Mahatma Gandhi Ji : Early Life, Family, History

Mahatma Gandhi ji was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat. His father’s name was Karamchand Gandhi and his mother’s name was Putlibai. At the age of 13, Mahatma Gandhi entered into an arranged marriage with Kasturba. They had four sons: Harilal, Manilal, Ramdas, and Devdas. Kasturba supported her husband in all his endeavors until her passing in 1944.

His father served as the Dewan, or Chief Minister, of Porbandar, a small principality in Western British India (now Gujarat State). Mahatma Gandhi was the son of his father’s fourth wife, Putlibai, who came from an affluent Vaishnava family. His deep-rooted belief in the importance of truth was greatly influenced by the stories of Shravana and Harishchandra.

Mahatma Gandhi Ji In South Africa

In May 1893, Gandhi ji begin on a journey to South Africa to establish his law practice. However, his experience in South Africa was marred by severe racial discrimination. Despite holding a 1st class train ticket, he was denied entry to the compartment reserved for white passengers. This eye-opening and humiliating incident made Gandhi aware of the derogatory treatment faced by Indians and blacks in South Africa.I’ve remembered the text you provided.

Deeply affected, Gandhi formed the Natal Indian Congress on 22nd May 1894. He strived hard to improve the rights and conditions of Indians in South Africa. Soon he became a leader of the Indian community there. Tirukkural is ancient Tamil literature, later translated into different languages. The ancient wisdom in the book influenced Gandhi.

The concept of satyagraha drew him, and in 1906 he organized a nonviolent demonstration in South Africa to combat injustice and discrimination faced by Indians and Africans. He came back to India in 1915 after spending 21 years in South Africa. A transformation had taken place in him. The years he spent challenging the system to secure civil rights for his people, with mixed results, had bestowed upon him a renewed sense of wisdom and confidence.

Mahatma Gandhi Ji Indian Independence Movement

Back in India in 1915, he initiated the organization of farmers and urban laborers to protest discrimination. He started the Satyagraha and Ahimsa movements as a response to British colonial rule.

Gandhi non-violent approach, along with his ability to win people over with love and tolerance, had a profound impact on civil rights movements. He dedicated his life not only to India’s struggle for freedom, but also led nationwide campaigns against untouchability and poverty. Additionally, he was an advocate of women’s rights.

Major movements of Mahatma Gandhi Ji

The Champaran Satyagraha

In Champaran, the Indigo cultivators suffered due to the Tinkathia system. Under this system, the cultivators had to dedicate the most fertile 3/20th part of their land to indigo cultivation. They were forced to sell the produce at a minimal amount and incurred losses, worsened by bad weather conditions and high taxes. Rajkumar Shukla met Mahatma Gandhi at Lucknow and invited him to Champaran to help the farmers. At Champaran, Mahatma Gandhi ji implemented the civil disobedience formula against the landlord. A series of demonstrations and strikes also continued. As a result, a Champaran Agrarian committee was formed, with Gandhiji as one of the members. Eventually, the demands of the cultivators were accepted, and the satyagraha was successful.

Kheda Satyagraha

The poor harvest was causing hardship for farmers in Kheda Village, Gujarat. In 1917, Mohanlal Pandey started a campaign asking for the remission of taxes as the cultivators could not eke out a living, let alone pay the taxes due to crop failure/ poor harvest. He was unable to accomplish much, so he invited Mahatma Gandhi, who joined the movement on March 22nd, 1918. Satyagraha was initiated by him there. The movemment also had Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel and Indulal Yagnik as members. The British government finally agreed to the demand, resulting in the movement’s success.

Khilafat Movement

After the first World War, the Ali brothers began the movement as a protest against injustice in Turkey. The British government was challenged by the movement, which demanded the restoration of the Caliph’s status in Turkey. An all-India conference was held in Delhi, and Mahatma Gandhi was selected as the President of the conference. He gave back all the medals given to him by the British empire to show his appreciation in South Africa. Mahatma Gandhi became a national leader once the Khilafat Movement was successful.

Non-cooperation Movement

Gandhiji launched a non-cooperation Movement against the British after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. He understood that the atrocities and inhuman behavior would persist, and the British control over the country would not decrease. With the help of Congress, he appealed to the people to cooperate with him and convinced them that a peaceful Non-Cooperation Movement against the British was very important and needed to attain independence. The concept of Swaraj became crucial to the struggle for freedom. The British establishments and products were boycotted by the masses, and Swadeshi was used instead. Due to the Chauri Chaura incident, Mahatma Gandhi was forced to abruptly end the movement. It was unfortunate that 22 police officials were killed in the incident.

Civil-Disobedience Movement

Mahatma Gandhi Ji addressed the nation via the Young India newspaper and proposed to suspend the Civil Disobedience Movement if the British government agreed to his 11 demands. Lord Irwin, who was the head of the Indian government at that time, didn’t respond at all. The movement continued with added vigor as a result.

Legacy of Mahatma Gandhi Ji

Mahatma Gandhi Ji has had a significant influence on many international leaders throughout the world. His struggle was undoubtedly a source of inspiration for other leaders. Martin Luther King Jr., James Beve, and James Lawson are examples of these influential leaders. In addition, Gandhi had an impact on Nelson Mandela’s freedom struggle. In addition, Lanza del Vasto arrived in India to live with Gandhi.

The United Nations has honored Mahatma Gandhi by declaring 2nd October as the International Day of Nonviolence. Additionally, many countries observe 30th January as the School Day of Nonviolence and Peace.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi has received numerous awards from around the world, and it’s likely that only a few nations have not honored him in some way.

Mahatma Gandhi Ji’s Death

On January 30, 1948, while on his way to address an evening prayer meeting at Birla Bhavan in Delhi, Mahatma Gandhi Ji was shot and killed by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist. The shooting occurred around 5:17 pm and Gandhi died instantly after Godse fired three bullets into his chest.

Also Read:

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Biography
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Biography

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Mahatma Gandhi and died?

On January 30, 1948, while on his way to address an evening prayer meeting at Birla Bhavan in Delhi, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was shot and killed by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist. The shooting occurred around 5:17 pm and Gandhi died instantly after Godse fired three bullets into his chest.