Mahatma Gandhi, was born on 2nd October 1869 in Porbandar, a coastal town in present-day Gujarat, India. His father, Karamchand Gandhi, served as the Diwan (chief minister) of Porbandar, and his mother, Putlibai, was deeply religious, known for her devotion to Hindu traditions and her profound influence on young Gandhi. This familial environment, which combined political exposure through his father and spiritual discipline through his mother, laid the foundation for Gandhi’s later principles of truth, nonviolence, and ethical living.
From a young age, Gandhi exhibited traits that would later define his life. He was shy, introspective, and highly influenced by his mother’s piety. Stories from his childhood reveal a boy deeply concerned with morality, honesty, and justice. One popular anecdote recounts how young Gandhi, when asked by a guest to eat some nuts, insisted on returning them after realizing he had taken more than he had been given, demonstrating an early awareness of fairness and personal accountability.
Education and Early Struggles
Gandhi’s formal education began in Porbandar and later Rajkot. He was an average student, more interested in reading literature and moral stories than excelling academically. His school years were marked by struggles with memorization and recitation, which he found difficult. Despite these challenges, Gandhi displayed an emerging curiosity about law, justice, and social ethics—interests that would later shape his career as a lawyer and social reformer.
At the age of 18, Gandhi married Kasturba Makhanji, a girl of the same age, in an arranged marriage customary at the time. Their marriage was characterized by mutual respect, though it began as a typical traditional union. Kasturba would later become Gandhi’s steadfast partner in his political campaigns, sharing in his struggles and sacrifices.
Encouraged by the belief that a legal education would elevate his social standing, Gandhi traveled to London in 1888 to study law at University College London. This journey marked his first major step away from India and toward broader global perspectives. Adjusting to Western society was difficult; Gandhi struggled with unfamiliar customs, dietary restrictions, and the challenge of practicing law in a foreign land. Yet, during this period, he was exposed to ideas of justice, equality, and personal discipline, which further influenced his evolving worldview.
Return to India and Early Legal Career
After completing his law degree in 1891, Gandhi returned to India, eager to establish a legal practice. However, he faced significant setbacks. Initially, he struggled to find clients in Bombay and Rajkot. Disheartened but determined, he accepted a modest offer to work in South Africa, a decision that would prove pivotal. In 1893, Gandhi embarked on a journey to South Africa to represent an Indian merchant in a legal dispute. This trip, originally meant to be temporary, would span over two decades and become the crucible for Gandhi’s social and political activism.
South Africa: Awakening of a Leader
Gandhi’s arrival in South Africa coincided with rising racial discrimination against the Indian diaspora. Indians faced laws restricting their movement, employment, and civil rights. Gandhi himself experienced discrimination firsthand, including an incident where he was thrown off a train for refusing to vacate a first-class compartment reserved for whites. This moment became transformative, igniting in him a resolve to fight injustice through organized, nonviolent resistance.
In South Africa, Gandhi founded the Natal Indian Congress in 1894, an organization aimed at uniting Indians against oppressive laws and advocating for civil rights. Here, he refined his philosophy of Satyagraha, or “truth-force,” emphasizing nonviolent protest and civil disobedience as tools to confront injustice. His methods included strikes, petitions, and mass mobilization, yet always with the principle of avoiding harm to others.
One landmark campaign was against the Transvaal government’s Asiatic Registration Act of 1906, which required Indians to carry identification certificates. Gandhi led mass protests, encouraging Indians to refuse registration, resulting in arrests and brutal police action. These struggles not only established Gandhi as a prominent leader but also revealed the practical power of disciplined, nonviolent resistance.
Return to India and Involvement in the National Movement
After 21 years in South Africa, Gandhi returned to India in 1915, greeted as a hero. By now, he had gained significant experience in political organization, negotiation, and social reform. India was under British colonial rule, and nationalist movements were gaining momentum. Gandhi’s return marked a new era in Indian politics, where mass mobilization and nonviolent resistance would become central strategies in the struggle for independence.
Initially, Gandhi traveled across India to understand the conditions of ordinary people. He witnessed widespread poverty, caste discrimination, and rural hardship. This period of observation strengthened his commitment to addressing social inequality alongside political oppression.
