Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (ISO: Mōhanadāsa Karamacaṁda Gāṁdhī; 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial leader, and ethical political thinker who used nonviolent resistance to spearhead the successful struggle for India’s independence from British colonial rule. His influence extended globally, inspiring civil rights and freedom movements around the world. The title Mahātmā, meaning “great-souled” or “venerable,” was first bestowed upon him in South Africa in 1914 and is now recognized worldwide.
Born into a Hindu family along the coast of Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhi pursued legal studies at the Inner Temple in London, becoming a barrister in June 1891 at just 22. After struggling to establish a law practice in India for two uncertain years, he relocated to South Africa in 1893 to assist an Indian merchant in a legal case. He spent the next 21 years in South Africa, where he built a family and first implemented nonviolent resistance to advocate for civil rights. Returning to India in 1915 at the age of 45, he quickly began organizing peasants, farmers, and urban workers to protest against discrimination and oppressive land taxes.
Mahatma Gandhi, recognition as the Father of the Nation (topicsxpress.com)
In 1921, Mahatma Gandhi assumed leadership of the Indian National Congress and launched nationwide initiatives aimed at reducing poverty, enhancing women’s rights, fostering religious and ethnic harmony, abolishing untouchability, and ultimately achieving swaraj, or self-rule. He adopted the simple dhoti, handwoven from yarn, as a symbol of solidarity with India’s rural poor. Gandhi embraced a lifestyle of self-sufficiency, consumed simple meals, and engaged in prolonged fasts, using them for both personal reflection and political protest.
He rallied ordinary Indians against the British-imposed salt tax during the 1930 Dandi Salt March, covering a distance of 400 km (250 miles), and called for the British to withdraw from India in 1942. His activism led to multiple imprisonments, both in South Africa and India.
Mahatma Gandhi vision for an independent India founded on religious pluralism faced challenges in the early 1940s, as Muslim nationalism sought a separate nation for Muslims within British India. In August 1947, Britain granted independence, resulting in the partition of the British Indian Empire into two nations: a Hindu-majority India and a Muslim-majority Pakistan. The partition triggered mass migrations and widespread religious violence, particularly in Punjab and Bengal. Gandhi refrained from celebrating independence officially, instead visiting troubled regions to help those affected.
In the following months, he undertook several hunger strikes to quell the violence. The last strike began on 12 January 1948, when Gandhi was 78 years old. Some Hindus in India, believing Gandhi was too steadfast in his defense of Pakistan and its Muslim population, grew resentful. Among them was Nathuram Godse, a militant Hindu nationalist from Pune, who assassinated Gandhi during an interfaith prayer meeting in Delhi on 30 January 1948, firing three bullets into his chest.
Mahatma Gandhi birthday, 2 October, is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti in India, a national holiday, and is recognized globally as the International Day of Nonviolence. In post-colonial India, he is honored as the Father of the Nation, and during India’s nationalist movement and in the decades that followed, he was often affectionately referred to as Bapu, a Gujarati term meaning “father,” akin to “papa” or “daddy.”
Early Life and Background
Parents
Mahatma Gandhi father, Karamchand Uttamchand Gandhi (1822–1885), served as the chief minister (dewan) of Porbandar state. His family hailed from Kutiana, located in what was then Junagadh State. Although Karamchand had only minimal formal education and had worked as a clerk in the state administration, he proved to be a competent chief minister.
Throughout his life, Karamchand married four times. His first two wives passed away shortly after giving birth to daughters, and his third marriage was without children. In 1857, he received permission from his third wife to remarry and subsequently wed Putlibai (1844–1891), who was also from Junagadh and belonged to a Pranami Vaishnava family. Together, they had four children: Laxmidas (c. 1860–1914), Raliatbehn (1862–1960), Karsandas (c. 1866–1913), and the youngest, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who was born on 2 October 1869 in Porbandar (known as Sudamapuri), a coastal town in the Kathiawar Peninsula, part of the small princely state of Porbandar within the British Raj.
In 1874, Karamchand relocated his family from Porbandar to the smaller Rajkot state, where he became a counselor to its ruler, the Thakur Sahib. Although Rajkot was less prestigious than Porbandar, it housed the British regional political agency, providing a degree of security. By 1876, Karamchand was appointed diwan of Rajkot, while his brother Tulsidas took over his previous position in Porbandar. The family settled into their home, Kaba Gandhi No Delo, in Rajkot in 1881.
Childhood
As a child, Gandhi was described by his sister Raliat as “restless as mercury,” constantly engaged in play or exploration. One of his favorite activities involved teasing dogs by twisting their ears. The Indian classics, particularly the stories of Shravana and King Harishchandra, left a profound impact on him during his formative years. In his autobiography, Gandhi noted that these tales haunted him, inspiring him to embody the character of Harishchandra repeatedly. This early self-identification with truth and love as core values can be traced back to these legendary figures.
