Mahatma Gandhi, whose full name was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, was an influential leader and political figure in India during the Indian independence movement against British rule. He was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat, India, and people widely regard him as the Father of the Nation in India.
Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolent resistance, which he called Satyagraha, is what he is best known for.. He believed in the power of truth, nonviolence, and civil disobedience as effective means to bring about social and political change. His approach drew inspiration from the teachings of various religions, including Hinduism, Jainism, and Christianity.
Early Life Of Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, a coastal town in the present-day state of Gujarat, India. He was born into a Hindu merchant caste family, and his father, Karamchand Gandhi, served as the Diwan (prime minister) of Porbandar.
In his early years, Gandhi’s mother, Putlibai, deeply influenced him with her values and teachings. She was a deeply religious and pious woman. Gandhi’s upbringing in a household followed Jain traditions, which included practicing vegetarianism, fasting, and adhering to the principles of nonviolence.
Gandhi received his early education in Porbandar and later attended a secondary school in Rajkot. As a child, he was an average student but showed a strong moral and ethical inclination. After his schooling, Gandhi went on to study law at the University College London in England, where he developed an interest in social and political issues.
During his time in London, Gandhi faced several challenges and underwent a transformative phase. He encountered racism and discrimination, which deeply affected him and shaped his views on justice and equality. He became acquainted with various philosophical and religious ideas that influenced his thinking, including the works of Henry David Thoreau and Leo Tolstoy.
After completing his legal studies, Gandhi returned to India in 1891 and started practicing law in Bombay (now Mumbai). However, he faced challenges in establishing a successful law practice and soon accepted a position in South Africa, where he would spend a significant portion of his early adult life.
Gandhi’s experiences in South Africa, where he witnessed and personally faced racial discrimination, further fueled his commitment to fighting injustice. He became actively involved in the Indian community’s struggles against discriminatory laws, leading numerous campaigns and advocating for the civil rights of Indians living in South Africa.
It was during his time in South Africa that Gandhi developed his philosophy of Satyagraha, which emphasized nonviolent resistance and the power of truth. These principles would later become the foundation of his leadership in the Indian independence movement.
Overall, Gandhi’s family influenced his early life, he was exposed to different cultures and ideas, and he personally experienced discrimination and injustice.
Mahatma Gandhi principles and beliefs
Throughout his life, Mahatma Gandhi guided himself by several principles and beliefs.. Here are some of the key principles and beliefs that defined Gandhi’s philosophy:
- Nonviolence (Ahimsa): Gandhi’s most fundamental principle was nonviolence or Ahimsa. He believed in the power of love and compassion as a means to overcome injustice and bring about social change. He advocated for resolving conflicts through peaceful means and rejected violence in all its forms.
- Truth (Satya): Gandhi believed in the absolute truth and considered it to be the ultimate reality. He emphasized the importance of seeking and adhering to the truth in personal and public life. Gandhi believed that living in accordance with truth was essential for personal growth and societal transformation.
- Satyagraha: Satyagraha, meaning “truth-force” or “soul-force,” was Gandhi’s method of nonviolent resistance. It involved the use of civil disobedience, peaceful protests, and self-suffering to confront and challenge unjust laws or oppressive systems. Satyagraha aimed to transform the hearts and minds of oppressors through the power of nonviolence.
- Swaraj: Swaraj, meaning self-rule or self-governance, was an important concept for Gandhi. He advocated for the empowerment and self-reliance of individuals and communities. Gandhi believed that individuals could achieve true freedom through self-discipline, self-sufficiency, and the responsible use of their rights and resources.
- Sarvodaya: Sarvodaya means “the welfare of all.” Gandhi believed in creating a just society that uplifted the well-being of all its members. He stressed the importance of addressing the needs of the poorest and most marginalized sections of society and advocated for economic equality and social justice.
- Simple Living and High Thinking: Gandhi embraced a lifestyle of simplicity, frugality, and minimalism. He believed in reducing one’s material desires and living in harmony with nature. Gandhi advocated for sustainable and self-sufficient rural economies and valued spiritual and intellectual growth over material possessions.
- Religious Harmony: Gandhi respected and drew inspiration from various religious traditions, including Hinduism, Jainism, Islam, Christianity, and others. He believed in the fundamental unity of religions and promoted religious tolerance, interfaith dialogue, and communal harmony.
The Quit India Movement
The Quit India Movement, also known as the Bharat Chhodo Andolan, was a significant civil disobedience movement led by Mahatma Gandhi during India’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule. They launched the movement on August 8, 1942, with the aim of securing complete independence for India.
The Quit India Movement was a response to the failure of negotiations between Indian political leaders and the British government, as well as growing discontent with British rule. Gandhi called for the British to “Quit India” and urged Indians to engage in nonviolent resistance and disobedience to demand freedom.
The movement gained widespread support across the country, with people from different backgrounds and regions actively participating in protests, strikes, and demonstrations. The objective was to disrupt British administration and create a non-cooperation movement that would make it impossible for the British to govern India effectively.
However, the British colonial government responded with a heavy-handed approach, suppressing the movement with force. The British authorities arrested and imprisoned many prominent Indian leaders, including Gandhi. The British authorities used a combination of arrests, censorship, and violent repression to suppress the movement.
Although the British suppressed the Quit India Movement, it played a crucial role in mobilizing the Indian population and creating a sense of unity and determination in the fight for independence. It also highlighted the strength of the Indian nationalist movement and increased international support for India’s cause.
The Quit India Movement marked a turning point in India’s struggle for independence, as it brought the demand for immediate independence to the forefront and increased popular support for the Indian National Congress and its leaders. Ultimately, the movement weakened British colonial rule in India and paved the way for the achievement of India’s independence on August 15, 19.
Death Of Mahatma Gandhi
Someone assassinated Mahatma Gandhi on January 30, 1948.. He was in New Delhi, India, at the time. Gandhi had been residing in Birla House, where he held evening prayer meetings. On that fateful day, Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist and former member of the extremist organization called the Hindu Mahasabha, approached Mahatma Gandhi as he walked towards the prayer ground.
Nathuram Godse fired three shots at close range, hitting Gandhi in the chest. Despite suffering critical injuries, Gandhi did not immediately lose consciousness. Consequently, they took him back to his room, and reports state that his last words were “Hey Ram,” which translates to “Oh God” or “Oh Ram” in English.
Gandhi’s assassination shocked the entire nation and the world, leading to widespread mourning and condemnation of the act of violence. The news of his death spread rapidly, and millions of people attended his funeral procession in Delhi.
The authorities arrested and put Nathuram Godse and his co-conspirator, Narayan Apte, on trial. They convicted and sentenced them to death. They executed Godse on November 15, 1949, while they executed Apte a day earlier on November 14, 1949.
The assassination of Mahatma Gandhi was a tragic event that marked the loss of one of India’s most influential and revered leaders. Gandhi’s teachings of nonviolence, truth, and social justice continue to inspire people around the world, and his legacy as the Father of the Nation in India remains enduring.
