Mahatma gandhi biography in english: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, known to the world as Mahat ma Gan dhi, was a towering figure of the 20th century. He wasn’t a soldier or a politician in the traditional sense, but a revolutionary leader who wielded the powerful weapon of nonviolent resistance to achieve Indian independence from British rule. His philosophy of Satyagraha, meaning “truth force,” inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the globe.
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Early Life and Influences (1869–1893)
Born on October 2, 1869, in Por bandar, a coastal town in western India, Gandhi was raised in a Hindu family steeped in the principles of tolerance and nonviolence. His mother, Putli bai, instilled in him a deep respect for all religions, while his Jain community emphasized ahimsa, the concept of harming no living being. These early influences would become the cornerstones of his philosophy.
Gandhi’s academic pursuits took him to England in 1888, where he studied law at the Inner Temple in London. While there, he encountered Western thought and culture, but his core values remained rooted in his Indian heritage. Returning to India in 1891, he faced difficulties establishing a legal career.
The Crucible of South Africa (1893–1915)
In 1893, a life-altering opportunity took Gandhi to South Africa, where he encountered firsthand the harsh realities of racial discrimination faced by the Indian community. An incident where he was thrown off a train for being Indian sparked a fire within him.
This was the birthplace of Satyagraha. Gandhi organized protests and boycotts against discriminatory laws, urging Indians to resist with courage and dignity but without violence. He formed the Natal Indian Congress, a political organization that fought for Indian rights. Through his leadership, Gandhi honed his skills in nonviolent resistance, leading successful campaigns against poll taxes and discriminatory registration laws.
Years of struggle in South Africa also brought Gandhi face-to-face with the plight of the working class. He established self-sufficient communities based on manual labor and self-reliance, principles he would later carry back to India. His wife, Kasturba, became a pillar of support, actively participating in his campaigns and movements.
The Return to India and the Rise of a National Leader (1915–1922)
By 1915, Gandhi, now a seasoned leader and strategist, had returned to India. The country was simmering with discontent against British rule. Gandhi quickly emerged as a prominent voice, advocating for Swaraj, or self-rule. He adopted simple clothing, a spinning wheel, and a vegetarian diet, symbolizing his identification with the common people and his commitment to self-sufficiency.
In 1919, the Row latt Act, granting the British government broad emergency powers, sparked outrage. Gandhi led a nationwide campaign of non-cooperation, urging Indians to boycott British goods, educational institutions, and courts. This culminated in the non-violent protests of 1920, marked by the tragedy of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar. Despite the violence unleashed by the British, Gandhi called off the campaign, highlighting the need for discipline and nonviolence.
The Salt Satyagraha and Civil Disobedience (1922–1931)
Undeterred by the setback, Gandhi meticulously planned his next act of defiance. In 1930, he led the famous Salt March, a 240-mile walk to the sea to make salt, defying the British monopoly on salt production. Images of Gandhi and thousands of Indians peacefully defying the law resonated across the world. The Salt March marked a turning point in the freedom struggle, galvanizing public support and highlighting the injustice of British rule.
The following years saw Gandhi lead further campaigns of civil disobedience, including boycotts of foreign clothing and the non-payment of taxes. He was repeatedly arrested by the British authorities, but his imprisonment only served to further elevate his stature as a symbol of resistance.
Beyond Politics: Championing Social Reform (1920–1947)
Gandhi’s vision for India extended beyond political independence. He was deeply concerned with social inequalities, particularly the plight of the untouchables, the lowest caste in Hindu society. He championed their cause, referring to them as Har ijans, or “children of God.” He advocated for educational opportunities for women and campaigned for improved sanitation and self-sufficiency in rural India.
Gandhi’s commitment to religious tolerance was unwavering. He believed in a united India where all religions could coexist peacefully. This principle became particularly important as tensions arose between Hindus and Muslims in the lead-up to independence. mahat ma gan dhi biography in eng lish