Mahatma Gandhi is one of the most iconic figures in India and the world. His fight for civil rights and his teachings on peace and non-violence have inspired many political and social organizations around the world. Gandhi’s life story is full of experiences and anecdotes fascinating things that led him to achieve things that seemed impossible, like the independence of India.
Mahatma Gandhi: The Father of India
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born in Porbandar on October 2, 1869, shortly before India officially became the jewel in the British crown. His family was wealthy and belonged to an upper caste.He was therefore able to access a good education.
He married at the age of 13, by arrangement of his parents, to Kasturba Makhanji, aged 14, with whom he lived in marriage until 1944, the year of Makhanji’s death. Already the father of a child, Gandhi decided to study law in London. As a condition, He promised his mother not to touch meat, wine or women.
In London, Gandhi was confronted with a harsh reality: the racism and prejudice that his fellow Indians had suffered. Although he came from a privileged class in India, The colour of his skin did not go unnoticed in England.even when wearing elegant suits.
After graduating, he went to South Africa to work as a lawyer in an Indian company. During his stay in that country, Gandhi witnessed injustice when he was accused of being ‘black’ and expelled from the first class compartment of the train he was travelling on in 1893. From then on, he convinced himself to fight against all forms of racism and colonialism, but
Activism and founding of the Natal Indian Congress Party
In 1894, Gandhi founded the Natal Indian Congress Party, an organization that sought to make public complaints of discrimination and civil rights violations to Indians by the British residing in South Africa. He also established several agrarian colonies and hospitals in South Africa and fought to abolish the caste system that divided Indians.
When the Boer War began, he was convinced that if Indians got involved and participated in the conflict as volunteers to support the British Army, they would be treated as full citizens. For this reason, He did not hesitate to enlist in a medical battalion and serve as a soldier. However, at the end of the war, the situation did not improve.
Some anecdotes
Transformation in South Africa
One of Gandhi’s most memorable anecdotes occurred during his stay in South Africa. In 1893, it was kicked off luxury train for refusing to board third class carriage because of raceThis incident was a catalyst in his life, leading him to fight against racial discrimination and develop his philosophy of nonviolent resistance. He then began to organize protests and mobilize the Indian community in South Africa, which would mark the beginning of his activism.
The diet experience
Gandhi strongly believed in the connection between food and spirituality. At several points throughout his life, he realized dietary experiments in which certain foods were deprived to better understand its impact on the mind and body. He decided to become a vegetarian at the age of 13 and later adopted a diet based on fruits and nuts, believing that it brought him closer to his ideal life. His emphasis on simplicity and moderation in his diet reflected his philosophy of life.
The salt march
In 1930, as part of his campaign against British rule, Gandhi led the famous “Salt March”. I travelled 240 miles from Sabarmati Ashram to the Dandi coast to protest the British monopoly on salt production. This act of civil disobedience not only mobilized thousands of Indians, but also drew international attention to India’s struggle for independence. The march became a symbol of peaceful resistance and demonstrated the power of collective action.
Your connection with young people
Gandhi He had a deep connection with young people and often invited them to join him on his travels. He believed that the youth were the future of the nation and tried to inspire them to take an active part in the struggle for justice. On one occasion, he organised a camp for the youth where he taught them the importance of self-confidence, responsibility and service to the community. These interactions not only influenced the youth of his time but also left a lasting legacy in India.
The end of the war
At the end of World War II, the British Empire declared that the government of the subcontinent would be transferred to the Indians. However, Gandhi did not agree with the war that was going on between Muslims and Hindus. and decided to lock himself in his residence in Calcutta.
Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on January 30, 1948 by a Hindu fanatic. who was angry with him, after he abandoned a fast that sought peace between the two communities.
Recommended Readings
Gandhi, the one with the great soul
Gandhi, an exceptional human being