Mahatma Gandhi was born into a Gujarati Hindu Modh Bania family. His father, Karamchand, practiced Hinduism, while his mother, Putlibai, came from a Pranami Vaishnava lineage. Gandhi’s father belonged to the Modh Baniya caste, part of the Vaishya varna, while his mother was steeped in the Krishna bhakti tradition, with religious texts including the Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavata Purana. Gandhi was deeply influenced by his mother, a devout woman who wouldn’t eat without her daily prayers and observed rigorous vows, enduring multiple fasts without hesitation.
Education and Early Experiences
At the age of nine, Mahatma Gandhi began attending the local school in Rajkot, where he learned basic arithmetic, history, Gujarati, and geography. By eleven, he had moved on to Alfred High School in Rajkot. Although he was an average student who occasionally earned prizes, he was shy and often struggled to participate in games, preferring the company of books and his studies.
Marriage
In May 1883, the 13-year-old Mohandas Gandhi married 14-year-old Kasturbai Gokuldas Kapadia, affectionately known as “Ba.” This arranged marriage, common at the time, caused him to miss a year of school, but he later caught up through accelerated studies. The wedding was a joint ceremony, with his brother and cousin marrying on the same day. Reflecting on this event, Gandhi remarked that their understanding of marriage was limited to wearing new clothes, enjoying sweets, and playing with relatives. Traditionally, the young bride spent considerable time at her parents’ home, away from her husband.
Years later, Mahatma Gandhi expressed regret about the possessive feelings he harbored towards his young bride. He confessed that even during school, he often thought of her, and the anticipation of their evening meetings consumed him. He later admitted feelings of jealousy when Kasturba visited temples with her friends, coupled with his youthful lust.
In late 1885, tragedy struck when Mahatma Gandhi father, Karamchand, passed away. Gandhi had just left his father’s side to be with his wife moments before his father’s death. Reflecting on this painful moment decades later, he lamented, “If animal passion had not blinded me, I should have been spared the torture of separation from my father during his last moments.” Shortly after, at 16, he and his 17-year-old wife lost their first child, who lived only a few days, causing them both great sorrow. The couple would later have four more sons: Harilal (1888), Manilal (1892), Ramdas (1897), and Devdas (1900).
In November 1887, the 18-year-old Mahatma Gandhi graduated from high school in Ahmedabad. In January 1888, he enrolled at Samaldas College in Bhavnagar State, then the only institution in the region granting degrees. However, Gandhi ultimately dropped out and returned to his family in Porbandar.
Three Years in London
Pursuing Legal Studies
Mahatma Gandhi journey to England began after he dropped out of the most affordable college he could find in Bombay. Mavji Dave Joshiji, a family friend and Brahmin priest, advised Gandhi and his family that he should pursue law studies in London. In July 1888, Gandhi’s wife, Kasturbai, gave birth to their first surviving child, Harilal. However, Gandhi’s mother was apprehensive about him leaving his family and traveling so far from home. His uncle, Tulsidas, also tried to dissuade him, but Gandhi was determined. To ease his family’s worries, he vowed before his mother to abstain from meat, alcohol, and any romantic relationships. His brother Laxmidas, already a lawyer, supported Gandhi’s plans and offered to help him.
Arrival in London
On August 10, 1888, 18-year-old Gandhi departed from Porbandar for Mumbai, from where he would travel to London. A local newspaper reported that he was the first Bania from Kathiawar to pursue the Barrister Examination in England. Upon reaching London, he stayed with the local Modh Bania community, who cautioned him against compromising his beliefs and adopting Western habits. Despite their warnings and facing excommunication from his caste, Gandhi was undeterred. On September 4, he set sail from Bombay to London, with his brother by his side. He enrolled at University College London to study English literature under Henry Morley and also joined the Inns of Court School of Law, aiming to become a barrister.
Overcoming Shyness
Mahatma Gandhi arrived in London with his childhood shyness and introversion intact. However, he joined a public speaking practice group, which helped him overcome his shyness and gain confidence in law. He took a particular interest in the welfare of impoverished dockland communities during his time in London. In 1889, amidst a fierce trade dispute where dockers and other workers were striking for better pay and conditions, Gandhi participated in efforts to support the strikers and even visited Cardinal Manning to thank him for his mediation.
Embracing Vegetarianism and Activism
Mahatma Gandhi vow to his mother significantly impacted his time in London. He initially attempted to adopt English customs, even taking dancing lessons, but found the bland vegetarian meals offered by his landlady unsatisfactory. Often hungry, he eventually discovered one of London’s few vegetarian restaurants. Influenced by Henry Salt’s writings, Gandhi became active in the London Vegetarian Society, eventually being elected to its executive committee. One of his notable accomplishments during this period was establishing a Bayswater chapter of the society. He connected with members of the Theosophical Society, who encouraged him to read the Bhagavad Gita in both translation and the original language.
