Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi, born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, stands as one of the most iconic figures of the 20th century, revered worldwide for his steadfast commitment to non-violence, truth, and justice. His life journey from a humble town in India to the heart of the struggle for Indian independence is a tale of perseverance, moral strength, and compassion that continues to inspire millions. Gandhi was not just a political leader; he was a spiritual and moral force who changed the course of history with his principles of non-violent resistance or Satyagraha.

Born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, a coastal town in present-day Gujarat, Gandhi was the youngest son of Karamchand Gandhi, the diwan (chief minister) of Porbandar, and Putlibai, a devout and pious woman who deeply influenced Gandhi's spiritual outlook. From a young age, Gandhi was exposed to both the political world of his father and the religious devotion of his mother, shaping his early values.

In 1888, at the age of 18, Gandhi sailed to England to study law at the Inner Temple, one of the four Inns of Court in London. His years in England were formative, not only because of his legal training but also due to the influence of Western philosophy and the values of the Christian and Buddhist teachings he encountered. He developed a deep interest in vegetarianism, simplicity, and ethical living—ideals that would later come to define his life.

After completing his studies, Gandhi returned to India but struggled to establish a successful law practice. Disillusioned and seeking better opportunities, he accepted a position in South Africa in 1893. It was in South Africa that Gandhi's political and moral conscience began to crystallize.

In South Africa, Gandhi faced the brutal realities of racial discrimination. The Indian community there, mostly composed of indentured laborers, suffered under oppressive laws. Gandhi himself experienced the sting of racial injustice when he was thrown out of a first-class train compartment despite having a valid ticket, solely because of his skin color. This incident marked a turning point in Gandhi’s life, awakening him to the larger struggle against injustice.

In the years that followed, Gandhi transformed from a lawyer into a leader of the oppressed. He began advocating for the rights of the Indian community in South Africa, organizing protests and leading campaigns of civil disobedience. It was during this time that he developed the concept of Satyagraha, a philosophy of non-violent resistance based on the principle of truth (Satya) and non-violence (Ahimsa).

Gandhi's campaigns in South Africa, which included mass protests, boycotts, and hunger strikes, garnered attention and eventually led to reforms in the treatment of Indians. However, his time in South Africa was just the beginning. He had become a seasoned activist, ready to take on the much larger challenge that awaited him in his homeland.

In 1915, after spending over two decades in South Africa, Gandhi returned to India, where the movement for independence from British colonial rule was gaining momentum. Upon his return, he was already a national figure, respected for his efforts in South Africa. However, he did not immediately plunge into the political arena. Instead, he spent the next few years travelling across India, understanding the plight of ordinary people and immersing himself in the culture and struggles of the rural population.

Gandhi's first major campaign in India took place in Champaran, Bihar, in 1917, where he fought for the rights of indigo farmers who were being forced into exploitative contracts by British landlords. His success in Champaran brought him widespread recognition as a leader of the masses.

Gandhi soon became the leader of the Indian National Congress (INC) and shifted the focus of the independence movement toward non-cooperation with the British. He called for mass boycotts of British goods, institutions, and taxes, encouraging Indians to adopt self-reliance by promoting the use of Khadi (homespun cloth) and rejecting Western materialism. This strategy was part of his larger vision of Swaraj (self-rule), which emphasized both political freedom and the moral and spiritual independence of individuals.

In 1920, Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement, urging Indians to withdraw from all British institutions and refuse to participate in the colonial administration. Though it was ultimately called off in 1922 after a violent incident at Chauri Chaura, where protesters killed British police officers, the movement demonstrated Gandhi’s ability to mobilize millions of people across India.

One of Gandhi’s most iconic moments came in 1930 with the Salt March—a pivotal act of civil disobedience against the British salt tax. The British had imposed a monopoly on salt production, forcing Indians to buy heavily taxed salt even though they could produce it themselves. In protest, Gandhi embarked on a 240-mile march from his ashram in Sabarmati to the coastal town of Dandi, where he symbolically made salt from seawater.

The Salt March captured the imagination of the Indian public and the world. It was a turning point in the independence movement, galvanizing support and sparking similar acts of civil disobedience across the country. The British were forced to take notice, and Gandhi’s leadership was once again at the forefront of a peaceful struggle for freedom.

As World War II unfolded, India found itself dragged into the conflict without consultation. Gandhi and the INC demanded complete independence as the price for India's participation in the war. The British government refused, leading to the launch of the Quit India Movement in 1942. Gandhi issued a call for the British to leave India immediately, declaring, "Do or Die."

The movement saw widespread unrest, with mass protests and strikes erupting across the country. The British responded with brutal repression, arresting Gandhi and many other leaders. Despite the suppression, the Quit India Movement marked the beginning of the final phase of the struggle for independence.

India gained independence on August 15, 1947, after more than two decades of relentless struggle. However, the victory was bittersweet, as independence came with the tragic partition of India and Pakistan. The subcontinent was divided along religious lines, leading to one of the largest mass migrations in history and widespread communal violence. Gandhi, a staunch advocate for Hindu-Muslim unity, was deeply pained by the partition and worked tirelessly to promote peace, fasting to quell violence and urging people to embrace unity.

Despite his efforts, Gandhi could not prevent the bloodshed that followed partition. His dream of a united India was shattered, and he became a target for extremists who blamed him for being too lenient toward Muslims.