Champaran and Kheda: First Experiments in Nonviolent Resistance
Gandhi’s first major political campaigns in India were in Champaran (Bihar) in 1917 and Kheda (Gujarat) in 1918. In Champaran, he supported indigo farmers who were being exploited by British planters, often forced to grow indigo at unfair rates. Gandhi employed his signature approach: immersing himself among the farmers, investigating grievances firsthand, and organizing peaceful protests and negotiations. His efforts led to the alleviation of oppressive policies and established him as a moral and political leader in India.
In Kheda, peasants faced famine yet were still burdened with heavy taxes. Gandhi persuaded the government to suspend tax collection, demonstrating the effectiveness of nonviolent agitation combined with reasoned negotiation. These early campaigns set the stage for larger movements against British rule and illustrated Gandhi’s ability to merge moral authority with political strategy.
The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922)
Following World War I, discontent against British policies, particularly the Rowlatt Act, which allowed detention without trial, fueled nationalist sentiment. Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement, encouraging Indians to boycott British goods, schools, courts, and honors. Millions participated, marking the first large-scale, nationwide engagement in the freedom struggle under Gandhi’s leadership.
This movement, however, faced challenges. While Gandhi strictly advocated nonviolence, some protests turned violent, forcing him to call off the movement in 1922. Despite the setback, the campaign demonstrated Gandhi’s ability to inspire collective action and highlighted the moral dimension of Indian nationalism.
Salt March and Civil Disobedience (1930–1934)
One of Gandhi’s most iconic campaigns was the Salt March of 1930, a 240-mile journey to the Arabian Sea to produce salt in defiance of British monopolies. The march attracted global attention, symbolizing India’s struggle for self-rule and demonstrating the power of peaceful resistance. Gandhi’s emphasis on simple, relatable acts of defiance—like making salt—showed his unique ability to merge symbolic action with political protest.
Following the Salt March, the Civil Disobedience Movement spread across India, with Indians boycotting British goods, refusing taxes, and staging protests. Gandhi’s leadership during this period emphasized moral discipline, unity, and the importance of self-reliance. Even under repeated arrests, Gandhi maintained his commitment to nonviolence, inspiring millions to adopt peaceful resistance as a national strategy.
Focus on Social Reforms
Beyond political activism, Gandhi championed social reforms. He fought against the rigid caste system, advocating for the upliftment of the Harijans (Dalits), whom he referred to as “children of God.” He promoted women’s participation in the freedom struggle, education for all, and the revival of traditional crafts like spinning khadi, linking economic self-reliance with national pride. Gandhi’s vision extended beyond political independence, encompassing ethical and social transformation.
World War II and the Quit India Movement (1942–1945)
During World War II, Britain’s demand for Indian support without consultation sparked the Quit India Movement in 1942. Gandhi called for immediate British withdrawal and full Indian sovereignty. Mass protests erupted, and the British responded with arrests and repression. Gandhi himself was imprisoned, yet the movement galvanized public opinion, uniting Indians across regions, religions, and social classes in a shared demand for independence.
Independence and Partition (1947)
India achieved independence on 15th August 1947, but the joy was tempered by the tragic partition of the country into India and Pakistan. Gandhi opposed partition, advocating for Hindu-Muslim unity, but the scale of communal violence proved overwhelming. He traveled extensively to affected areas, fasting and praying for peace, embodying moral leadership even amid political failure. Gandhi’s final years were devoted to reconciliation, social healing, and promoting unity in a fractured nation.
Assassination and Legacy
On 30th January 1948, Gandhi was assassinated in New Delhi by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist opposed to Gandhi’s tolerance toward Muslims. His death shocked India and the world, yet his ideals of nonviolence, truth, and moral leadership continued to inspire generations.
Gandhi’s legacy is profound. He influenced global leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and Aung San Suu Kyi, demonstrating the universal relevance of nonviolent resistance. His life stands as a testament to the power of ethical action, perseverance, and the belief that individuals can transform societies without resorting to violence.
Conclusion
Mahatma Gandhi’s life was a journey of moral and political evolution, beginning as a shy, introspective boy and culminating as the leader of a nation. He demonstrated that courage, conviction, and compassion can drive monumental change. Beyond political independence, Gandhi’s vision encompassed social justice, equality, and ethical living, making him a timeless figure whose teachings continue to resonate worldwide.
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