Challenging Authority
Mahatma Gandhi developed a productive relationship with Arnold Hills, the society’s president, but they had differing opinions regarding the continued membership of committee member Thomas Allinson, who was advocating for birth control methods. While Gandhi agreed with Hills that birth control could be problematic, he defended Allinson’s right to his views. Although Hills was a highly influential figure and a successful businessman, Mahatma Gandhi expressed his thoughts in writing when he couldn’t voice them in person due to shyness. Despite some support for his arguments, the motion to exclude Allinson passed.
Called to the Bar
At 22, Mahatma Gandhi was called to the bar in June 1891. Upon returning to India, he was devastated to learn that his mother had passed away while he was abroad, news that his family had withheld from him. His attempts to establish a law practice in Bombay were unsuccessful, largely due to his discomfort with cross-examining witnesses. Consequently, he returned to Rajkot to earn a modest living by drafting petitions. However, he faced difficulties, particularly with a British officer named Sam Sunny.
In 1893, a Muslim merchant named Dada Abdullah, who owned a successful shipping business in South Africa, reached out to Gandhi. Abdullah’s distant cousin in Johannesburg needed legal assistance and preferred someone of Kathiawari heritage. After discussing compensation, Gandhi accepted a salary of £105 (equivalent to about $4,143 today) along with travel expenses, knowing he was committing to at least a year in the British Colony of Natal, South Africa.
Civil Rights Activist in South Africa (1893–1914)
Arrival in South Africa
In April 1893, 23-year-old Gandhi set sail for South Africa to serve as a lawyer for Abdullah’s cousin. He would spend 21 years in South Africa, a period during which he developed his political views, ethics, and a deep commitment to social justice. Mahatma Gandhi made a brief return to India in 1902 to rally support for the welfare of Indians living in South Africa.
Facing Discrimination
Upon his arrival in South Africa, Mahatma Gandhi quickly encountered harsh discrimination based on his skin color and heritage. He was not permitted to sit with European passengers in a stagecoach and was forced to sit on the floor. When he refused, he was beaten. In another instance, he was kicked into a gutter for daring to walk near a house and was ultimately thrown off a train at Pietermaritzburg for refusing to vacate a first-class seat. That night, shivering at the train station, Gandhi contemplated whether to return to India or to protest for his rights. Ultimately, he chose to protest and was allowed to board the train the next day.
Early Activism
Mahatma Gandhi experiences in South Africa left a lasting impression on him. Initially, he viewed himself as “a Briton first, and an Indian second.” However, witnessing the prejudice against Indians and the dehumanizing treatment they received from the British profoundly disturbed him. He found it humiliating and began to question the standing of Indians within the British Empire.
The Abdullah case that brought him to South Africa concluded in May 1894, and as Gandhi prepared to return to India, a new discriminatory proposal from the Natal government prompted him to stay longer. He decided to assist Indians in opposing a bill that would deny them the right to vote, a right the government proposed to reserve solely for Europeans. Although unable to prevent the bill’s passage, Gandhi’s campaign successfully highlighted the grievances of Indians in South Africa.
Founding the Natal Indian Congress
In 1894, Gandhi co-founded the Natal Indian Congress, which aimed to unify the Indian community in South Africa into a cohesive political force. In January 1897, upon his return to Durban, Gandhi faced a violent mob of white settlers. Thanks to the intervention of the police superintendent’s wife, he managed to escape but chose not to press charges against the mob.
The Boer War and Volunteerism
During the Boer War in 1900, Mahatma Gandhi took a significant step by volunteering to form a stretcher-bearer unit called the Natal Indian Ambulance Corps. He wanted to challenge the colonial stereotype that Hindus were unfit for “manly” activities. Mahatma Gandhi successfully recruited 1,100 Indian volunteers, who served as auxiliaries to British combat troops. They faced challenging conditions, carrying wounded soldiers for miles to field hospitals, and Mahatma Gandhi, along with 37 others, received the Queen’s South Africa Medal for their service.
Adopting Satyagraha
In 1906, the Transvaal government enacted a new law requiring the registration of the Indian and Chinese populations. Gandhi organized a mass protest in Johannesburg on September 11, where he first publicly adopted his evolving method of Satyagraha—a form of nonviolent resistance rooted in the pursuit of truth. Influenced by various philosophical texts, including the Tamil moral text Tirukkuṛaḷ, Gandhi encouraged Indians to defy the unjust law and accept the consequences of their actions.
Shift in Focus
Initially focused on the rights of Indians, Mahatma Gandhi perspective began to expand to include the struggles of Africans. However, this transition was complex. During a speech in September 1896, he lamented that whites in South Africa were “degrading the Indian to the level of a raw Kaffir,” suggesting a distinction between the two groups that reflected contemporary racial hierarchies. As time went on, Gandhi and his colleagues began to engage with African communities, aiding them in their fight against discrimination.
