The Story of Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi Overview

  • Gandhi emphasized the existence of God in the hearts of millions and revered Truth as a divine principle, serving the public as a form of worship.

Background

  • Date of Birth: October 2, 1869 in Porbandar, India.

  • Parents: Karamchand Gandhi and Putlibai.

  • Heritage: Family known for integrity and service.

Nehru’s Perspective on Gandhi

  • Gandhi emerged as a voice for the oppressed, emphasizing fearlessness and truth.

  • He challenged the exploitation of the poor under British rule, aiming for political freedom rooted in the welfare of the masses.

Childhood Traits

  • Known as "Moniya," he evidently displayed compassion towards others, refusing to harm even in play.

  • Experiences with societal norms, including interaction with untouchables, displayed an early inclination against caste discrimination.

Early Education and Home Life

  • Attended school in Rajkot, shy and studious, preferring books.

  • Early marriage to Kasturbai at 13; they bonded but navigated cultural expectations around education and domestic life.

Journey to England

  • Graduated high school and attended Samaldas College but left after finding it unengaging.

  • Encouraged to study law in England, he vowed to abstain from meat, alcohol, and relationships with women.

Experience in England

  • Faced cultural challenges; adopted Western customs initially before reverting to a focus on studies and vegetarianism.

  • Joined the London Vegetarian Society and contributed articles; passed the bar exam in 1891.

Return to India

  • Came back to India to practice law after personal losses, especially the death of his mother.

  • Expressed discontent with the legal system's inequality, seeking alternative paths for justice.

South Africa Experience

  • Moved to South Africa for a legal career; faced racial discrimination firsthand.

  • Founded the Natal Indian Congress in response to injustices facing Indians in South Africa.

Introduction to Satyagraha

  • Advocated for passive resistance (Satyagraha) as a method of protest against discriminatory laws, emphasizing non-violence.

  • Initiated numerous campaigns, securing minor legal rights and fostering Indian unity against colonial authority.

Return to India and National Politics

  • Emerged as a pivotal figure in the Indian National Congress; aimed to unite diverse Indian groups in the struggle for independence.

  • Promoted the idea of self-sufficiency through spinning khadi (homespun cloth) and boycotting British goods.

Key Campaigns

  • Champaran and Kheda Satyagrahas advocated for farmers' rights and tax relief in response to colonial tax policies.

  • Launched a national movement against the Rowlett Act, accused of circumventing civil liberties.

Salt March

  • The Salt Satyagraha (1930) was a decisive act of defiance against British salt laws, symbolizing civil disobedience and mass mobilization.

  • Led a 240-mile march to Dandi, where he famously produced salt, inspiring a nationwide movement against the salt tax.

Partition and Final Days

  • Advocated for peace during the partition of India, stressing unity amidst communal violence.

  • Assassinated on January 30, 1948, by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist whose actions starkly opposed Gandhi's message of peace.