Life and achievements
Early life
Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, a coastal town in the present-day Gujarat state of India. He was the last of the three children of Karamchand Gandhi, who was a prominent official in the local government, and his fourth wife Putlibai. Gandhi was a very religious person in his childhood due to his mother, and he learned the concept of duty from his Father. Gandhi, as a child, was very active and curious, often getting into mischief, but at the same time, he was very eager to learn and improve himself.
Gandhi got married to Kasturba at the age of thirteen in an arranged marriage, as was the norm in India at that time. The couple faced some problems in the beginning, but they grew closer, and Kasturba became a great comfort to Gandhi in his life. Gandhi lost his Father at the age of sixteen, which was a big blow to him. Despite having a challenging schooling experience, he managed to complete his schooling and proceeded to study law in London, where he would begin his journey toward activism.
In London, Gandhi was exposed to the civilization of the Western world. He had problems with isolation and missing his family, but he turned to the study of law and religion. He became a member of the Vegetarian Society, found people with whom he could discuss his ideas, and started to become interested in various philosophies of religion. These experiences opened his eyes to the world and strengthened his belief in non-violence and truth, which were to be the hallmarks of his future career.
Gandhi's stay in London was a time of change in his life. He also had a relatively frugal lifestyle and did not consume meat, alcohol, or any other vices. He was also interested in reading the writings of people like Leo Tolstoy and John Ruskin, as well as their ideologies on social justice and nonviolentnonviolent struggle. These factors, coupled with his growing spirituality, provided the background for his future activism.
Gandhi completed his studies and returned to India in 1891, but could not build a successful law practice. He was not conversant with the Indian laws and was a shy person, which hampered his chances of excelling in the court. In 1893, he got an opportunity to work as a legal advisor in South Africa, and this was a significant shift in his life. While in South Africa, Gandhi experienced racism, which exposed him to aspects of justice and equality.
Legacy
Mahatma Gandhi left a great legacy that is felt not only in India but throughout the world as well. He is famous as the "Father of the Nation" in India, and he played a significant role in the struggle for India's independence through non-violent means. Gandhi's concept of Satyagraha, which means the use of force of truth, has been a key motivation for civil rights and social justice campaigns worldwide.
Gandhi was a man of principles who believed in non-violence and the truth, which had a significant impact on India's fight for freedom. He organized masses of people ranging from farmers to scholars to engage in civil disobedience against British colonialism. He was a master at rallying people of different tribes, religions, and ethnicities to fight for freedom and justice. Gandhi used non-violent civil disobedience in his campaigns, such as the Salt March and the Quit India Movement, to fight against injustice.
Apart from his political accomplishments, Gandhi's social reforms have also influenced Indian society in the present time. He supported the untouchables and referred to them as Harijans or 'the children of God,' fighting for their rights and respect. He advocated for women's emancipation and enrolled them to fight for liberty. Gandhi's policy of self-reliance and village industries that he advocated for was the basis of rural development in India.
Gandhian influence was not confined to India only but was felt across the globe. His ideas of non-violence and non-cooperation with injustice influenced leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. in the United States, who used the same tactics in the Civil Rights Movement. Nelson Mandela also got his ideas from Gandhi in his struggle against the apartheid system in South Africa. Thus, the image of Gandhi as a nonviolentnonviolent fighter for justice has lived on, and many people around the world still follow his example.
The life of Gandhi and his message has been portrayed and documented in many books, movies, and academic papers. His autobiography, called "The Story of My Experiments with Truth," is one of the most significant books, revealing the ideas of the author and the stages of his life. Gandhi's statues and memorials can be seen in many countries, and the birth anniversary of Gandhi, which is on October 2, is observed as the International Day of Non-violence.
Nevertheless, Gandhi's figure and accomplishments are not without controversy and some sort of criticism. Some critics have said that his plans were too romantic and that he was not able to deal with the actual Indian society and politics to the fullest extent. Some focus on his conservative approach to some matters, for instance, his attitude toward industrialization and other forms of modernity. However, Gandhi's principles of non-violence, truth, and justice cannot be forgotten as his most significant contribution to humanity.
Milestone moments
Jun 19, 1893
Incident at Pietermaritzburg
Gandhi was once thrown out of a train at Pietermaritzburg in South Africa for not obeying the order to quit the first-class compartment even though he had a valid ticket.
This event can be considered the starting point of Gandhi's struggle against the discrimination of black people.
This experience transformed him, and he came up with the philosophy of Satyagraha, which is non-violence.
This was a pivotal moment that shifted Gandhi from being a lawyer to a defender of the rights of the people.
Jun 19, 1906
First Satyagraha Campaign
Gandhi launched his first Satyagraha in South Africa to fight against the Asiatic Registration Act, under which Indians were forced to carry identification passes.
This was the actual commencement of his policy of passive resistance, which he later applied in India.
The campaign mobilized the Indian people in South Africa and proved that peaceful resistance is an effective way of fighting for one's rights.
This way, Gandhi came into the limelight and became one of the leaders in the struggle for civil rights.
Mar 19, 1919
Rowlatt Act Protests
Gandhi organized the Indian nation to protest against the Rowlatt Act, which allowed people to be arrested without trial.
It was the first large-scale and India-wide Satyagraha movement that aimed at fighting against British rule.
Gandhi's appeal to non-cooperation was well received, and people followed it by going on strikes, coming out on the roads, and boycotting British goods.
The protest reached its peak and resulted in the notorious Jallianwala Bagh massacre, which made Gandhi more determined to attain freedom.
Mar 19, 1930
Salt March
Gandhi's Salt March was a 24-day, 240-mile protest against the British monopoly on salt; he began the march from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi on the Arabian Sea.
This nonviolent act of civil disobedience was a way of protesting against British colonialism and became a symbol of freedom.
This march prompted millions of Indians to participate in the freedom fight and exposed the British government's discriminatory approach.
The Salt March is one of the significant events in the Indian struggle for freedom from British rule.