The Bambatha Rebellion
When the Bambatha Rebellion erupted in Natal in 1906, Mahatma Gandhi, despite sympathizing with the Zulu rebels, encouraged Indian South Africans to volunteer as stretcher-bearers. He argued that military service would benefit the Indian community, leading to the formation of a mixed unit of Indian and African stretcher-bearers to provide care for the wounded during the rebellion’s suppression.
Disillusionment with Colonialism
After the rebellion was suppressed, the colonial government showed little interest in extending civil rights to the Indian community. This realization led to Gandhi’s disillusionment with the British Empire, marking a significant turning point in his activism. By 1910, Gandhi’s newspaper, Indian Opinion, began reporting on the discrimination faced by Africans, acknowledging them as the original inhabitants of the land.
Establishing Tolstoy Farm
In 1910, Mahatma Gandhi, with the help of his friend Hermann Kallenbach, established an idealistic community known as Tolstoy Farm near Johannesburg. This community served as a space for Gandhi to further develop his principles of peaceful resistance.
Legacy in South Africa
After black South Africans gained the right to vote in 1994, Gandhi was celebrated as a national hero, with numerous monuments erected in his honor. His experiences in South Africa laid the foundation for his future work in India and solidified his legacy as a champion of civil rights.
Struggle for Indian Independence (1915–1947)
Gandhi’s Return to India
In 1915, at the behest of Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Gandhi returned to India after establishing himself as a prominent nationalist and community organizer abroad. He joined the Indian National Congress, where Gokhale introduced him to the complexities of Indian politics and the plight of its people. Gokhale’s approach was characterized by moderation and a commitment to working within the system, which Gandhi adapted to reflect Indian traditions.
Leadership and the Quest for Independence
By 1920, Mahatma Gandhi had taken the helm of the Congress, ramping up demands for Indian self-rule. A pivotal moment occurred on January 26, 1930, when the Congress declared India’s independence. Although the British government did not recognize this declaration, it initiated negotiations, and the Congress gained a foothold in provincial governance during the late 1930s. However, tensions flared when the Viceroy unilaterally declared war on Germany in 1939, leading to a withdrawal of support from Gandhi and the Congress.
By 1942, Mahatma Gandhi call for immediate independence culminated in mass arrests of Congress leaders, including himself, as the British sought to quell the escalating demands. Meanwhile, the Muslim League, in contrast to Gandhi’s vision, pursued the establishment of a separate Muslim state, ultimately resulting in the partition of India in August 1947—a decision Gandhi vehemently opposed.
Role in World War I
During World War I, Mahatma Gandhi was invited to a War Conference in Delhi in April 1918, where he agreed to support the war effort. This marked a departure from his previous stance, as he sought to enlist Indians for military service. He asserted in a leaflet titled “Appeal for Enlistment” that self-defense was essential, emphasizing the need for Indians to learn the use of arms. However, he maintained that he would never personally harm anyone.
Mahatma Gandhi support for the war raised questions about his commitment to nonviolence. Critics noted a perceived inconsistency between his advocacy for “ahimsa” (nonviolence) and his recruitment efforts. Mahatma Gandhi believed that genuine nonviolence could not coexist with cowardice, prompting his call for Indians to be prepared to defend themselves before embracing a nonviolent stance. Ultimately, he struggled to enlist anyone, lamenting that fear of death deterred potential recruits.
Champaran Agitation
Mahatma Gandhi first significant achievement came in 1917 with the Champaran agitation in Bihar. Local peasants, oppressed by Anglo-Indian plantation owners, sought Mahatma Gandhi assistance after being coerced to grow indigo—a cash crop facing declining demand. Gandhi employed nonviolent protest strategies, surprising the authorities and securing concessions for the distressed farmers.
Kheda Agitation
In 1918, following devastating floods and famine, the Kheda district’s peasantry demanded tax relief. Mahatma Gandhi mobilized support from local volunteers, most notably Vallabhbhai Patel, and initiated a campaign of non-payment of revenue taxes. This effort included social boycotts of local revenue officials. After five months of struggle, the government eventually suspended tax collection and released prisoners, marking a victory for the farmers.
Khilafat Movement
In 1919, Mahatma Gandhi sought Muslim support against British rule by backing the Khilafat movement, which aimed to protect the Ottoman Caliphate after World War I. This initiative aimed to unify Hindus and Muslims in the fight for self-rule, but it met with mixed responses. While it initially garnered Muslim support for Gandhi, it also faced opposition from some Hindu leaders who were hesitant to align with Islamic interests.
Mahatma Gandhi endorsement of the Khilafat movement fostered intercommunal harmony and temporarily diminished Hindu-Muslim tensions. However, as the movement progressed and culminated in the arrest of Mahatma Gandhi in 1922, support waned. This collapse of the Khilafat movement led to renewed communal violence, illustrating the fragility of Hindu-Muslim unity in the face of political strife.
