Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, universally known as Mahatma Gandhi, remains an iconic figure in the annals of world history.
Born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, a coastal town in Gujarat, India, he grew up to become the embodiment of nonviolent resistance, leading India to independence from British rule.
His enduring philosophy of non-violence, truth, and civil disobedience has influenced countless freedom movements and leaders globally.
Gandhi’s early life was rather ordinary. Born into a merchant caste family, his father was the dewan (chief minister) of Porbandar, while his mother, a devout Jain, imparted a strong sense of ethics in him.
His marriage to Kasturba at the age of 13 was an arranged one, a common practice at the time.
Later, in 1888, Gandhi traveled to England to study law. This trip was transformative, exposing him to Western culture and ideas.
Upon completing his studies, Gandhi accepted a position in South Africa. This move proved pivotal in his evolution as a political activist. The racial discrimination he encountered there, including being thrown off a train for sitting in a “whites-only” compartment, ignited his sense of justice.
It was in South Africa that he began developing and practicing Satyagraha (truth-force) – a form of nonviolent resistance to injustice. Gandhi organized the Indian community against the racist policies of the colonial regime, remaining in South Africa for 21 years and emerging as a leader of national stature.
Returning to India in 1915, Gandhi joined the Indian National Congress, transforming it from an elitist debate club into a mass movement fighting British imperialism.
His methods of civil disobedience and non-cooperation drew masses. Among his notable movements were:
During these struggles, Gandhi was imprisoned multiple times. But his unwavering commitment to non-violence and truth made him a global icon.
He advocated self-sufficiency through the revival of cottage industries and championed the cause of the Harijans (children of God) – the term he coined for the “untouchables” of India to eradicate social discrimination.
Religious harmony was central to Gandhi’s vision of India. While a devout Hindu, he believed in the unity of all religions. He read the Bhagavad Gita, Bible, and Quran, emphasizing their shared teachings on love, morality, and justice. His idea of “Ram Rajya” (Kingdom of God) was an egalitarian society where people of all religions coexisted peacefully.
However, the intense religious polarization during the late 1940s deeply pained him. The partition of India in 1947 into two states – India and Pakistan – on religious lines led to immense violence and a massive humanitarian crisis. Gandhi went on hunger strikes, urging for peace and religious harmony. His efforts played a crucial role in quelling the riots in Bengal and Delhi.
Tragically, Gandhi’s call for Hindu-Muslim unity became a reason for his assassination. On January 30, 1948, as the 78-year-old Gandhi was heading for a prayer meeting in Delhi’s Birla House, Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist, fired three bullets into his frail body. Godse and his accomplices believed Gandhi was appeasing Muslims at the expense of Hindus.
The assassination left the world in shock. Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, famously said on radio, “The light has gone out of our lives…”. Over two million people joined the five-mile long funeral procession.
Gandhi’s principles of truth, non-violence, and justice weren’t just strategies for political change but a way of life. His teachings transcended borders, inspiring figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and many more in their respective struggles for justice and equality.
Despite criticism by some sections, Gandhi’s legacy endures. His idea of ‘be the change you wish to see in the world’ remains as relevant today as ever. The United Nations General Assembly declared Gandhi’s birthday, October 2, as the International Day of Non-Violence, a testament to his universal appeal.
In an age of increasing discord, Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of a world where disputes are resolved not by weapons but by dialogue and mutual respect holds the key to a harmonious coexistence.
In his life and death, Gandhi epitomized sacrifice and a relentless quest for truth. He remains, as Einstein once said, a figure that “generations to come… will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth.”
Mahatma Gandhi was a renowned Indian civil rights activist and undoubtedly India’s greatest leader of the 20th century. Born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Gandhi was best known for his non-violent approach...