Non-Cooperation Movement
In his book Hind Swaraj (1909), Mahatma Gandhi, then 40, emphasized that British rule in India only existed because of Indian cooperation. He believed if Indians withdrew this cooperation, British authority would collapse, leading to India’s independence, or swaraj. In 1921, Gandhi symbolically adopted the loincloth to identify with India’s impoverished masses.
In February 1919, Gandhi warned the Viceroy of India that he would initiate civil disobedience if the Rowlatt Act passed. The British government ignored him, and the law was enacted. As a result, Gandhi launched the Satyagraha movement, encouraging peaceful protests. On March 30, 1919, British officers fired on peaceful demonstrators in Delhi. This tragic event led to riots, but Gandhi urged Indians to remain peaceful, asking them to boycott British goods without resorting to violence.
On April 13, 1919, the notorious Jallianwala Bagh massacre occurred. British officer Reginald Dyer ordered troops to fire on unarmed civilians, including women and children, in Amritsar. While this heinous act enraged the nation, Gandhi refrained from blaming the British, instead criticizing Indians for responding with violence. He fasted to encourage non-violent protests, even as Indians were deeply hurt and angry.
This turning point made Mahatma Gandhi realize that Indians would never get equal treatment under British rule. He shifted his focus entirely to achieving swaraj and became the leader of the Indian National Congress in 1921. His leadership restructured the party, and his support for the Khilafat movement won him the backing of Indian Muslims. Gandhi’s emphasis on wearing khadi (homespun cloth) and boycotting British goods became central to his non-cooperation strategy. He urged Indians to spin their own cloth and boycott British institutions, including law courts and government jobs, aiming to economically and politically weaken British rule in India.
The movement drew participation from all sections of Indian society. However, Mahatma Gandhi arrest in March 1922 led to a split in the Indian National Congress. Moreover, the Khilafat movement collapsed with the rise of Atatürk in Turkey, and Muslim leaders left Congress, weakening the unity Gandhi had worked to build. After serving two years in prison, Gandhi was released in 1924 for health reasons.
Salt Satyagraha (Salt March)
Following his release from prison, Mahatma Gandhi continued advocating for Indian independence. At the Congress session in December 1928, he called for India to be granted dominion status within a year, or he would launch another non-cooperation movement. Despite his peaceful approach, many questioned his methods, especially after his failed support for World War I and the decline of Muslim backing.
By 1930, Gandhi had had enough of British exploitation. He wrote a powerful letter to Lord Irwin, the Viceroy, condemning British rule as a “curse” that had impoverished millions. The British government’s salt tax was the breaking point. Gandhi decided to defy this tax through non-violent protest. On March 12, 1930, he began the historic Salt March, leading 78 volunteers on a 240-mile journey from Ahmedabad to Dandi. Their goal: to make salt, breaking the British monopoly.
This simple act became a symbol of resistance, and thousands joined Gandhi on the march. Women played a significant role in the protests, despite Gandhi’s initial hesitation to include them. Indian women defied social norms, risking violence and arrest for the cause. On May 5, 1930, Gandhi was arrested, but the movement continued. At Dharasana Salt Works, British authorities brutally attacked unarmed protesters, an event witnessed and reported by American journalist Webb Miller. His account of the violence shocked the world.
The Salt March was one of Gandhi’s most effective campaigns, leading to the imprisonment of over 60,000 Indians. Despite British efforts to suppress the movement, it marked a major step toward India’s independence.
Round Table Conferences
In the early 1930s, Mahatma Mahatma Gandhi, now around 62, engaged in discussions with the British government at the Round Table Conferences. His primary aim was to advocate for constitutional reforms that would pave the way for the end of British colonial rule in India and initiate self-governance. However, the British representatives focused on maintaining colonial control, proposing a model that established separate electorates based on religious and social divisions. They questioned Gandhi’s authority to represent all of India and invited religious leaders, including Muslims, Sikhs, and B.R. Ambedkar, to express their demands, thereby deepening communal divisions.
Mahatma Gandhi strongly opposed any constitutional framework that institutionalized communal representation, fearing it would further divide the nation and distract from the collective struggle for independence.
During the Second Round Table Conference, Gandhi made a notable choice to stay in the East End of London, preferring to connect with working-class individuals rather than reside in luxury. He occupied a modest room at Kingsley Hall for the duration of his stay, where he also rekindled his involvement with the British vegetarian movement.
After returning to India, Mahatma Gandhi launched another satyagraha campaign but was quickly arrested and imprisoned at Yerwada Jail in Pune. While in prison, the British government introduced the Communal Award, granting separate electorates to untouchables, which led Mahatma Gandhi to undertake a fast-unto-death in protest. The ensuing public outcry prompted negotiations with Ambedkar, resulting in the Poona Pact, which sought to address some of the concerns raised.
Congress Politics
In 1934, Gandhi made the significant decision to resign from the Congress party. He believed that stepping back would allow the diverse voices within the party—ranging from communists and socialists to trade unionists and religious conservatives—to be heard without being overshadowed by his popularity. He also wanted to avoid being a target of British propaganda, especially since the party had made temporary accommodations with the British government.
Gandhi returned to active politics in 1936 during the Lucknow session of Congress, where Jawaharlal Nehru was elected president. Although he wished to focus on independence, he did not prevent Congress from adopting socialism as a goal. Tensions arose between Gandhi and Subhas Chandra Bose, who was elected president in 1938 but expressed skepticism about nonviolence as a means of protest. Despite Gandhi’s opposition, Bose won a second term against Mahatma Gandhi candidate, Bhogaraju Pattabhi Sitaramayya. The defeat was a personal blow for Mahatma Gandhi, who saw it as a reflection of his own failure. Bose later resigned from Congress amid disagreements with the leadership.
World War II and the Quit India Movement
As World War II unfolded, Gandhi opposed any support for the British war effort, insisting that India should not participate in a conflict fought for democratic freedom while being denied its own. This stance led to the arrest of Gandhi and other Congress leaders, along with violent clashes between nationalists and British forces. Although some Indian leaders supported the war effort, Gandhi’s movement weakened British control over the region and laid the groundwork for Indian independence.
In August 1942, during a speech in Mumbai, Gandhi intensified his demands for independence, urging the British to “Quit India.” This was the most definitive call for revolt against British rule. The British swiftly responded by arresting Gandhi and members of the Congress Working Committee, igniting widespread protests. In a fervent appeal, Gandhi urged Indians to refrain from violence against British citizens, advocating for a nonviolent struggle where they should be prepared to suffer rather than retaliate. His rallying cry of “karo ya maro” (“do or die”) became emblematic of the movement.
Mahatma Gandhi imprisonment lasted two years, during which he endured significant personal losses, including the deaths of his wife Kasturba and his secretary Mahadev Desai. Despite the challenging conditions, Mahatma Gandhi resolve remained strong. He was released in May 1944 due to deteriorating health.
Upon his release, the political landscape had changed significantly, with the Muslim League gaining prominence under Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s leadership, who pushed for a separate Muslim state, Pakistan. Gandhi and Jinnah engaged in discussions over India’s future, but Jinnah’s insistence on partition along religious lines created further divisions.
Partition and Independence
Mahatma Gandhi vehemently opposed the partition of India. While the Congress party and Gandhi called for a united India, the Muslim League demanded “Divide and Quit India.” Gandhi proposed a cooperative agreement that would involve both parties forming a provisional government, resolving the question of partition through a plebiscite in Muslim-majority regions.
Jinnah dismissed Gandhi’s proposal, leading to Direct Action Day on August 16, 1946, which incited violence against Hindus in Calcutta and triggered retaliatory violence across the country. Gandhi intervened in riot-affected areas, urging peace and reconciliation amidst the chaos.
As the political negotiations progressed, the British reluctantly agreed to grant independence while accepting Jinnah’s call for partition. Although Gandhi participated in the final negotiations, he disapproved of the partition plan, which led to widespread communal violence, resulting in over half a million deaths and the displacement of millions.
On August 15, 1947, the day of independence, Gandhi did not celebrate but instead fasted and spun khadi in Calcutta, focusing on promoting peace among communities torn apart by religious violence. His efforts to quell the riots are credited with saving countless lives amid the tumultuous transition to independence.
Death of Mahatma Gandhi
At 5:17 PM on January 30, 1948, Mahatma Gandhi was in the garden of Birla House (now known as Gandhi Smriti), preparing to address a prayer meeting with his grandnieces, when Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist, approached him and shot him three times at close range. Various accounts state that Gandhi either died instantly or was carried inside where he succumbed to his injuries about 30 minutes later, surrounded by family members who read verses from Hindu scriptures.
Following the assassination, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru addressed the nation via All-India Radio, expressing profound grief over the loss of their beloved leader, referring to him as “Bapu” or “father of the nation.” Nehru stated, “The light has gone out of our lives, and there is darkness everywhere,” emphasizing the national mourning for Gandhi’s passing.
The Assassination and Trial
Godse, affiliated with the Hindu Mahasabha and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, did not flee the scene. Multiple conspirators were arrested, including Narayan Apte, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, and others. The trial began on May 27, 1948, lasting eight months. The prosecution presented 149 witnesses, while the defense called none. Most defendants were found guilty, with Godse and Apte receiving the death sentence, while others received life imprisonment. Savarkar was acquitted.
Funeral and Memorials
Mahatma Gandhi funeral was a massive event, attended by millions across India. The procession from Birla House to Raj Ghat lasted over five hours, with his body displayed on a weapon carrier, pulled by crowds. His cremation, attended by prominent leaders, followed Hindu customs, and his ashes were distributed across various locations in India and abroad, including Allahabad and the Nile River in Uganda. The site of his assassination became Gandhi Smriti, and the cremation site at Raj Ghat features a memorial marked by the words “Hē Rāma,” believed to be Gandhi’s last words.
Principles, Practices, and Beliefs
Mahatma Gandhi philosophy was rooted in Jainism and Hindu Yoga, emphasizing the five vows of Satya (truth), ahimsa (nonviolence), brahmacharya (celibacy), asteya (non-stealing), and aparigraha (non-attachment). He championed Satyagraha, which means “truth force,” as a method for political and social change through nonviolent resistance.
Legacy
Mahatma Mahatma Gandhi is celebrated as a pivotal figure in India’s struggle for independence, influencing global civil rights movements. The title Mahatma, meaning “Great Soul,” was conferred upon him, and his teachings continue to inspire activists worldwide. His legacy is commemorated through numerous streets and institutions named in his honor, and his life is often cited as a beacon of nonviolent resistance. In various polls and surveys, Gandhi has been recognized as one of the greatest figures of the 20th century and a symbol of peace and nonviolence.
Gandhi’s Influence on Global Leaders
In his early years, Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa, embraced the nonviolent resistance philosophy of Gandhi. Scholars Bhana and Vahed noted that “Gandhi inspired succeeding generations of South African activists seeking to end White rule.” They further remarked that Mandela, in a way, completed the mission Gandhi had begun.
Statue of Gandhi in Madrid, Spain
A Legacy of Inspiration
Gandhi’s life and teachings have profoundly inspired numerous individuals who regarded him as a mentor. In Europe, Romain Rolland was among the first to recognize Gandhi in his 1924 book, Mahatma Gandhi. Similarly, Brazilian anarchist and feminist Maria Lacerda de Moura contributed to the discussion of Gandhi in her writings on pacifism. Notably, in 1931, physicist Albert Einstein corresponded with Gandhi, referring to him as “a role model for the generations to come.” Einstein praised Gandhi, stating:
“Mahatma Gandhi’s life achievement stands unique in political history. He has invented a completely new and humane means for the liberation war of an oppressed country, and practiced it with greatest energy and devotion. The moral influence he had on the consciously thinking human being of the entire civilized world will probably be much more lasting than it seems in our time, with its overestimation of brutal violent forces. Lasting will only be the work of such statesmen who awaken and strengthen the moral power of their people through their example and educational efforts.”
Global Nonviolence Advocates
In 1930, Farah Omar, a political activist from Somaliland, visited India and was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi nonviolent philosophy, which he integrated into his campaign in British Somaliland. In 1936, Lanza del Vasto traveled to India with the intention of living with Gandhi and later returned to Europe to promote his philosophy, founding the Community of the Ark in 1948, modeled after Mahatma Gandhi ashrams. Madeleine Slade, known as “Mirabehn,” dedicated much of her life to Gandhi’s teachings after moving to India.
Mahatma Gandhi influence extended to popular culture as well. British musician John Lennon referenced Gandhi while discussing his views on nonviolence. In 2007, former US Vice-President Al Gore highlighted Gandhi’s concept of satyagraha during a speech on climate change. Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, expressed that Gandhi was his greatest inspiration, particularly noting his impact on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the world at large.
Children of Gandhi
Time magazine recognized figures such as The 14th Dalai Lama, Lech Wałęsa, Martin Luther King Jr., Cesar Chavez, Aung San Suu Kyi, Benigno Aquino Jr., Desmond Tutu, and Nelson Mandela as “Children of Mahatma Gandhi ” and his spiritual successors in the realm of nonviolence. An ethnic Indian enclave in Houston, Texas, named the Mahatma Gandhi District, stands as a testament to his enduring legacy.
Philosophical Impact
Mahatma Gandhi ideas significantly shaped 20th-century philosophy. His interactions with thinkers like Romain Rolland and Martin Buber laid the groundwork for further philosophical exploration. Contemporary philosophers, including Hannah Arendt, Etienne Balibar, and Slavoj Žižek, recognize Gandhi as essential for discussions surrounding morality in politics. American political scientist Gene Sharp examined Gandhi’s significance in creating nonviolent social change in his work Gandhi as a Political Strategist. Recently, Gandhi’s perspectives on technology have gained traction in discussions on environmental philosophy and the philosophy of technology, particularly in the context of climate change.
Celebrating Gandhi Globally
The global recognition of Gandhi’s contributions is reflected in significant observances. In 2007, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed October 2nd as the “International Day of Nonviolence.” Initially proposed by UNESCO in 1948, January 30th is celebrated as the School Day of Nonviolence and Peace (DENIP) in many countries, while those with a Southern Hemisphere school calendar observe it on March 30th.
The Gandhi Mandapam, a temple located in Kanyakumari, was built to honor Gandhi.
| Awards and Recognitions | Details |
|---|---|
| Man of the Year (Time Magazine) | Named Gandhi the Man of the Year in 1930. |
| Most Important People of the Century (Time Magazine) | In 1999, Gandhi was ranked second only to Albert Einstein, who referred to him as “the greatest man of our age.” |
| LL.D. Award | The University of Nagpur awarded Gandhi an LL.D. in 1937. |
| Gandhi Peace Prize | Established by the Government of India, this annual award honors distinguished social workers, world leaders, and citizens. Notably, Nelson Mandela, a key figure in the struggle against racial discrimination and segregation in South Africa, was a prominent non-Indian recipient. |
| World Peace Prize | Posthumously awarded to Gandhi in 2003. |
| Order of the Companions of O. R. Tambo | Posthumously awarded in 2005. |
| Top Political Icons (TIME) | In 2011, Gandhi topped TIME’s list of the top 25 political icons of all time. |
| Nobel Peace Prize Nominations | Gandhi was nominated five times between 1937 and 1948, including the first-ever nomination by the American Friends Service Committee. He made the shortlist only twice, in 1937 and 1947. The Nobel Committee later expressed regret for the omission, stating that nationalistic divisions influenced their decision. |
| 1948 Nomination | Nominated in 1948 but was assassinated before nominations closed. The committee chose not to award the peace prize that year, stating there was “no suitable living candidate.” Research later suggested this referred to Gandhi. |
| Nobel Committee’s Regret | Geir Lundestad, Secretary of the Norwegian Nobel Committee in 2006, stated, “The greatest omission in our 106-year history is undoubtedly that Mahatma Gandhi never received the Nobel Peace Prize. Gandhi could do without the Nobel Peace Prize; whether the Nobel Committee can do without Gandhi is the question.” |
| Tribute to Gandhi | When the 14th Dalai Lama received the Nobel Prize in 1989, the chairman of the committee noted it was “in part a tribute to the memory of Mahatma Gandhi.” |
| Vegetarian Hall of Fame | Inducted posthumously into the North American Vegetarian Society’s Vegetarian Hall of Fame in the summer of 1995. |
| Category | Details |
|---|
| Title: Father of the Nation | Indians widely describe Gandhi as the Father of the Nation. The title originated from a radio address by Subhash Chandra Bose on 6 July 1944, where he referred to Gandhi as “The Father of the Nation.” Sarojini Naidu also used this title on 28 April 1947 during a conference. He is affectionately called “Bapu,” meaning father in Gujarati. |
| Film, Theatre, and Literature | A five-hour documentary film, Mahatma: Life of Gandhi, 1869–1948, was made by Vithalbhai Jhaveri in 1968, using archival footage. Ben Kingsley portrayed Gandhi in Richard Attenborough’s 1982 film Gandhi, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. The 1996 film The Making of the Mahatma focused on Gandhi’s transformation in South Africa. |
| Cultural References | Gandhi was a central figure in the 2006 comedy film Lage Raho Munna Bhai. Jahnu Barua’s film Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara uses Gandhi’s values to reflect contemporary society. The 1979 opera Satyagraha by Philip Glass is loosely based on Gandhi’s life, while the Marathi play Gandhi Virudh Gandhi explores his relationship with his son Harilal. |
| Biographies | Notable biographers include D. G. Tendulkar (Mahatma: Life of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi), Chaman Nahal (Gandhi Quartet), and Joseph Lelyveld (Great Soul: Mahatma Gandhi and His Struggle With India). The latter contained controversial speculations about Gandhi’s personal life. |
| Musical References | “Mahatma Gandhi” is referenced in Cole Porter’s song “You’re the Top” from the 1934 musical Anything Goes and mentioned in Kris Kristofferson’s song “They Killed Him.” |
| Current Impact within India | The Gandhi Mandapam temple in Kanyakumari honors Gandhi. Despite India’s rapid economic modernization leading to a rejection of Gandhi’s economic views, his political legacy remains influential. Gandhi’s birthday, 2 October, is a national holiday (Gandhi Jayanti), and his image appears on most Indian currency notes. His death on 30 January is commemorated as Martyrs’ Day. |
| Temples Dedicated to Gandhi | Three temples are dedicated to Gandhi: one in Sambalpur, Odisha; one in Nidaghatta village, Karnataka; and one in Chityal, Telangana. The Gandhi Memorial in Kanyakumari resembles central Indian Hindu temples, and the Tamukkam in Madurai now houses the Mahatma Gandhi Museum. |
Descendants of Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi legacy continues through his children and grandchildren, many of whom live in India and across the globe. His grandson, Rajmohan Gandhi, has made significant contributions as a professor in Illinois and is the author of the biography Mohandas, which delves into Mahatma Gandhi life and philosophies. Another grandson, Tarun Gandhi, has also written extensively, producing several authoritative works that reflect on his grandfather’s impact.
Additionally, Kanu Ramdas Gandhi, the son of Gandhi’s third son, Ramdas, has an intriguing story. Despite once teaching in the United States, he was discovered living in an old age home in Delhi, highlighting the varied paths Gandhi’s descendants have taken.
